Tangled Web

Watercolor

5 ½"  x  8 ¼"

Selected for 2006

 Birds in Art Competition

Permanent Collection of

Woodson Art Museum

© Melanie Fain

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Tangled Web

Numerous live oak trees line the road leading to my house. During the summer months, orb weaver webs crisscross between the trees. One afternoon I noticed something large and gangly trapped in one of those web remnants. On closer investigation, I discovered this female black-chinned hummingbird, stretched out and stuck fast. It was apparent by the loose feathers, she had struggled to free herself to no avail. She had grown tired and given up. I photographed her, hoping for a painting. After capturing the scene, I carefully freed her from the web, and painstakingly removed pieces of sticky web from her wings and body before releasing her.