A real whopper of a project. Ospreys.

jode hillman

Well-known member
So I spent most of April and early May, working on my largest, most intricate project to date. Is an Osprey family made For a Environmental education foundation headquarters in Somers point New Jersey.

The flying female osprey is nearly 6 feet in wingspan. The entire group of sculptures will be installed in a nesting habitat located in the Patcong center. The grand opening is for sometime late June. I am excited to be part of this great organizations outreach to the jersey shore community.

It was quite the task carving it with largely hand tools. Not to mention to tubes of oil it to to cover those wings.

I thought the DHBP would enjoy the process.

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Simply fantastic. Even better that they are going somewhere they will be appreciated by thousands rather that an individual's collection. What a great project!
 
Those are outstanding fish hawks Jode. I agree that they deserve to be in a place where many can enjoy them.
 
tod osier said:
Jode, that is super cool. What a bird, huge.

Thanks Tod, the wingspans were much larger then I thought they were. I always assumed they were closer to 42-48. That would of been on the smal side.
 
J. Overland said:
Simply fantastic. Even better that they are going somewhere they will be appreciated by thousands rather that an individual's collection. What a great project!
Thanks, I appreciate that. My sentiments exactly!
 
SJ Fairbank said:
Those are outstanding fish hawks Jode. I agree that they deserve to be in a place where many can enjoy them.

Thanks SJ. They wil have a place in the entry. So wi be in a good spot.
 
jode hillman said:
tod osier said:
Jode, that is super cool. What a bird, huge.

Thanks Tod, the wingspans were much larger then I thought they were. I always assumed they were closer to 42-48. That would of been on the smal side.

It is funny reading wingspans, some are almost unbelievable (like albatrosses at 10' plus), but even red-tailed hawks (and osprey).

I pulled up the full size photos and beautiful finish work on that bird too. The tube oils sheen don't hide any imperfections! Nice.
 
Very cool Jode,

It's great that your work is being showcased and will be in an educational setting for others to learn.
We unfortunately don't have the osprey numbers we used to have, the bald eagles have been very prosperous here and now we see dozens of them and very few osprey.
 
Jode -

That is one fantastic project, done the Old School way.

That is a fairly short period of time for so much work. How do your hands and wrists feel?[;)]


Your art & craftsmanship should bring many years of enjoyment, in a setting where many folks can appreciate it and learn.

Two thumbs way up!


Best regards
Vince
 
Jode,
Beautiful work. I suspect more than one visitor will mistakenly remark on the wonderful "taxidermy display" when viewing your work. The ceiling will need to be mirrored so that visitors can see and enjoy the feather layout on the top side of that wingspan also.
 
WOW! What a super cool piece. I bet the Environmental education foundation will be thrilled and proud to have it on display.

Eric
 
benp said:
Very cool Jode,

It's great that your work is being showcased and will be in an educational setting for others to learn.
We unfortunately don't have the osprey numbers we used to have, the bald eagles have been very prosperous here and now we see dozens of them and very few osprey.

Thanks Ben,
For the time being our eagles and ospreys seem to be co existing. However the eagles do rob them fishing quite often.
 
Vince Pagliaroli said:
Jode -

That is one fantastic project, done the Old School way.

That is a fairly short period of time for so much work. How do your hands and wrists feel?[;)]


Your art & craftsmanship should bring many years of enjoyment, in a setting where many folks can appreciate it and learn.

Two thumbs way up!


Best regards
Vince

Thanks Vince.

Haha, you?ve been there then. Ya they hurt. A little rest and a little advil and I recoup pretty quickly.
 
Huntindave McCann said:
Jode,
Beautiful work. I suspect more than one visitor will mistakenly remark on the wonderful "taxidermy display" when viewing your work. The ceiling will need to be mirrored so that visitors can see and enjoy the feather layout on the top side of that wingspan also.

Thanks Dave, I bet your right. We are probably going to make up a brass plaque or something explaining the carvings.

That?s a great idea with the mirror. I will pass that idea along.
 
Eric Patterson said:
WOW! What a super cool piece. I bet the Environmental education foundation will be thrilled and proud to have it on display.

Eric
Thanks Eric. I definitely view it as a legacy type undertaking. Not often does one get the opportunity for such a cool project for a good cause.
 
Outstanding work Jode. You've got to feel extremely happy and proud. A great tribute to a very cool bird. Well done.
 
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