A master of wildlife art, John A. Ruthven painted dynamic bird portraits hailed for their authentic detail and exciting design. Ruthven started with extensive research of his subjects, after which he created detailed sketches and meticulously rendered paintings. Whether working in delicate watercolor or bold acrylics, he long combined art and conservation, even receiving the National Medal of Arts-the highest honor given to artists by the United States government-for his work as an artist and naturalist. These paintings offer a birder's view through the 12 months of the year. May they inspire you to delight in the winged ones who share your surroundings.