i was waiting for someone to start the July workbench thread. Being that it hasn?t started yet, I hope that you don?t mind me initiating it. I completed this canvas Barrows Golden Eye for a friend in PEI that my son and I had the pleasure hunting with last season. We both went there hoping to harvest a BGE and we were successful. I decided to make him this decoy to show my appreciation for his generosity and hospitality. Arguably my best canvas decoy to date.




Cheers,

Mike
Barnegat Bay Waterfowlers

Sedge Island Gunning Decoys

Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Great job on the decoy. I bet it looks even better in the water.

Tom

Nice work Mike! For me some miscellaneous divers, some geese and a pair of woodies...




Pat Gregory
Illinois Waterfowler and Decoy Maker
Duckboat Page Member since 2006

"And when a flock of bluebills, pitching pondward, tears the dark silk of heaven in one long rending nose-dive, you catch your breath at the sound, but there is nothing to see except stars. This same performance, in daytime, would have to be looked at, shot at, missed, and then hurriedly fitted with an alibi."
Aldo Leopold in Sand County Almanac

Teal decoy. One of 9 for this upcoming teal season. Was going to finish the whittling this evening however the freedom decided to throw in the towel...so on to paint for the others

I note that you are also dabbling with some cork. Question-does the bottom board indicate that the body might be hollow?
george@runamuckdecoys.com

The bottom board on that one serves two purposes...i didn't have enough height for my pattern on that remnant of cork without it ....and since I had to have a board , I am going to hollow

Seal it well amigo!
george@runamuckdecoys.com

Don't worry amigo..she's getting 2 coats of linseed oil followed by Ronan primer



Quit shaking that head lol

Finished base coating 7 of the 9 teal bird rig. Gotta wait on foredom parts to finish carving.

hope you finally found yourself a leather apron!!!!!
Good start
george@runamuckdecoys.com

Full round Palimino.



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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Beautiful work again this month by everyone!!
I?ve Been busy remolding the house ( almost done)
I did pick up a few new toys and just playing for now. Hopefully next month I?ll have some bull silverbacks done to post up

 Painting on some blue wing teal pickleweed decoys...



Pat Gregory
Illinois Waterfowler and Decoy Maker
Duckboat Page Member since 2006

"And when a flock of bluebills, pitching pondward, tears the dark silk of heaven in one long rending nose-dive, you catch your breath at the sound, but there is nothing to see except stars. This same performance, in daytime, would have to be looked at, shot at, missed, and then hurriedly fitted with an alibi."
Aldo Leopold in Sand County Almanac

Hello all,

Quieter this month than some others - but some good work nonetheless. Personally, I'm spending more time in the boat (Lake of the Woods is a half hour away) which results in less shop time. On the windy days I'm still working on some birds. This ringer just came off of the paint bench.



A redhead is in the on-deck circle - just glued him up after hollowing and sealing.

Joel

Nice ringer Joel!

Sealing up some cork ringers, spoonie and mallard preeners and a scaup deadmount...




Pat Gregory
Illinois Waterfowler and Decoy Maker
Duckboat Page Member since 2006

"And when a flock of bluebills, pitching pondward, tears the dark silk of heaven in one long rending nose-dive, you catch your breath at the sound, but there is nothing to see except stars. This same performance, in daytime, would have to be looked at, shot at, missed, and then hurriedly fitted with an alibi."
Aldo Leopold in Sand County Almanac

The new workbench is on my workbench....
Laminated 2x6's....will have to be glued into 3 sections to fit through planer before each 3sections are then glued up.

Good morning, Mike~


Great Barrows - and lots of other fine birds (and other creatures) this month!




I finally got around to some "DR" work - most of this Spring has been NDR (farm, house, camp, family) ......


I just knocked out a batch of shorebirds for a special project. Each is made of 3/4-inch Pine with just minimal carving around the edges. They will essentially serve as photo props. Legs are of steel rod, 1/8" and 3/16".



Here is the flock of Tattlers (Greater Yellowlegs) - before I darkened their backs. [CLICK to see full-size]







Next came some Beetleheads (Black-bellied Plovers)






Here's the whole shootin' match.






Here's a closer shot of the mixed flock.








I am also finishing up a single full-bodied BB Plover. The theme for our LI Decoy Collectors 2021 Annual Show (not 2020 - which will be the Contemporary Decoy Exhibition) will be Shorebirds. In addition to the usual history and antique decoys and gear, we will probably also include a small carving exhibition for contemporary shorebirds.


All the best,


SJS



Steven Jay Sanford
Pencil Brook Farm
South Cambridge, NY
http://www.stevenjaysanford.com

For july I have 2 finished decoys for the month.
Goldeneye drake is cork and basswood .
The wigeon is hollow cedar and acrylics.
BobM

Good to see your work again, Bob!

Nice job everyone, the canvas decoys are so cool. I'm not moving too quickly but still in the right direction. Have gone through one full block of black cork and am going to give wood bodies another shot before I open the next box of cork. Any tips on keeping draw knives sharp?

Good morning, Bob~


Great work! That textured glass table top makes a fine photo setting.


All the best,


SJS

Steven Jay Sanford
Pencil Brook Farm
South Cambridge, NY
http://www.stevenjaysanford.com

Steve- those flat ties look great!
All the best,
Tom


Great South Bay
West Sayville, N Y

A pair of simple refrigerator cork Blackies that I need to buy more black paint to complete.



Great South Bay
West Sayville, N Y

Good morning, Tom~


NIce birds - and I like those Beetleheads in the background!


I'm hoping to see some live Black-bellies on Monday afternoon - out in Moriches Bay. They probably will not be sporting bright red neckties....



All the best,


SJS

Steven Jay Sanford
Pencil Brook Farm
South Cambridge, NY
http://www.stevenjaysanford.com

Steve- that?s a great area to see them. I spent a lot of time in the back of Cupsogue and saw tons of shorebirds. There was lot?s of hype from birders about a golden plover sighting there. I actually had to look that one up.


Great South Bay
West Sayville, N Y