I know a wood carver from South Carolina named Floyd Robbins. Although I am as far from an expert on carvings as one man can be I can recognize genius when I see it. Floyd has that genius, and is also a superb wingshot on woodcock with his little 20 ga. S X S. His carvings are nearly indistinguishable from real birds. Here's a recently completed quail which sold within minutes of it being offered. Everything you see was carved from wood, even the grasshopper. Hunting with Floyd is a rare privilege to be in the presence of greatness.

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/65664_600x400.jpg

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/65665_600x400.jpg

And a couple doves .........yeah, the shell box and the empty hulls are all carved from wood, too.

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/66113_600x400.jpg

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/66114_600x400.jpg

Floyd is a master! We have several works by him.

A few more of Floyd's creations ........

A wisp of snipe:

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/66124_600x400.jpg

A breathtaking 'doodle:

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/66125_600x400.jpg

And an owl with supper:

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/66126_600x400.jpg

He paints too. Here are my sons . . . and a quail

Very nice Mills, very very nice ! The paintings that is. The birds alright as well :)

Good likenesses, Mills. Your boys were at about that age when I first met you, and them, at a Fall Southern at Rick's.

Those are wonderful timeless portraits Mills!





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My avatar is one of Floyd's pieces too.

Wonderful stuff guys! My latest acquisition is a limited edition from Big Sky Carvers. I saw these years ago but didn't get one; I was happy to recently find one on the bay. Not nearly as detailed as Floyd's work - a different approach - but I like it...

https://i.imgur.com/x1zvwMXl.jpg

Ring-necked Duck drake carved by Thomas Tyers of Oshkosh, WI. A couple of decades ago Tom sent this bird to the World Championships in Maryland, entering it the Novice competition. Unfortunately, it didn't place. But fortunately, it then found its place on my bookshelf.