Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Nighthawks at Twilight, 1917-49; watercolor on joined paper, 33 1/2 x 47 inches; Flint Institute of Arts, Flint, Michigan, Gift of the Viola E. Bray Charitable Trust, 1964.3
A cool grey morning – sunglow in dim east – orioles sporting in the green trees –
Clouds commence to break noonwards – odd brown bird in tree on magnolia with song like thrashers – orioles singing – chippy – Sitting on bank of Doan Creek sketching rapids – tanager burning in bush far down stream –
Working all day in school mid afternoon sun comes out in a blue + white streaked sky – wind commences –
Elysian feeling –
At evening walking out from work – a fine breeze jiggles the trees – poplars a maze of delightful twinkling rhythms; white leaves appear + disappear like sun sparkled water rippled – This is the season of nighthawks – at this hour they bow their wing in the silver air, uttering hoarse vibrant “chirps.”
Charles E. Burchfield, May 22, 1915