Lawrence's Goldfinch
11" x 14"
oil on canvas
Lawrence's Goldfinches are the least common of the three North American Goldfinches. And of the 7 species in the Carduelis genus only the Hoary Redpoll is more difficult for the birder to tick on his life list.
I saw my first Lawrence's in the California foothills near Beale Air Force base.
They are mostly restricted to California or Baja California and migrate only relatively short distances.
They generally prefer the drier weedy areas in the foothills, valley and along the edge of the desert. These three are shown in variations of their breeding plumage, winter would find them duller and more brownish.
The plants on the right are mostly fiddleneck, a Lawrence favorite food along with other small seeds.
I love seeing what you're doing with oil and wish I could see it in person. That's really neat how the birds hang sideways like that. I also like the purple against the green.
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