Orange-breasted Sunbirds and Pincushion Protea

Anthobaphes violacea and Leucospermum cordifolium

Medium: Colored pencil on Duralene, 2006
Size: 20 x 17.5” framed
This piece was inspired by visits to the UCSC arboretum, where I wandered among the African and Australian flora and wondered who pollinated these marvelous flowers. A bit of research revealed that small, brightly-colored sunbirds were among the pincushion’s native pollinators, and the male’s iridescent plumage was such a treat to draw.