"Hawk's Nest"
16" x 20"
Plein air Oil on Canvas
Copyright by artist, Brenda Hofreiter

This painting was created on location at Black Hammock Fish Camp in Seminole County.  It sits along the banks of the St. Johns River.  You can eat at their restaurant, rent a boat slip, fish, or hold one of their pet gators.   It is a peaceful spot to paint unless the airboat tours are underway!   This painting shows a Red Shouldered Hawk nest in the top of an old cypress tree.  The water is lapping gently along the shore making wonderful reflections of the tree in the water.  The hawks are always looking for suitable nesting sites along the river.  This old tree provided just the right spot!  While I was creating this painting, young birds occupied the nest, and the parents were busy feeding them.    I arrived back at the location one week later to finish the painting and the young birds had already fledged and were gone.  It is amazing how fast life moves sometimes!