Contest!

Tomorrow I leave for my annual trek to a little farm cottage in the wilds of a beautiful, unglaciated region of Wisconsin to kick off the New Year with some close friends and a healthy dose of nature. I can't wait! 2 years ago, I started engaging in the birder's tradition of the first bird spotted on New Year's day, becomes the theme bird for the next year. Last year the first bird I spotted and thus became my theme bird for 2009 was a White-breasted Nuthatch.

This year, the tradition will be the basis for a little painting giveaway:

I will be making an 8 x 10 inch watercolor of the first bird that I spot on New Year's day while in Wisconsin. By submitting your name either by posting to the comments section here (if you don't have a distinct username, please include your first name and initial of last name), or by emailing me directly (see profile for contact info) you can have a chance to win that very painting. I will collect names through January 3rd. The name that I draw from a box later that week, will be the winner and recipient of the 2010 New Year's Bird Watercolor. It's my way of saying thanks for supporting my work for the last year. It doesn't matter if you have just checked in to this blog for the first time last week or 2 years ago, everybody is welcome!

No, it won't be a Palm Cockatoo or a Bird of Paradise, but something common to the winter woods of Wisconsin such as a nuthatch, chickadee or some type of woodpecker. Who knows what I will see; maybe Sasquatch.

Ok good luck and Happy New Year!

*I will not be using the names for anything other than the contest, meaning not adding you to any mailing lists.