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Bullfrog Notecard
Bullfrog (Rana catebeiana) Bullfrogs are probably the most widely distributed amphibians in North America. They are found across most of the lower 48 states into Mexico, Cuba and Jamaica. Originally, however, they were not native to the western U.S. Bullfrogs may reach up to 8 inches in length. Their overall coloration is green or grey-brown…
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Eastern Bluebird Notecard
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) The bluebird’s bright beauty and cheerful song inspire the pure joy of nature. The bluebird of happiness captures our hearts with its sunny disposition, expressive face, and humorous behavior. A species of open spaces, bluebirds benefited from both Native Americans and Europeans settlers who cleared the land for farming. They found…
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Florida Tree Snail Notecard
Florida Tree Snails (Liguus spp.) Colorful Liguus tree snails live in the tropical hardwood hammocks of Florida; primarily the Everglades Coastal Ridge and the Florida Keys. Hammocks are slightly elevated sections of land which stay above water all year allowing hardwood trees to flourish. Florida tree snails are shelled mollusks which live on the bark…
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Osprey in Flight Notecard
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Ospreys are striking birds with contrasting dark and light feathers, bright yellow eyes and a distinctive brown eye stripe. Given the nickname Fish Hawk, they are specialized in every way for fishing and need two requirements to survive: open water and a strong tree for nesting. Ospreys’ feet have pads with little…
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Osprey Notecard
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Ospreys are striking birds with contrasting dark and light feathers, bright yellow eyes and a distinctive brown eye stripe. Given the nickname Fish Hawk, they are specialized in every way for fishing and need two requirements to survive: open water and a strong tree or platform for nesting. Ospreys’ feet have pads…
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Oystercatcher Notecard
American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) Chances are you’ll hear the noisy American oystercatcher before you see it, and once it catches your attention with its shrill Bleep? call, and flashy dark and light plumage, you’ll want to take a closer look. This comical shorebird flaunts a black head, brown and white body, long pink legs, heavy…
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Piping Plover Notecard
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) The piping plover is a small shorebird named for its mellow, melodious whistle, a clear peep,peep, peep peep-lo. Compactly built with a short bill, large eyes and rounded head, this sand-colored plover has bright orange legs and a single black breast band. Once fairly common along Atlantic coast beaches, Great Lakes…
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Roseate Spoonbill Notecard
Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) The roseate spoonbill resembles a cartoon caricature with its bright pink body, red shoulders, orange tail, long pink legs, and spatulate bill. A delight to see in the wild, these gregarious wading birds feed in marshes, mudflats, and mangrove swamps. Sweeping their long, sensitive spoonbills in wide arcs from side to…
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Ruffed Grouse Notecard
We often mark the coming of spring by the sights and sounds around us: the exciting return of Canada Geese, the beauty and intoxicating scents of spring flowers, the relaxing chorus of spring peepers. We are blessed with new life, youth and energy. People who spend time in the woods recognize a thrilling spring activity…
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Scarlet Tanager Notecard
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) Adorned in flaming scarlet, with jet black wings and tail, the male Scarlet Tanager is one of the most beautiful birds of the deciduous forests of eastern North America. In contrast, the female is an unassuming olive green above and yellow below. The male’s burry song has been likened to the…
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Whooping Cranes Notecard
Whooping Cranes (Grus americana) Whooping Cranes are one of the most stately birds in the world and the rarest crane on earth. The tallest birds in North America, Whooping Cranes reach five feet in height and their wingspan spreads more than seven feet. Adults are pure white with red cheeks and forehead, and show long…
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Wood Thrush Notecard
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) In the wet, shaded deciduous woods of eastern North America, the melodious, flutelike “ee-oh-layo-lee” of this accomplished singer graces the forest landscape. Males sing frequently, especially in the morning and at dusk. Females sing a shorter version of the song when their nest is disturbed. During courtship, the female engages in…
Artist: John Sill
John was born in the coastal plain of North Carolina in the small town of St. Pauls. He received a BS in wildlife biology from N.C. State University. John got his love of birds from his Aunt Della who had an abundant interest in all of creation. His father, a talented watercolor artist and an able naturalist, gave him instruction and encouraged him in his career.
John has worked as a freelance artist and illustrator since 1971. His art has been exhibited in highly acclaimed shows and appeared in a number of books and magazines. John has been the illustrator for the Bird Identification Calendar published by the Massachusetts Audubon Society since the project began in 1980. He is the instructor in the Field Sketching and Bird Illustration Workshop for the Institute for Field Ornithology sponsored by the American Birding Association. While the subjects of most of John’s work have been birds (both real and imagined), his illustrations for his wife Cathryn’s much awarded “About” series of children’s books have expanded his art to include other wildlife.
You can read more about John Sill and his work at his website www.johnsill.com