Australia or Africa picture for aviary wall

[sierranomad]

I've painted my aviary, and have one wall that is 7' x 7'. It is white and looks terribly dull (I suppose it will to the birds, too - they like color).

Want to paint a background scene and I have in mind something with a lot of yellows, light browns, reds, blue. Thinking of something w/ a low horizon, deserty w/ scrub brush or flat-topped trees.

I'm not a proficient artist, and don't want to spend a lot of time on it so am planning on doing it "out of focus", again, just as a background and will put some large branches (probably manzanita) in front of it.

I'm sure I can find something that suits me on the internet or elsewhere, but thought it would be kind-of neat to have a scene taken by someone on this forum (a forum members "backyard" in my aviary ).

Anyway, I know I'm kind-of reaching here, but if anyone has an image they wouldn't mind posting for me to consider, I'd appreciate it. I know there are some good photographers amongst this group .

[CandoAviary]

Cool idea. I have palm trees in my backyard so can't help you out there

I take that back...check out Save The Gouldian Fund page. some great pictures....and while you are there, become a memeber, buy a nesting box and support the wild gouldians
http://www.savethegouldian.org/

[franny]

I think a green background of trees would be great. A natural looking setting that would show off the birds colours. Don't add too much colour, or it will detract from the birds!

[sierranomad]

Thanks for the tips, Candace and Fran.

If someone from the forum doesn't come up with one I like, then I will check out the images on the "save the guoldian" website.

Hmmm. Yeah, don't want to paint something that the birds get "lost" in.

Thanks again!

Jon

[monotwine]

hey there Jon, sorry I did not see this request. How are you going to put the pics in the cage (print em or paint them?) Just out of curiosity. I may like to do something similar with fruit tree blossoms.

... I have LOADS of pics and am more than willing to share some with you, but you going to have to be patient as I have to go look for them.
Here are some I can access quickly:
The last two of Wimbelton Park were taken by my husband, but I'm sure he would not mind.

[monotwine]

Some landscape types:

[monotwine]

Here are a few more... I think I have too many picuters to even touch on what I have to offer, so if anything tickles your fancy let me know and I will try look a little more closely for that type of pic.

[sierranomad]

Hi Monique:

Thanks for posting a nice selection of images!

You don't need to search anymore, I'll use either S6001701.jpg or RSH (4).jpg. I'm surprised how much some of those images look like the scenery around my home.

I'm not going to make a print, but rather am going to do an undetailed painting as a background (think of the image with gaussian [sp?] blur applied to it).

Thanks again Monique!!!! Maybe my birds will like being in Africa

[lovemyfinch]

Wonderful choice
Beautiful pics Monique

[monotwine]

Glad you found something you liked in that quick selection.
Its actually quite similar SA and California. Similar climates aswell.
The S6 pic is from up-country, Savanha type landscape and the RSH is from the semi-arid Karoo area about 4hrs drive from where I live, so not quite my back yard.

We actually went there to see the red stones. Its a specific formation of rock (think it was called ion-conglomerate) that interests my husband and the coolest thing is you can see where the earths crust and mantle exchange near this place. It was like having a geography lesson "live". Pretty cool. The farm is called Red Stone Hills. Really lovely place where we find a bit of peace and quiet.
PS the backdrop is of the Swartberg mountains and they were decked in snow although you can barely see it. We do get snow in SA.

It would be really great to see your finished product. As I am not a good artist, I was thinking of trying to do a print on hard-board and then to use it as the cage back drop... Or I will employ my artistic husband to make me a painted picture.
Fun decorating for the birds. Others must think we are nuts.

[CandoAviary]

I am not painting but I wouldn't mind seeing some more of those awesome scenes

[sierranomad]

Fun decorating for the birds. Others must think we are nuts.

THanks for the background info on the images! I just noticed in the "tree" image, is that a termite mound at its' base? Would be cool to add something like that to give the feeling of being somewhere other than California.

I'm not really a very good artist, either. I enjoy it, but have never devoted much time to it. That's part of the reason for making a "blurred" background. The more detail I try to include, the worse it's going to look.

So your husband enjoys geology? I do too, though don't know much. Sounds cool being able to see the earth's mantle and crust together. For similar reasons I love the Grand Canyon - you can walk through 1.7 billion years of earth's history. Amazing.

Great images! I was hoping that you would respond when I posted, because of the images you showed re: the owl. Amazing shot. Thanks again!

[monotwine]

LOl yes I would say he is into geology... I am sitting in the study which is wall to wall mineral specimens and books. I am into finches and he is into rocks. We all have our passions albeit different, so we understand each other.

Re pic. yes that is a termite mound. If you want a bigger pic to try see from, pm me your email addy and i will send it on to you in a bit of a bigger format.

LOL Candace I don't know if the forum has that much space for all my pictures (I am a bit of a happy snapper), but I will post some of my recent trip in August if you want - will place it under off topic... trundles off to resize pics....

[CandoAviary]

Thanks

[sierranomad]

Its actually quite similar SA and California. Similar climates as well.

What are your low night temps? I am in mid/northern CA in the Sierra Foothills so gets cooler than southern CA. We usually get down to high 20's a few times a year.

It would be really great to see your finished product.

OK No, I'd be glad to. Just don't expect a "Rembrandt"