First sketch of NZ

Testing out new sketching gear, at the mudflats in the Tamaki River

A post shared by Abby McBride (@sketchbiologist) on Sep 11, 2017 at 2:49pm PDT

I rigged up a Rite-in-the-Rain sketchbook for this trip. I think it will come in handy.

Seabird landing

It's official: my seabird sketching project has begun (this press release materialized mere hours after I touched down at Auckland International Airport).

I'm doing a Fulbright-Nat Geo Storytelling Fellowship in New Zealand. See more stories from the seabird capital of the world...

Old albatross

Today I start my desultory multiday trip from Maine to New Zealand, where I intend to sketch a lot of seabirds. My overseas flight isn't until this weekend, so in the meantime here's an albatross sketch from the archives!

A post shared by Abby McBride (@sketchbiologist) on Sep 5, 2017 at 5:03am PDT

Actually this was a drawing (based on photographic references) of THE oldest known living bird, Wisdom the Laysan Albatross, who continues to lay eggs and raise chicks at age 66-plus.

City gull

One more week until I head to NZ to sketch seabirds for @natgeo and @the_fulbright_program. Meanwhile, here's a Great Black-backed Gull (originally drawn for @nycaudubon)!

A post shared by Abby McBride (@sketchbiologist) on Sep 1, 2017 at 7:03am PDT

Scribble map

I had to draw one of my signature Highly Inaccurate Sketch Maps to start getting my bearings for New Zealand. The yellow scribble is by my two-year-old niece but all of the other scribbles are by me.

A post shared by Abby McBride (@sketchbiologist) on Aug 24, 2017 at 8:01am PDT