John Seerey-Lester (American, b. 1946). Oil on board painting titled “Study of Burrowing Owl in Desert Granland setting, Idea for #2 Owl plate – Way ’86” depicting an owl resting in a Southwestern landscape filled with cacti. Titled along the lower center and signed along the lower right. Notes in ink along the margins read: “foreground to have more shade” (along the lower left); “warmer glow on bird” (along the far right center). Inscription along the verso reads “To Bettye Gale with very best wishes Seerey-Lester 4/26/87.” This painting is a study for Seerey-Lester’s “Prairie Sundown – Burrowing Owl” plate for the Hamilton Collection “Noble Owls of America” series. Sight; height: 8 1/2 in x width: 11 1/2 in. Framed; height: 13 3/4 in x width: 16 3/4 in.