This cluster of elderberries was one of many on an elderberry bush that I stumbled upon.
A bright and sunny day lured me outside with my sketchbook and a pack of pens. When I stumbled upon an elderberry bush, I thought it would be a lovely subject for some plein air sketches.
Standing in tall grass and neighbored by other greenery, the elderberry bush looked very established with a main shoot surrounded by multiple smaller shoots. Deep blue-black berry clusters were weighed down into heart shapes. I was surprised to find most of the berries still accounted for on the plant. Some signs of snacking were apparent, however, as a few berry stems stood bare and prickly. Someone had been munching on the leaves too. Half-circle cutouts showed up every so often along the leaves’ edges.
Busy sketching elderberry details. I ended up using only one pen. Note my little buddy on the top left edge of the sketchbook.
I did not find any obvious insects on the elderberry bush, but I found insects elsewhere. Many were checking out my sketchbook. Iridescent, jewellike flies landed on the paper. Even a tiny spider (not an insect, but an arachnid) found its way onto my drawing surface. A grasshopper was at my feet. A dragonfly darted around. A pipevine swallowtail butterfly flashed a beautiful blue as it fluttered through some trees.
The afternoon sun made its way behind the elderberry bush and other tall shrubs, allowing a pleasant break from beating rays on the mostly cloudless day. As I continued to put ink to paper, I listened to a woodpecker drumming on a tree. A cardinal chirped. When I looked up from my sketchbook, I saw another flash of blue, this time, belonging to an indigo bunting. A hummingbird buzzed to the top of a dead tree and disappeared again.
The longer I stayed, the more the hidden became unhidden. Had I simply passed through, I would have missed the elderberry bush with its dark, shiny berries and serrated leaves and the grasshopper who kept me company and the indigo bunting who made an appearance. This is one of the reasons why I enjoy plein air sessions. By stopping and making some sketches, I was privy to all of this beautiful wildlife.
My elderberry sketches and notes from the plein air session.
I drew on Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper with a Misulove 04 Needle Drawing Pen.