Exploring the Snowy Egret in oil paint

I'm getting to know a new and very elegant bird for the first time. I have a final canvas in mind but before I dive in I need to understand this birds own special qualities and gestures intuitively before.

FIRST, A LEARNING CURVE

 1131 Untitled Snowy Egret 12x12 oil on linen (3-13-17)

1131 Snowy Egret 12x12 oil on linen (3-13-17)

 1132 Snowy Egret 12x12 oil on linen (3-17-17-)

1133 Sony Egret 12x12 oil on linen (3-18-17)

 1134 Snowy Egret 12x12 oil on linen (3-21-17)

1138 Snowy Egret 12x12 oil on linen (3-27-17)
 

1143 Snowy Egret 12x12 oil on linen (4-6-17)

I can see from my last 12x12 Snowy Egret painting, my final idea is forming up nicely. I want a change of subject, a bit of a rest before my final Snowy Egret canvas. What I have in mind will require me to get back into the BIG SWING because it takes a different mind set than the small quick 12x12s here. And it's been awhile....