Bird of the week #14 & #15(2.4-15.4.07)

A prairie chicken I did for myself a LONG time ago, yet to be finished, Man I hate finishwork even when it's on my own birds.!!

 

very nice bird wingman!!!

 

Latest from AK, a great-horned owl for the Fish and Wildlife Learning Center and a California Quail still in progress.


Rich

 

Great looking birds Rich! Are you going to Reno?

 

First time to post on here, so go easy. This bird isn't dry yet. I don't like the wing open that much but this is what the customer wanted.

 

NICE WORK
OWL,DUCK,,CHICKING AND EXT.....

 

Here's some northern shoveler's i did this weekend...

 

here's the hen's beak...i still have to finish that drake's

 

i hate the finish work to

 

here is a pintail from Arkansas 2006

 

HEY BIRD TAXIDERMISTS,

iN REFERENCE TO ALL FLYING MOUNTS, WHEN THE WING EXITS THE BODY ANGLE IT MORE TOWARD THE HEAD ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 30 DEGREES. IT GIVES THE WING A MORE REALISTIC APPEARANCE. WHEN THE WING EXITS DIRECTLY PERPENDICULAR OR TOWARD THE REAR OF THE BIRD THE RESULT IS ODD AND TAKES AWAY FROM THE QUALITY OF THE MOUNT. ANGLES ARE EVERYTHING IN BIRD TAXIDERMY. THERE IS AN ELASTIC TENDON THAT RUNS ALONG THE INNER FIRST SEGMENT OF THE BIRD WING THAT ALLOWS RETRACTION IN FLIGHT AND CONSERVES ENERGY FOR THE BIRD. IN FACT THE WING NEVER FULLY EXTENDS ITS WING, EVEN ON TAKE OFF THERE IS STILL A SLIGHT CONCAVE APPEARANCE ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE WING. CHECK IT OUT WHEN YOU SKIN YOUR NEXT DUCK, THAT TENDON LOOKS LIKE A RUBBER BAND AND ACTS IN MUCH THE SAME MANNER.

 

Here's a ruffed grouse I just finished. Its mounted with no body--just a wire framework and chopped excelsior.

 

Great job on the Prairie Chicken in particular. They are a pain to get right. Obviously you had good reference.

 

from last year, hope it works

 

My latest

 

here is parts of a bird....

 

I am new at this, can someone tell me how to post photos.