The fame of his paintings has tended to distract us from the volumes of text Audubon compiled to accompany Robert Havell Jr.’s engraved plates. Much of its ornithological data has been superceded by subsequent studies, but the accounts of his experiences in the living presence of the birds and his lyrical commentaries on the American scene, provide a superb complement to his graphic art. Although Thoreau hated their dust and must, he visited the libraries of Boston and Cambridge to read Audubon “with a thrill of delight.”
—I have known them also retire for the same purpose to the crevices of high cliffs, on the banks of Green river in the same state. One winter, when I had occasion to cross the Homochitta river, in the State of Mississippi, I observed these Hawks in greater numbers than I had ever before seen.
Many persons believe that this Hawk, and some others, never drink any other fluid than the blood of their victims; but this is an error. I have seen them alight on sand-bars, walk to the edge of them, immerse their bills nearly up to the eyes in the water, and drink in a continued manner, as Pigeons are known to do.( Audubon)–click image for source
In later years, the naturalist “John o’ Birds” Burroughs found his life’s direction when he first came upon these same books. Their exact and colorful observation of nature at times is said to surpass anything in the history of American nature writing, and clearly reveals how Audubon’s richly informed vision must have guided his brush and pencil in the years he labored over his gigantic task.
—Caption on print: Snowy Heron or White Egret
The Snowy Egret was painted in Charleston, probably on March 25, 1832. Lehman painted the rice plantation background. Note the hunter in the right corner.—click image for source…
ADDENDUM:
As he made his way through Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama, “[h]e made charcoal portraits on demand at $5 each and gave drawing lessons”. In addition to teaching art lessons he also took some including formal instruction in oil painting. Taking such classes helped him to network within the artistic and printing community. Six years after beginning his endeavor, he went to England and had his works published. “Birds of America” was printed as a series over nearly 13 years; it was funded by those who subscribed to his collection. His works were printed using copperplate etching, engraving, and aquatint, and then colored by hand with watercolor paint. The birds were life-sized, thus each page was 39.5in x 38.5 in; the entire collection contained 435 plates which were only used for 200 runs – making the original prints incredibly valuable today. After the publication of his masterpiece, he continued to study and draw birds but with the sufficient income from “Birds of America” he did not produce any more large scale works. He lived with his family in the US until his death in 1851.Read More:http://drawingatduke.blogspot.ca/2011/10/john-james-audubon.html
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