One of the most entertaining things about going fishing is being on the ocean and watching the sea gulls and pelicans flying around.  They of course are always hoping to eat your bait fish, but they follow the boats around and it's pretty interesting to watch them fly behind you.

One of the suggestions I received recently for my October painting a day is a Blue Heron.  I mentioned that I was looking for photo reference, and was promptly sent three images, she lives near the other coast (Atlantic) and watches these birds float around the air and skim the water all of the time, and I was given permission to use any of the images she sent.  I chose this one:

4 x 8 Blue Heron Daily painting #8

Most of my daily paintings will be 5 x 5, or 5 x 7, I might use some 6 x 6 also.  The reference for this fit best and accentuated the skimming over the water in this size, and I had one already. There is glare in the dark areas that does not show up on the painting in person, but since I have bankers hours and seem to be finishing my daily painting later I can't take a photo of it without some of that glare. 

If you have a picture you took that you can send me, I may paint it, especially not cows but of course that's good too.  I will not expect you to purchase it so get those suggestions in!