Birds are amazing; they can fly through trees at great speeds dodging all branches, sing beautifully and uniquely, and their colors blend in so well with their surroundings.

I've seen images of St. Francis of Assisi with small birds on his shoulders and in his open hands and have always marveled at how awesome the experience would be to have a little bird light on my open hand.

Birds are so delicately and beautifully created and I am grateful to these incredible creatures for crossing my path so I can draw and share them with you.

This particular drawing is unfinished and I did this to show how I work. Pencil lines exposed are the marks from the original layout. The unfinished light shading and lines blended softly together with the finished leaves and sparrow so magically that I knew this drawing was complete.

The title reflects my love of wonderful fall foliage and plumage of the bird.