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The subject of this photo reference study is the California Quail, but I should first mention that the California Quail and Gambel's Quail are similar in appearance especially because of the comma- shaped plumes protruding from their foreheads. I will begin this study with two photos of these beautiful species of quail with a short discussion of the difference in each...

In the southwest U.S., Sonoran desert toads mate when the rains start during the monsoon season, typically from late June through September. During the mating season males will inflate their vocal sacs and croak. The croaking helps them claim territory and will attract females. I have wanted to create a competition piece with a reproduction toad doing this type of behavior...

This is the second part of the story of how I made the sabertooth salmon polyurethane foam model. In the first part, body and fins were shaped and put together, and there were some special solutions necessary to adapt the fins for shipping across the Atlantic. In this part, the main focus will be on details – scales, head details, eyes, and on the final touches to the...