Saturday, December 18, 2010

Spotted owl

I've always thought these owls were only found in old growth forest of northern California and the Pacific Northwest.  However, there are actually 3 subspecies of spotted owl, the smallest one found in Mexico.  The spotted owl was recorded by a Hungarian immigrant named John Xántus Janos, the same guy the Xantus's murrelet and Xantus's hummingbird were named after.  This painting was actually inspired by the rehabilitated owls I am lucky enough to observe through several rehab organizations and individuals. This painting is titled "Forest eyes, spotted owl Strix occidentalis", gouache 8"x11".

2 comments:

Selso said...

Wow Rene, it looks like it is peering into my soul. Great painting.

René C. Reyes said...

Thanks, Selso. Bird eyes, especially owls, have that ability...perhaps the reason I really enjoy painting owls.