A giant bald eagle is taking up a permanent perch in front of a home in Nanaimo’s north end.
This bird won’t fly, but is already giving its surroundings a stern gaze as it takes shape due to some skillful work from Nanaimo chainsaw sculptor Dan Richey who is carving the eagle from a cedar tree.
Home owner Gail Lambourne, who commissioned the sculpture, said the tree’s roots had started lifting the concrete and gravel driveway and walkways in front of her house, but rather than cut it down, she opted to have it carved.
Richey, who is also a mural artist and has worked in different mediums, has won numerous awards for his carvings, many of which can be seen in Nanaimo and in communities across B.C.
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The carving will be nearly eight metres high and Richey envisioned from the shape of the trunk and branches an eagle making a sharp banking turn in flight.
On Wednesday, March 22, Richey was hard at work at the Bayshore Drive property shaping the eagle and getting the proportions right.
“I have to make the head proportional. Right now it’s too big compared to the wing,” Richey said. “When it’s done the wing will look like it’s bent, like he’s coming around in a tight turn.”
Lambourne said her neighbours seem to like what’s shaping up in her yard.
“People keep coming by and taking pictures,” she said.
Richey said he expects the sculpture will be done in about another week. In the meantime, Lambourne said she’s having a difficult time trying to decide what to name the sculpture when it’s done.
chris.bush@nanaimobulletin.com
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