Snowy and the Seven Storks
by AnnaJo Vahle
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Dimensions
36.000 x 24.000 x 1.500 inches
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Title
Snowy and the Seven Storks
Artist
AnnaJo Vahle
Medium
Painting - Acrylic On Canvas
Description
Snowy and the Seven Storks
A flock of Florida Wood Storks sat around after feeding in a near-by lake in Black Point on Merritt Island. I thought it a comical sight as it was the first time that I had ever seen them in that position. Their legs shot out in front of themselves. I had heard that they are sometimes called Preacherbirds because of their so-called dignified and solemn personalities. They didn't look dignified at all as they sat.
When a beautiful little snowy egret walked by them, they all stood except for one. They fluffed up their feathers and seemed miffed with the pretty interloper. One of them actually attacked the little bird! The other storks stepped between the nasty tempered stork and the egret. They did it in such a quiet dignified manner that I laughed out loud.
The yellow footed beauty stuck his chin up high and strutted over to the sitting stork, who looked like a regal king on a throne. The other storks continued to guard the little egret even as the bully was obviously upset. It looked as if he had a real attitude!
I began this painting while I have been suffering mightily with my multiple sclerosis. My symptoms were making my life totally miserable. I thought of my disease like that bully of a stork. I imagined myself as the little egret trying to be brave and fit in.
The striking, long-legged Wood Stork lives in colonies in cypress and mangrove swamps in the southeastern United States. It frequently flies in flocks, alternately flapping and gliding, or soaring on thermals to great altitudes. North America's only native stork, it is sometimes called "ironhead" or "flinthead" for its featherless, dark-skinned head.
Wood Storks measure three feet in length, weigh over five pounds and have a wingspan of five feet. They fly with their long necks and legs extended. Their plumage is white except for the short tail and primary and secondary flight feathers, which are black with an iridescent sheen. The unfeathered head and upper neck are covered with rough, scaly, dark gray skin. The long bill is stout, curving slightly downward at the end. Males are larger than females, but the sexes are otherwise alike. Immature birds are grayish, with dusky head feathers and yellowish bills.
Because of the appearance of the head and upper neck, the wood stork is sometimes called flinthead or ironhead. Other common names are wood ibis and gannet, although wood stork now is the accepted common name.
In flight, the wood stork can be recognized by its size, contrasting white and black plumage, and its habit of flying with neck and legs extended. Wood storks walk on land by using a high- stepping gait, much as they do in water.
Among the most elegant of the herons, the slender Snowy Egret sets off immaculate white plumage with black legs and brilliant yellow feet. Those feet seem to play a role in stirring up or herding small aquatic animals as the egret forages. Breeding Snowy Egrets grow filmy, curving plumes that once fetched astronomical prices in the fashion industry, endangering the species. Early conservationists rallied to protect egrets by the early twentieth century, and this species is once again a common sight in shallow coastal wetlands.
The exquisite Snowy Egret is one of North America's most familiar herons, having staged a rapid comeback after protective legislation was enacted in the early 1900s. Found throughout the Western Hemisphere, these wading birds are delicately built, with snowy white feathers, black legs, and bright yellow feet, which they use to actively stir up prey in the shallow waters of ponds and marshes.
This slender, medium-sized heron has white plumage, a slim black bill, long black legs, and vivid yellow feet. It stands about two feet tall, weighs 13 ounces, and has a three-foot wingspan. Males are slightly larger than females. During the breeding season, adults are adorned with long, delicate plumes on their heads, necks, and backs; their yellow feet and lores (the bare skin between the eyes and bill) become redder.
Uploaded
April 27th, 2014
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Viewed 2,422 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/27/2024 at 1:08 AM
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Comments (68)
Gary F Richards
Excellent shorebird composition, lighting, shading, lovely colors and artwork! F/L voted
Kathy Crockett
Great painting, title and story AnnaJo! Very cool to get so much information about the various species culture! I always enjoy the insights you pass along with your lovely windows into a beautiful piece of this country! L/F
Gary F Richards
Outstanding beach bird composition, lighting, shading, color and artwork! F/L voted for this piece in the contest BIRDS ON THE BEACH!
Gary F Richards
Congratulations on your Top Finish in the BEAUTY AND THE BUZZZ BLOG SERIES - ALL MEDIA- PLE...contest!
Gary F Richards
Spectacular composition, lighting, shading, colors and artwork! F/L …voted for this piece in the contest BEAUTY AND THE BUZZZ BLOG SERIES - ALL MEDIA- PLE...
Conni Schaftenaar
Great painting, AnnaJo, and I totally love your title! I also learned a lot about these wood storks reading your description! I'm also glad that painting this beautiful piece provided you with a way to stand against your disease - very inspiring! L/F
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #8 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist.
Robert Bales
Very nice painting AnnaJo!! So creative by adding the egret!! v/f/t Congrats on reaching the 1000 milestone!
Christopher James
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group l/f/p
Henryk Gorecki
Wonderful,moody painting,AnnaJo!Beautiful blue tones,perfect light,fantastic group of storks!)L,F
Debbie Portwood
Fantastic work AnnaJo! The little Egret looks a little worried! After all he is really outnumbered by these big guys!! :D f/l/t!! :D