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PonderosaPower β The Dance
Published: 2011-12-02 23:08:13 +0000 UTC; Views: 1432; Favourites: 66; Downloads: 0
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Description
The Whooping Crane, Grus americana, is one of the rarest birds in the US. Like many cranes, Whooping Cranes have a distinct dance they preform as a mating ritual and bond reinforcement. I did my best to capture its splendor here.I am moving to New Orleans in February to work with these beautiful birds at the Audubon Center for Endangered Species Research.
Pen and watercolor on cardboard
2011
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Comments: 18
I have no idea why they decided to save this species. It's just another case of an ecologically worthless species being saved for its looks while more important ones die form lack of attention.
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Acepredator,
While I will not go into the argument of ecological value of Grus americana, you should realize that it is a "poster child" for conservation of American Wetlands. The average citizen does not care enough about aquatic invertebrates, native plants, fish, reptiles, amphibians, or the wetland itself to change their habits, regardless of their sheer ecological importance to the habitat and to ourselves. Education can only reach so far, so conservationists take advantage of the general public's tendency to latch on to charismatic megafauna. Efforts spent on these endangered (and often important!) animals not only protects that species, but also the habitat they share with other less admired species.
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Yes, but the fact we even need a poster child is wrong in itself.
And there are other candidates for the role that actually deserve it.
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These birds are very luminousβ¦ very nice work.Β
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You did this on regular cardboard? I have lots of boxes laying around, would those work? Also, is this the white gelpen?
I was wondering too, how do you get a job with the Audubon Research center? Thats something i would love to do. Any info on that would be great.
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This was more compact cardboard than the corrugated cardboard boxes are made of. Try the cardboard backing of a sketchbook once you have it filled up and it will work wonderfully. Yes, this is white gel pen, black pen, and then a little watercolor for filler and fluidity.
I'll message you about Audubon.
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So magnificent scene! You well captured the beauty of crane's mating dance; likewise the brown cardboard is nice touch. It reminds me of drawing from very old book. 
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Thanks for such wonderful comments everyone. This is one of my favorite pieces so it means a lot.
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Whooping Cranes is having a mating dance.
That's so romance and beautiful!
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This is beautiful!! Did you find it easy to work on cardboard??
I hope you're having fun helping out these amazing birds
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Thank you! The cardboard took the ink and gel pen wonderfully with beautiful contrast, but I imagine if I nitpicked too much with the watercolor, like went over the same areas thoroughly without drying in between, the cardboard would start to rub away. What I used was that highly compact stuff that backs a lot of sketchbooks. I will definitely use it again.
I have been working with the cranes for almost two weeks now, and it has been so rewarding already. Expect more bird-art!
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I was thinking the same thing with the whole overuse of watercolor in one area idea. But I thought you were using regular cardboard, hahaha!I will definitely try this out though!!
I'd love to work with the cranes and I bet it's fun too!
Can't wait to see the art!
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