Waiting for Feathers

I've done just about everything I can with the background and I need to start on the Ptarmigan.

He remains featherless.

Very frustrating, as I can do nothing else now until the feathers arrive.

I cut out and prepped another dozen skeletonized leaves. I think I will need more, but again I need to see the effect of the feathered bird on the balance of the piece.

So I wait.