74 Quotes by John James Audubon

The nature of the place...whether high or low, moist or dry, whether sloping north or south, or bearing tall trees or low shrubs...generally gives hint as to its inhabitants.

The Fur Company may be called the exterminating medium of these wild and almost uninhabitable regions, which cupidity or the love of money alone would induce man to venture into. Where can I now go and find nature undisturbed?

But the moment a bird was dead, no matter how beautiful it had been in life, the pleasure of possession became blunted for me.

Mathematics was hard, dull work. Geography pleased me more. For dancing I was quite enthusiastic.

My drawings at first were made altogether in watercolors, but they wanted softness and a great deal of finish.

Thank God it has rained all day. I say thank God, though rain is no rarity, because it is the duty of every man to be thankful for whatever happens by the will of the Omnipotent Creator; yet it was not so agreeable to any of my party as a fine day would have been.

. . .nature indifferently copied is far superior to the best idealities.

My heart swelled with uncontrollable delight...

Look at that mallard as he floats on the lake; see his elevated head glittering with emerald green, his amber eyes glancing in the light! Even at this distance, he has marked you, and suspects that you bear no goodwill towards him, for he sees that you have a gun, and he has many a time been frightened by its report, or that of some other. The wary bird draws his feet under his body, springs upon then, opens his wings, and with loud quacks bids you farewell.