October - What's on your Work Bench?

Beautiful swans.

We routinely get them here along the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake. A wonderful sound as they pass over while hunting.

Interesting comment on the Mutes Jode. We had a big problem with them here until the Sateof Maryland decided to perform a "management" cull. Destroying nests and oiling eggs did not work so they resorted to lead (.22 rimfire). I was surprised and pleased that the State bucked the predicted outcry from the uninformed and did what was necessary. We don't see many Mutes now.
 
Beautiful swans.

We routinely get them here along the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake. A wonderful sound as they pass over while hunting.

Interesting comment on the Mutes Jode. We had a big problem with them here until the Sateof Maryland decided to perform a "management" cull. Destroying nests and oiling eggs did not work so they resorted to lead (.22 rimfire). I was surprised and pleased that the State bucked the predicted outcry from the uninformed and did what was necessary. We don't see many Mutes now.
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Matt, NJ did the same several years ago, but there are just too many to get them all. I am happy they tried, but i think its time for another round of "Management"
 
My friend's 50th Birthday party tonight and I rushed to finish this up for him this morning (including a quick trip to the art store for some new brushes):


 

African Blackwood with pre-ban Ivory accent caps.


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Attached my palm frond decoy with balsa wood head, it's been feather stamped. I'm from down in Australia so any advice is helpful. There are not a lot of carvers in Australia. I have learned a heap from this online community.

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Robert~

Nice bird! Your down under location makes me wonder which species it will become....

I am mostly working on a duckboat right now - but just cleaned and repaired this decorative Black Duck for an old friend:


Quintal%20Black%20Duck%201976_zpselkpsmuj.jpg


The bird was carved by Tony Quintal of Bayshore - on the south shore of Long Island. It was awarded to John Sheaff by the Great South Bay Waterfowlers in 1976. John was their Conservationist of the Year.

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John had started to repair a broken bill edge a few years ago - but the effects of age precludes him from any fine detail work. It took just a little bit to shave and sand down the filler (Tuff Carve?) John had applied. I re-painted the bill - and took a few liberties by adding a few subtle details.

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The individually-carved feathers had trapped little pockets of dust over the decades. I carefully wiped the whole bird and base with Gojo Lanolin hand cleaner and a soft rag. It looks new now - and John is very happy to have it back.

All the best,

SJS
 
Steve that is one sweet decoy. My decoy will end up being a drake chestnut teal it is one of Australia's prettiest ducks.

I will take your advice on the head I think it is two large as well.

The bill I find a challenge I am thinking of ordering a training bill if there is such a thing something I can touch

Thanks for the advice your tutorials are very good.

Cheers

Rob
 
Should have some other stuff to post after this weekend but in the meantime, here is the whale carving I was working on...

found an old brand that my father had made years ago. good thing we have the same name!




 
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