This little dove, when I discovered her, was complacently sitting on her nest awaiting the advent of her little family. It took about 3 hours to get her picture. I first placed my tripod and camera near her little sanctuary. I then waited about an hour for her to adjust to this foreign object now in her vision, to become familiar. Then I projected myself in her vision, allowing her to become accustomed to my presence. Finally, after about three hours, I stood behind the camera and took her picture as she nervously tried to ignore me. However, my patience paid off. I was able to get several good shots of her.
Alas, the next morning. . . I discovered her feathers strewn upon the lawn. Her nest was discarded in the grass. The precious eggs, her hope and her purpose, were broken and littered at the base of the tree. She had braved a vicious attack during the night. I watched the branches the next few weeks and was releived that the couple was still with us. She and her mate had not been killed in the onslaught.
Alas, the next morning. . . I discovered her feathers strewn upon the lawn. Her nest was discarded in the grass. The precious eggs, her hope and her purpose, were broken and littered at the base of the tree. She had braved a vicious attack during the night. I watched the branches the next few weeks and was releived that the couple was still with us. She and her mate had not been killed in the onslaught.
I started this painting as a tribute to this brave little bird, a tribute to her courage in adversity and her faith to begin a new life. I placed her in the top branches above the dark tangle of limbs beneath her. She could see the sky and remember that she belonged to the One who loves many sparrows.
Her lesson is hard; her lesson is real... look to the sky, my little sparrow.
Psalm 84:3, 4, 7
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
even thine altars,
O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Psalm 84:11, 12
For the Lord God is a sun and shield:
the Lord will give grace and glory:
no good thing will he withhold from the that walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
even thine altars,
O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Psalm 84:11, 12
For the Lord God is a sun and shield:
the Lord will give grace and glory:
no good thing will he withhold from the that walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
