I produced this #watercolor painting of screech owls in their gray and red phases. The divided composition positions their relative cryptic coloration in context with reddish-ochre oak leaves on one side and bare branches with snow on the other. #Genetics drives these variations as part of #evolution and #naturalselection. These birds are hard to see in #nature, as cryptic coloration does its job of camouflage. Human enterprise copies these principles in #military #gear, including uniforms for use in diverse #habitats from woodland to desert to snowy landscapes. Even oceangoing vessels and aircraft employ visual tricks to avoid detection. Owls evolved softened feather edges to enable nearly silent flight while hunting. Stealth aircraft manipulate radar waves using unique shapes, specially textured materials, and other signatures to evade sensors. But if you really want to know how to hide, ask an owl. #artist #art #birding #education #nature

I live alongside the American River in central California where the nature preserve of the American River Parkway provides wonderful access to tranquility and wildlife in an urban area. https://arpf.org/visit/int-map-wpp/