Back to Colorado, Part One

The finished canyon wren is now ready to paint.

A couple who now live in California recently asked me if I would create a canyon wren sculpture for them. They wanted something that would remind them of the years they lived in Colorado. I hope this bird will take them back there and help them remember the joy they felt when they saw canyon wrens on walks near their old home.

The canyon wren is a medium to large wren with a long bill. You'll find it primarily in the western region of North America on or near rocky cliffs and slopes. These birds travel alone or in pairs. They will hop over, around, under, and between rocks looking for food. Their diets consist of spiders and insects found on the surface and in crevices of the rocks. 

This project has some exciting aspects to it. The bird is a non-typical wren with an extra long bill. The rock habitat offered its own challenges with its moss and lichen.

This article is from the Summer 2010 issue. For more information on our issues, check out our issues page.