I was inspired to do this painting during a trip to the lower Niagara River. There were Oldsquaw ducks all around us. They are such a beautiful yet under appreciated duck …which has to do with the fact that they are not good table fare. The subtle colors and strong contrast on this handsome duck are wonderful! They are strong flyers and they travel at low altitudes up and down the river. The day I was there it was very cold and snowy. Large pieces of ice, which were quickly gathering snow, were floating all around us. They seemed like free real estate to the gulls who all seemed to have their name on the one they liked the best. In this painting, I wanted to show off not only the Oldsquaw ducks but also the beauty of the lower Niagara River in winter. I wanted to try to convey the power of the birds flying up and down the river with the tranquility of the falling snow. This is the largest painting I have ever done. I feel that painting it so large lends itself to better convey the emotions that I felt from being there.