WesDotPhotography

01/26/2025

As promised here is the snowy owlet video. Cutest little headbobs. 🦉

01/25/2025

How quickly these babies grow! First images were taken in July 2023 and the last were taken in late September 2023. These Snowy Owl chicks were at the Oregon Zoo. The parents had arrived in early 2023 and it was thought the female was maybe too young to breed. But the pair surprised everyone with 5 baby owlets.
Tomorrow I will post a video of one of the baby owlets doing the sweetest little head bobs!
Snowy Owls are mostly found in the Arctic tundra but have occasionally come as far south in the winter as the Northern most states in the United States.
The snowy owl is a large, white owl that are found Arctic regions in North America and Eurasia. The males at maturity are mostly all white with females have more areas of black. They are diurnal meaning they hunt during the day. The yellow eyes are also a sign that these birds hunt during the day. The darker colored eyes of owls indicate they are nocturnal hunters.

01/25/2025

In 2023 the people in Tualatin, Oregon, USA had the rare pleasure of seeing a black swan in a nature reserve. I spent many days there looking for this beauty and quite often found it. It was pretty easy to spot as it was the only black swan there. After the trail closed for the season it was not seen there again.
The black swan (Cygnus atratus) is a large waterbird, a species of swan which breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of Australia. Within Australia, the black swan is nomadic, with erratic migration patterns dependent on climatic conditions. It is a large bird with black plumage and a red bill. It is a monogamous breeder, with both partners sharing incubation and cygnet-rearing duties.

01/24/2025

The Mandarin duck was once widespread in East Asia, but large-scale exports and the destruction of its forest habitat have reduced populations in eastern Russia and in China to below 1,000 pairs in each country; Japan, however, is thought to still hold some 5,000 pairs.
Specimens frequently escape from collections, and in the 20th century, a large, feral population was established in Great Britain. There are Mandarin ducks in North America and there are distinct, free-flying and reproducing populations in several locations in the US right now, including multiple locations in California, Florida, North Carolina, and more.
I was lucky enough finding several escapees from 2019 through 2023 in several places in the Pacific NW. Here are a couple of them.

01/23/2025

How about some Short Eared Owls in flight as a follow up to them on perches and chirping? Here are some of my favorite of them in flight. I have many many more but these are my favorites.

01/21/2025

What an incredible sunrise we all had this morning! I was still working on doing a timelapse but with the second camera got THIS! It's a 5 vertical shot merged into this panorama view as it was too wide to get it all in one shot.
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/wes-and-dotty-weber?tab=artwork

01/21/2025

There is nothing as awesome as hearing a short eared owl calling and rousing! Turn on the volume to hear his chirps.
Thanks for watching and feel free to share this cuteness!

01/20/2025

Good morning all! It took several very cold hours waiting and hoping for the Short Eared Owl to appear. The sun was very close to setting but gave some nice light when this one finally appeared.
If you enjoy these please comment, like and share the images if you would like. I love to hear what others think of my photos. Just please remember to only share and not copy the images.
Thanks again for stopping by!

01/06/2025

01/06/2025

Another beautiful piece of art using one of my reference images!

Meet the Lilac-breasted Roller! 🌈✨ This colorful beauty feels like it leapt straight out of a dream. Honestly, when I first saw this bird photo I thought it wasn’t real. Based on a stunning photo by , I wanted to capture every vibrant detail—from its iridescent feathers to the soft sky background. Balancing so many colors took time (and patience), but it was worth it! 🎨

I started this at for National Bird Day. Painted with QoR watercolors in an palette with my A6 Hot Press sketchbook using Aquash brushes.

🌟 Did you know these birds are native to sub-Saharan Africa and are often called “flying rainbows”? These birds are known for their acrobatic courtship displays. Males perform daring dives and loops in the air to impress potential mates, showing off not only their flying skills but also their stunning plumage in motion!

I am now working with as an affiliate so use the code MIKEART10 for 10% off your next order with Art Toolkit via their web site.

12/31/2024

Check out this incredible piece of artwork using one of my reference images.
Incredible talent here!

Meet this majestic Eurasian eagle owl, brought to life with graphite and inspired by a stunning reference image by ! 🦉✨ Crafted with a mix of tools—from Graphgear 1000 pencils (.3 mm - 2B, .5 mm - 4B), blending stumps, and makeup brushes—this piece traveled with me. Largely done at , a little detail in a pharmacy, and finished the background at home trying to cover up the finger prints the graphite powder exposed.

I love owls and if I spot one I try to stay at a distance and never bait them to get a better photo. It is magical seeing any owl in person.

Did you know these owls are known for their piercing orange eyes and powerful flight? Perfect for capturing their wild elegance in monochrome.

12/14/2024

LOOKING FOR SOME AFFORDABLE CHRISTMAS GIFTS?

Besides my metal prints that are hung on the walls at Red Trillium Gallery I also have more affordable matted prints available. I have 8x10 prints in a 11x14 mat for $45 and 12x18 prints in 18x24 mats for $55.

Red Trillium Gallery @ 373 East Historic Columbia River Hwy Troutdale, OR is open daily, 10-5:00, in the East end of historic downtown Troutdale, Oregon.

I will be in the gallery on Saturday, Dec. 21st from 10am to 5pm and would love if you pop in, say hi and look around at all the amazing art works that we have. And if you can't make it on that day there is always someone there daily except Christmas day.

11/29/2024

BLACK FRIDAY SALE IS ON NOW!!

Friday, November 29th and Monday, December 2nd
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25% Off Wall Art (Canvas Prints, Framed Prints, Posters, Wood Prints, Metal Prints, Acrylic Prints, and Tapestries)

The promotions begin at 12:00 AM Eastern U.S. time and end at 11:59 PM Eastern U.S. time on the specified dates.

Just click on the link below and have fun shopping!! If you need help or have questions please just ask. I am happy to help.

And Thank You so much for your continued support!!

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/wes-and-dotty-weber

11/18/2024

Every time I shoot something I learn so much by trial and error. I learned a lot from this shoot! Large thanks to Mary!!
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the Fly Agaric, is a red fungus recognized worldwide for its distinctive red cap adorned with white spots. This striking appearance has made it a popular symbol in fairy tales (usually accompanied by a toad) and video games.
When young, the fly agaric appears as a white egg emerging from the ground. As it matures, the cap breaks open the egg and expands to a vibrant red cap that grows up to 8 inches wide. The cap starts out rounded, then gradually broadens and flattens as the fungus matures. It is covered with cottony white patches that look like warts; these sometimes wash away in heavy rain. The gills beneath the cap are white, as is the stem.
This red fungus is widely spread across the globe and is typically found in both deciduous and coniferous forests. It is toxic but not deadly. Some people consume it hoping for a fantastical hallucinogenic experience, but more often, it brings unpleasant gastrointestinal distress and not much fun.
It contains psychoactive compounds like muscimol and ibotenic acid, which can lead to hallucinations and other neurological symptoms. Ingestion can lead to severe symptoms like vomiting, delirium, and even coma.
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/fly-fly-agaric-wes-and-dotty-weber.html