Hi Rick,
Thank you very much. Too bad about not having Ravens.Do you have Blue Jays,or Crows? There was a problem not that long ago where Ravens were hunted to near extinction.They are plentiful here in the U.P.
Frank

We have a few blue jays, but very few. Farm land is not so great for them, they prefer woods. We have a lot of crows, but they are hard to shoot. I have shot at them with a 12 gage shot gun and seen them move up a little in the air above me. Then they stay still, saying,(i guess) hahaha you can't get me. They are a pest here abouts eating the new corn before it gets up or when it is still 2-3 inches tall.

Rick Crawford at Smoky Forge

Hi Brad,
He looks like he's landing on the ground because that is what really is happening. Good eye, brother. I just thought it would be kewl if he was lighting on a branch, but in retrospect the ground landing is a better way.That's why his feet are in that position. Thank you for the mounting suggestions. I'll probably do as you suggested and try to make the re-rod disappear as best as possible.
By the way, I planted Milkweed in my garden for the Monarchs ,but haven't gotten any eggs yet. I do get lots of visitors though.
Frank

Frank,
So cool About the milk weed. I'm releasing Monarchs almost everyday. The little eating machines are devouring milkweed.
I hardly ever get them as eggs..I usually find caterpillars because of holes in the foliage. This piece has the birds relationship to the air and that captured moment in time thing going on. And all if it is communicated by the bird. Almost at the "well done" stage. Any thoughts on what's next? Brad

Hi Brad,
I put the first application of gun bluing on tonight. I'm wringing wet from the elbow grease wiping off the residue.Just the mount is left to this baby.
Next project is back to monsters. I volunteered to make a statue(?) of Big Foot for the local Moose Lodge. They have a new fund raising scheme based around Big Foot and I was approached to make the trophy. I have very little going for ideas, but would like to finish it by April 12th. I think that's the last day of the fund raising event.HELP !!!
Frank
"Well, Stanley, here's another fine mess you've gotten me into... DOH!"

Frank,
I'm inclimed to think of a ten year old on a pair of stilts equipted with big feet, or a pogo stick equipted in a similiar way. My ten year olds were real monsters in their day. Brad

Hi Will,
Thank you very much. The metal used is simply mild steel. I have treated most of it with heat from an OA torch to get a blue hue. The previous Raven was given three coats of gun bluing. I will also treat this bird with several coats of the same gun bluing. Since the Raven's natural color is basically black, the gun bluing works out pretty well.
Frank