California ATC-Valley Quail

Anybody who has spent any length of time in the west coast states is familiar with California's state bird, the California or Valley Quail. This very common bird congregates in large coveys or flocks and can be seen just about anywhere in urban or rural areas.  Quails and partridges are distantly related to domestic chickens and are, of course, very popular game birds.  Surprisingly, about a half-dozen states have wild or domestic poultry as their state birds. 

I am very happy with how this card turned out. I actually painted a black and white photo of the bird with the jpeg tools. The flower, a California Poppy, was drawn freehand with the mouse. I have discovered that drawing is easier by using the pencil tool for detail work.  It doesn't bleed like the paint tool does.  The paint tool is better suited for coloring larger areas.  The really fancy graphics were provided by a photoshop application.  This is dedicated to my second mother Shirley Burns Giron a native Angelino.  Now, it's Colorado or bust!

Source photos provided by www.scienphoto.com, www.nph.com