A safety net. A hairnet. An ornithologists mist net.

{Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus), 2012}


{Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia), 2009.}


{Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma), 2012.}


{White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), 2006.}


{Puerto Rican Tody (Todus mexicanus), 2009 (Can you spot Louise's paper Tody?)}


{Rufous-winged Woodpecker (Piculus simplex), 2012}

I look at these works by photographer and professor at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Todd Forsgren, and I think, I wish I could draw something so beautiful and spectacular and odd on the page. There is nothing I do not like about these mesmerising compositions other than the fact that I did not conjure them, she cried in fit of pique. These photos, found on Time’s Lightbox, show wild birds caught in mist nets. “Ornithologists now use mist nets instead of shotguns for data that cannot be obtained with the help of binoculars, microphones, or telephoto lenses. These nearly invisible nets are set up like fences and function as huge spider webs, catching unsuspecting birds. The researcher carefully extracts the bird from the net. Each bird is measured, aged, sexed, and banded with an individually numbered anklet (Audubon’s philopatry experiments with Eastern Phoebes was likely the first bird banding done in the United States). Then the bird is released, unharmed" (from Todd Forsgren's artist's statement).

The birds negotiating the net remind me of how some days feel. Perhaps, given this, it is good that my annual film festival holiday is about to begin. Clearly, I need a little shake up.

When Louise looks at them, she likes that some seem to almost be having fun. Particularly, I imagine, the fallen acrobatic White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys).  One of us is at the circus despite the lead shoes, and the other is feeling thwarted, if this art as inkblot test is anything to go by.

(All images by Todd Forsgren.)

+ Shape-shifting murmurations of starlings and a charm extended

+ A collaged backdrop for some beautiful pieces

+ Get your hands on Lisa's book Knot Stitch Thread: Exploring Creativity through Embroidery and Mixed Media