For the last eight years I’ve travelled to sketch and paint this tree of birds– setting up in a swamp in S Carolina then later using my sketches in an attempt to recreate the experience of amazement and awe watching these various birds return to their tree at twilight.

Both paintings were inspired by a single nesting tree in this cypress-tupelo swamp that was continually animated by a stunning profusion of birds including Great White Egrets, Great Blue Herons and dark iridescent Anhingas –nesting and interacting together.

As the nestlings grew they increasingly exercised their magnificent wings – at times creating the illusion that the tree and/or their spirits could lift off.