Winter Birding at Gooseberry
I had to great fortune to visit family in Westport, Massachusetts, over New Years— which gave me the rare opportunity to visit the ocean in winter. On two consecutive mornings, I headed for Gooseberry Neck Island, a small spit of land jutting out into Buzzards Bay.
Wind roiled waves crashed over the jetty at high tide, sending a spray of surf over the road. Fooled by the low arc of winter light brightening the day, I left the protection of the car to scope the beach for shorebirds. Gulls and sandpipers foraged in the wrack line, unearthing mole crabs and bickering over the scraps. Two resting sandpipers caught my attention, heads turned backward and bills tucked under feathers; they stood motionless for several minutes before returning to the waves. I soon retreated to the car, where it was easier to scan for birds while protected from frigid wind and blowing sand.
It’s hard to fathom how seabirds manage in winter. But there they are: gulls perched on windswept piers; tiny sandpipers dashing at the edge of each retreating wave; bufflehead, eiders, common goldeneyes, and grebes diving into heavy surf.
Though I sketched a bit on site, my down jacket, alas, proved no match for winter birds. So I finished drawing, painting, and research indoors. The map text is copied from a 1707 map and survey of the island.
Drawn In 
Best journal page yet! Awesome collection of winter jewels amid winter’s clutches! Great color. You are indeed brave to stand in the elements for your art. Thanks for posting this lovely montage! I’d better get out there!
Bundle up and go, Carole! Being out there is what inspires me most.
Jean, this posting brought back happy memories of Brigantine Preserve in NJ….thank you!
I am now on A barrier island in FL. It is beautiful in a different way.
I hope you brought some paint with you!
Gorgeous moody blues and grays. I could feel the sea air! Brrr….!
It was really bright and beautiful…but, Yes, so cold. I struggled to open the car door against the wind!
Thank you for the inspiration. Your drawings are absolutely beautiful. I hope to be able to create journals such as these eventually.
Good luck with your big creative goal for 2015…and stay in touch. The more you draw and paint, the better you’ll get.
I’ve been amazed so far by what creating art every day has done to improve my skills. Thank you so much for your reply, Jean. I’m sure this blog will inspire me time and again this year.