iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Had a lot of fun with #BirbFest 2026! Ran out of umph part way through, but after drawing gryphons for 100 days straight I figured I needed a break. Here are the birds I finished this month. #BirbFest2026

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Here is the original drawing in my sketchbook and the Wingspan card from the fan art pack. I was so excited that my illustration was chosen to be made into a card.

Nuthatch drawing on a sketchbook page with a card from the Wingspan tabletop game.

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Day 23 - White-breasted Nuthatch This was a COVID drawing and one that I am rather proud of. Based on my own photo of one of the birds that nest in our yard each year. This illustration is actually included in the Wingspan fan art pack. #birbfest #BirbFest2026

A bird with a black cap perches up-side down on a rough tree surface. Drawn in brush pen and pencil.

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I still get lost in the feather layering, it is confusing. They are laid out in groups which are similar across birds, though sometimes they aren't super clear. Wings especially follow a standard structure, but come in different shapes. Good luck!

We saw the Galah and missed the Gang-Gang on our 2022 trip, both beautiful birds.

It is a tricky balance with details. I often find birds look good with less detail, or just the suggestion of detail. However, drawing all those feathers is great practice and helps you learn how they all fit together. Depends on what look you are going for too. This one looks good to me.

Day 18 - Tufted Jay This crazy looking bird deserves a slightly unhinged drawing. Quick one tonight as I catch up. #birbfest #BirbFest2026

A black and white bird sporting a messy crest with wings held high.

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We have the same orange Gamecube controller. So many fun hours sunk into that system.

They are all so cute, but I think the Toucanet is my favourite. Such a great blend of colors and awesome expression.

You can find more about BirbFest here: monkeymintaka.com/birbfest

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Day 17 - Spangled Cotinga Getting a bit behind, but still want to draw more birds. This one has amazing, bright, shiny colors that are hard to replicate. Plus I can't get that black undercolor showing through quite right. #birbfest #BirbFest2026

An electric blue/aqua bird with a magenta throat. Done with markers and ink.

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Such fantastic movement in this piece. I can almost see the bird running and feathers bouncing.

SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

You can find more about BirbFest here: monkeymintaka.com/birbfest

SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Day 16 - Eurasian Wigeon We get a few Eurasian mixed in with the local American Wigeon. The males are easy to pick out with their ruddy heads. The females are tricky, comparing head shape can be helpful for ID. Couple rough sketches to show the difference. #birbfest #BirbFest2026

Rough pencil sketches showing American and Eurasian Wigeon ducks.

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Loving your funky birbs, they have so much character.

Thank you! <3 They are both pretty colorful, especially the birb.

Honestly it is a bit painful to see those beside each other... This is why I usually don't compare the drawing directly to the reference after I'm finished.

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Here is the photo. Looking back I was super lucky to get this because my settings were not dialed in for action.

Short-eared Owl flying away from the photographer with one bright eye visible above the wing.

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Day 15 - Short-eared Owl When I first got my current camera I got a lucky shot of this owl. Almost all the shots were blurry, except this one. Quick ink and pencil drawing, not perfect. #birbfest #BirbFest2026

An owl in flight looking back over its shoulder. Ink and pencil.

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Day 14 - Silver-eared Mesia Decided to do this one as a gryphon. Silver-eared Mesia combined with Marbled Cat from the same area. #birbfest #BirbFest2026 #art

Colorful bird front combined with a leopard-like cat rear with a long, spotted tail. Drawn in ink and colored pencils.

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Day 13 - White Eared-Pheasant An eared pheasant that is white. I exaggerated the 'ear' for which it is named. #birbfest #BirbFest2026

A white pheasant with black wings and tail in pencil and ink.

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

This one is a day late. I did some sketches last night but no full drawing.

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Day 12 - Common Redpoll The name comes from the red on its head; poll comes from old words that mean head. Those red feathers are actually quite shiny if you catch them in the right light, or can appear dark/black in poor light. #birbfest #BirbFest2026

A finch-type bird perched on an angled branch. It has a red patch on its head. Media: pencil, brush pen and colored pencils.

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Here is an inside look at my process on this one. Brush pen ran out of ink part way through. It is a fairly small drawing.

Progress photo showing sketch, marker and partial inking. Brush pen with empty cartridge for scale.

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Love the Redpoll dragon, the markings and details are fantastic and that fluffy baby? Adorable!

Love how they all fit together! The eagle is my favourite.

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eBird Checklist - 24 Jan 2022 - Fisherman's Cove - 13 species

Those ones are on eBird: ebird.org/checklist/S1... A lot of my wild bird photos are on eBird (good shots and some really bad doc shots). I used to post more on FB, but have gotten out of the habit. I like to reference my own photos if I can for copyright reasons.

ebird.org

Submitted by Sarah Foote.

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Gryphon sketch from this morning.

A fluffy gryphon looks over its back with wings spread and feathered tail held high.

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Day 11 - Mountain Bluebird Sometimes art comes out meh, oh well. To think I considered breaking out my watercolors before I realized how busy today would be. I've seen the Eastern Bluebird, but never Mountain. #birbfest #BirbFest2026

Pencil drawing of a bird perched on a broken branch.

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Here is my processed scan and the prompt list for anyone who is interested.

Cleaner scan of the same purple gallinule drawing.

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Love this! They have such huge feet that this feels like a good artistic representation. The bold background is great.

SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Day 10 - Purple Gallinule We saw this lovely breeding plumage Gallinule in Nova Scotia in 2023 (lost, vagrant bird). The bird reminded us of Kevin from Up. I had this scanned, then that computer crashed, so here is a crappy phone picture instead. #birbfest #BirbFest2026

Colorful rail-type bird with huge yellow feet, blue-purple front and turquoise-green back. Markers are displayed along the left.

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Awesome! I'm so glad it arrived safely and that you are enjoying it. That was quite the project (the art and the book) and I'm very happy to be able to share it with people. Thanks for your support!

SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Day 9 - Indian Paradise-Flycatcher We saw the very similar African version on our trip to South Africa. A stunning bird. The white morph worked better for my B&W style, but the reddish one is also beautiful. Quick sketch, my hand is not steady enough for that long tail... #birbfest #BirbFest2026

Ink drawing of a bird with a crested black head, white body, and long tail feathers.

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SunCat @suncatrune.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Thanks! Now I have to keep drawing birbs, more daily drawings... phew.