“Macaroni Bird” is an oil painting depicting a yellow-crested night heron amidst branches and greenery. In the past year, I have painted over a dozen different birds in an attempt to explore the richness and diversity of avian life. As with most of my work, my paintings are directly inspired from my own photography. This painting’s reference photo came from a series I took near a friend’s house in Anderson, South Carolina. This particular piece is an excellent example of the modern conveniences of digital photography – showcasing bright colors and the bokeh effect. Transcribing such effects (bokeh, lens flares, light leaks, etc.) gives my photorealism pieces a sense of modern authenticity.