Once in a Lifetime Sighting
Have you ever had a wildlife sighting that is likely to be the only one you’ll ever have of that species? For me, these have typically been extraordinary moments: a California condor soaring below me while hiking the steep cliffs to Angels Landing at Arches National Park; walking past a field of Tule elk in the dark at a campground in the Redwoods in California; coming upon bobcat kittens playing in the road by our house. And last week, I discovered a wood turtle larger than my hand eating a mushroom in our yard. That may not seem extraordinary, but I’ve never seen one—and for good reason. They are declining across their range—by as much as 50 percent over the last 100 years– and are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN). These encounters are always memorable, whether or not you sketch them, but I’m so glad I did.
Tips and Techniques– Keep your eyes open! I spied this turtle while in the car heading out our driveway for the store. I wasn’t sure I’d have time to get my sketchbook, so I snapped a few photos. Good thing: it soon made its way back across the driveway for the wooded stream that borders our property. Painting this took lots of patience and was one of the most complicated things I’ve ever drawn. While the drawing is largely covered in the end, it served as a valuable roadmap. Click on the image below to see my process from drawing to adding layers of paint. (Materials: Micron 005 pen and watercolor in Handbook Co. 140lb Watercolor Journal)
Drawn In 
Once-in-a-lifetime encounters! Wow, you’ve listed a few that are truly remarkable, and I’d wager a bet your complete list is quite lengthy. But that Wood Turtle encounter in your yard, no less, must top even the CA condor at the Arches NP!
Your drawing and painting are incredible. The accuracy and precision work with such a detailed and ornate carapace is mind blowing. I can only imagine the patience, but how fun. Do you find this kind of drawing meditative? Was it tempting to leave the drawing in B&W? Your process photos when moving from drawing into watercolor to the final painting enhanced, to the nth degree, the detail.
I’m thinking habitat loss is playing a big part to the Wood Turtle’s endangerment? Probably and unfortunately collected as pets? Such a magnificent reptile! Bravo! Thank you so much for sharing your beautifully rendered illustration Jean.
Hi Barb- Habitat loss and cars have not done the wood turtle any favors. My list of once-in-a-lifetime encounters is actually quite short, but certainly memorable. I’m grateful for every one. It was meditative to draw this, but also slow going. I wasn’t tempted to stop at the drawing, but I’m glad I scanned it at that stage. I’m sure you have some cool encounters, too…it makes for a good dinner conversation.
This one is absolutely stunning. So well rendered.
Thanks so much, Carole!
I do adore mine and will gift my land to a turtle rescue here in NH.
I’m also grateful to live in a place with such good habitat. It’s a privilege.
Soooo cool. Lucky you. I love these wildlife sightings, too
It’s always such a thrill when you have one of these encounters. You know right away that it’s a special moment.
Wow, what an amazing drawing and painting of the wood turtle Jean! Thanks for sharing your process with us. You are always inspiring.
Thanks Avery! I’m glad I took those process shots along the way. I thought it might help to show the paint layering. Stay inspired!
Amazing work (and discovery!). Many years ago, some neighborhood school kids were walking by our house, pointing and looking at something in our yard. Turns out it was a giant turtle! Never had time to find out what kind because a neighbor quickly “rescued” it and brought it to a nearby stream.
Cool! I didn’t want to pick this up– and there was no need to other than curiosity about the underside– but it moved surprisingly fast.
My most favorite work of all that I’ve seen you do! What a gorgeous piece. And seeing how it evolves is fascinating. Thank you for sharing this.
How nice to hear, Beth!
So wonderful in so many ways, Jean – from the sighting to quick action capturing with your camera, and then the patient capturing with your creative tools. Fantastic 👏
Some sightings just deserve to be captured, lest they fade. I’ve only drawn a turtle once before and this was way more complex. If I did it again if it might go more quickly now that I’ve studied it, but I’m happy to just have this one.
What a spectacular honoring of this creature! Magnificent.
Well deserving!
Lovely work. I always enjoy seeing your process and hearing about what you’re thinking about as you observe the world and do your paintings. I live in a very rural area of the eastern Sierra Nevada region in CA where wildlife encounters are readily available. It always feels like a great gift to wander through the high desert and rugged mountains and see what is there.
I love the high alpine areas of the Sierra Nevada, but it’s been many, many years since I’ve been there. I’m glad you enjoy being in those wild spaces.
Beautiful drawing. It’s always something special when we get the rare opportunity to see a unique creature.
Isn’t it? Very memorable.
Thanks Jean. It’s helpful to see your step by step process.
Richard– I owe you an email!! Too much going on here. Thanks for sending me your note and artwork!
What wonderful sightings. I love the turtle, but the bobcat kittens! Amazing. I recently went to the Galapagos so I know exactly what you mean. The world is an amazing place.
I’m sure you had some once-in-a-lifetime experiences there Lisa! And yes, the bobcat kittens were a real treat! Surprised them (and they surprised me) one early morning right in the road almost in front of our house! Never seen again.
Greetings from Queensland, Australia! Lovely drawing…it reminded me of about 50 years ago when I was swimming off the ocean side of Bribie Island, and a turtle swam right past me! It was about the size of a 22-litre bucket. The whole encounter was only a few seconds, but I still remember it!
Wow! How cool! Unforgettable.
Amazing rendering!
Hi Robin– How many of these types of sightings have you had? Dan and I counted up…maybe less than 10…several from our expedition years.
Hi Jean — I’ve been thinking about this during my recent week on the Maine coast and two things come to mind. I met my first tomato hornworm this summer. Spectacular creature! And the others have to do with raptors. I watched pair of osprey catch fish after fish in a cove in Little Compton, RI. And here in Jaffrey, a hawk with a wriggling snake in its talons passed right in front of my windshield— eye level— blew my mind and inspired a poem.
Thanks for giving this some thought and sharing your sightings. “Inspired a poem” is excellent! I imagine encounters with a tomato hornworm wouldn’t make many people’s lists…glad it’s on yours!
Jean he is beautiful ! What a complicated task but you will have him to gaze at in case he doesn’t visit again. I loved those bob cat kittens you did they were having such a playful kitten adventure. Have you seen them around as adults? Thanks for sharing such a treat. Cheers Georgia
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Georgia- I never saw the bobcats again, which is why the kitten sighting makes my “once in a lifetime” list. No sign of the adults either.