Another Blue heron

[Rolf]

I am in the process of making this heron and I really don't like the feet on the original design. So I played a little with some driftwood that I had.
I am still playing with the transition from the leg to the claws.
What are your thoughts.
The first is the original design, second is in the driftwood no claws, the last is my work in progress I still need to work on the claws.

[CanadianScroller]

Very nice Rolf. I like blue herons, great choice of wood and I like the driftwood too.
I agree about the feet, not sure what they need to look like
Here is a link you may like for inspiration Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve Society - Chilliwack, BC
They have a live blue heron cam.

[jigsue]

I like the third one best. I would suggest that you looked at some pics of blue herons and see what is their natural stance when poised on something like a log and work from that. Carl's webcam may be just the thing! It is never just as easy and making a slight alteration is it?
The rest is looking good - remember to show us the finished article.

Sue

[Rolf]

Sue,
I have looked at a lot of pictures. They seem to like standing on rocks or in the water.
I guess non of the photographers have a Heron foot fetish.

[greatdane2]

Maybe try making a branch with a smaller branch that goes up and covers where the feet are. That worked on an Eagle I did.

[ragiarn]

Here is a photo with at least one foot showing.
I think that the legs in the examples are this wide. I would make them thinner and drastically round them out. I would probably also use yellow heart for the legs.

Doc

[Rolf]

Doc,
Thanks for the picture, I havn't started the shaping yet.
No yellow on the legs, non of the pictures I have seen show yellow legs.

[JohnB]

G'day Rolf,
Your Heron looks like it's walking, so here's a thought.
The leg it's standing on, remove the foot, and cut a number of pieces of timber to represent ripples of water around the leg.

Something like this, well not really like that, but you get the drift I'm sure.

BTW it's looking good mate.

[Mike Crosa]

Rolf, here is a picture of a blue heron, taken yesterday at a state park close to my home. Paynes Prairie. Hope it can be of use to you.

[Rolf]

A little more work done. There are still a couple of spots that trouble me.(wood color and shape)
I will change them.
Taking closeup photos is very helpful. It shows me things that I can't see with my basement lighting.