A welcome sighting in the cottonwood tree next to the house today: a female varied thrush. She has remained near the house all day, alternating between basking in the sun and gleaning spilled birdseed. It’s still quite chilly, even in the sun, so she was a delightfully puffy little ball to draw.

Her warm colors–russet and ochre chest and stripes, soft duff-brown back, and yellow-pink legs–are a delight.