Two years ago, on a hike at Quicksilver County Park, I had 20 minutes alone on the trail with this diminutive bird flying around me, catching bugs, swooping and diving, sitting for a moment, then flitting about again. It was magical. He didn’t mind my presence at all. I felt so connected to the bird and the place in that moment.
Every time I see the photos I took, and when I try to capture him in a painting, I feel that joy and awe all over again.

White mat with black metal frame