The "Before and After" Thread.

the only thing that jumps out at me,is when I had large bass in an aquarium they would go up for food at an angle but when food was below them they almost allways got "level" or only slightly angled down to attack,they would never chase at such a downward angle...the composition and detail look outstanding!

 

Was going for the Drama and effect.....lol. Notice it seems the gill doesnt have a clue its about to get eaten. Guess I mounted Robo-bass. Thanks.

 

you did balance the composition very well...yeah hes in for a surprise

 

Before...hen mallard mounted about 1968...one of my first ducks

 

After...black duck mounted in 2010....

 

before

 

after

 

arctic fox, shot with a .243 (no idea why)


and finnished

 

Byrdman.... Nice up grade from 1968. I can remember when the first thing I started mounting was ducks, because I had plenty at the end of hunting season. Now mine have improved but not to the extent yous have...... Nice looking work.

 

Getting through washing all the Mexico birds and this one was a real headache. I knew skinning it down there it was going to be a real treat, but it had a cool odd coloration. Not thinking I didn't bring home a replacement hen Mexican duck incase this one went to crap.

Well it did, very odd fat, alot of it and very firm. While wheeling it would not liquefy like I'm used to almost turned into a paste. Simple hot water didn't touch it, it would turn into a film on my hands. After wheeling I stiched together some tear to keep it from getting worse while washing. Didn't help, and here's what I ended up with. Normally I would have just said heck with it I'll get another. Not exactly a easy cheap option this time. I think it came out pretty well so far.

After this I'll gladly take back the pinfeathers tree ducks!!!

 

Re: The "Before and After" Thread.

Wood duck hen

Before



After

 

brook if you kep rubbing and dusting the skin with borax when skinning you wont have that greaseball...and Rich..thanks for the compliment..wish I could get my picture problems figured out......I didn't have many ducks to practice on unless dad went hunting...but had plenty of backyard birds...bluejays,grackles,robins,red wings,doves,nighthawks,with my trusty Crossman pellet gun

 

Re: The "Before and After" Thread.

Pat, that pic was right after I skinned it. Was just showing the pin features. And you are correct about the borax while skinning. It does look shiny, I don't remember it being super greasy? Maybe the flash did it.

Hope you get the photo upload figured out soon. Looking forward to your tutorial.

 

A trick I learned over the years is as you're fleshing birds, I load the skin with fine cattle salt as I'm fleshing. I continuely add salt to the skin thru the fleshing process. It not only toughens the skin as your fleshing but preserves it as it dissolves into the skin. Not to mention helping to get rid of the slimmy grease.

 

try borax///I don't want any salt anywhere near a bird skin.....

 

Not a taxidermy B and A, but I spent about a year working on it.
Day I brought her home. Non-running, and sitting for an unknown number of years.


Road legal, looking like an Oreo cookie.


After:

 

NICE!!!!!!!!

 

Not much of a mammal guy, but here's one for me

 

Re: The "Before and After" Thread.

This is my 5th duck and each one gets a little better and so does my confidence. Seeing the birds posted my KMA, Mire, and soooo many more makes push harder for a perfect mount and do it consistently. Its just one of many hobbies and a great filler between hunting and fishing seasons. I carved 30 foam diver decoys last summer and this guy was my first bluebill hunting over them.

 

Re: The "Before and After" Thread.

Before