My recent body of work depicts images of birds and the human hand as seen during bird banding demonstrations. Bird banding is a process in which wild birds are captured and equipped with leg bands to study their movements and habits. In a series of oil paintings on canvas, I have been zooming in on images of scientists and volunteers handling wild birds during the banding process in order to educate the public on scientific research and conservation efforts, inspire a human connection with wildlife, and encourage more people to explore nature. Over the past several years, I have been participating in bird banding demonstrations and having conversations with scientists and birders to inform this project. The paintings will offer my viewers a unique, close-up experience with the many species of birds that live around us and encourage a connection with nature through the human hand and sense of touch.