Culture

The elegance of terns: First Friday Art

I have always been impressed by the elegance of terns. Terns in flight have pointed wingtips and some species have deeply forked tails. Today I’m sharing a stylized pencil sketch I did of a Forster’s tern. These wetland birds can be spotted in much of North America at certain times of the year.

Here are a few Caspian terns I saw at The Narrows in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, south of Burns, Oregon. They don’t have the black-tipped bill and forked tail of Forster’s terns, but still have the elegance of ferns.

Do you have artwork you would like to share? If so, include a First Friday Art tag on your post.

If you’re looking for something artistic to do this month, consider participating in Inktober. Create a pen-and-ink drawing every day for a month based on prompts. Fun and challenging!

SoyBend

Centered in Bend, Oregon, my blog branches out into nature, history, and art-related topics.

View Comments

Recent Posts

Best fish & chips: Foodie Friday

If you want to eat the best fish & chips in the Central Oregon area,…

2 days ago

An apple in flight: Wordless Wednesday

An apple in flight at Balloons Over Bend in 2025 Wordless Wednesday Bend Branches always…

4 days ago

High Desert Voices July 2026 newsletter

Here’s the High Desert Voices July 2026 newsletter for your reading pleasure. Lots of nice photos…

5 days ago

Glass Buttes obsidian again: LAPC

A few weeks ago, we drove about an hour east of our home in Bend…

7 days ago

Dawn’s early light: Skywatch Friday

Dawn's early light over Winter Ridge, Oregon Skywatch Friday Bend Branches always appreciates your comments…

1 week ago

Beneath the waves: Wordless Wednesday

Beneath the waves at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, Oregon Wordless Wednesday Bend Branches always…

2 weeks ago