A Moment of Iridescence
watercolor on Cowley’s Kelmscott calfskin vellum14.5″H x 9.5″W
I am continually reminded that the only thing I can expect out in the field is the unexpected. I believe that sometimes my subjects pick me, begging to be painted. On a vacation in Costa Rica, I went out early every morning to see what I could ‘see’. One morning just after sunrise, this Black-headed Trogon flew past me perching not far away. I hurriedly started taking photos, expecting him to fly away at any second. He remained still, letting me get closer until he turned just so, catching the early morning light on his back, magic!