Scribble Picnic. . . . . . . Bird

There are birds, and then there are BIRDS! 

Watching birds in flight brings much joy, but the flightless
 species are certainly interesting in their own way. . . . . . .and 
they're great to hang out with because they don't fly away! 

My rendition of the King penguin - photo edited to a sketch and colored with
 watercolor pencils.

Some of you may already know that I'm a huge bird lover. Sharing my own (well I like to think they're mine) garden birds keeps me busy. I spend an inordinate amount time at the cottage windows. A camera is usually at the ready to capture my colorful feathered friends nibbling at the feeders, bathing in the bird baths and fountain, building nests in springtime, snuggling down in my withered brown Boston ferns in hanging baskets all winter - I don't have the heart to take them down as the Carolina wrens sleep in them nightly - yes, birds take up much of my time! 

I'm not an official 'bird watcher' but have tagged along with authentic birders who often appear in organized groups on expedition ships, sailing to out of the way places on the planet, especially far off islands and coastlines in search of rare seabirds and such. Their excitement at seeing a new to them bird is fun, and they are happy to share all the facts with we neophytes nearby who can't tell one of those huge ocean going birds from another. 

Hard for me to choose a bird to share for Michael's Scribble Picnic theme today - I have so many special ones. I decided to go with the penguin because fewer people see them their true habitat. Found on the Southern Ocean islands such as HERE on South Georgia Island - one of the most incredible places on earth by the way - where I photographed this magnificent bird, along with many more species of penguins on the actual Antarctic Peninsula. . . . . . . penguins in the thousands are a sight to behold. 

The true South Pole location is the only place to view Emperor penguins, the largest of all - sadly I've not quite made it there and doubt I ever will! 
This is my original photo of the sleek King penguin, second largest to the Emperor penguin  - I'm sure you'll agree he's gorgeous!

Hope you join us at Michael's for this week's Scribble Picnic - I know there will
be some beautiful, perhaps unusual, birds to view.