Flower Spider
Posted on June 30, 2007
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<>For the last few days a young robin has been taking a bath in my bird bath. This morning I decided to take a picture, however, as soon as I appeared at the edge of the lawn it flew off. Then I spotted this white flower spider on my white rose—about to have dinner.Earlier this morning while cycling, a luna moth flew across the road in front of me, then spent some time seeking the best leaf under which to spend the day. Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera with me. Two lost photo ops today.
Gardens in Bloom
Posted on May 15, 2007
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Spring garden flowers are starting to bloom, early tulips and daffodils have been blooming for about a week, with new ones every day. In the wild, the coltsfoot has bloomed and is starting to leave-out now, and the trout lilies are in full bloom. Masses of them by the stream.
<>I took down the bird feeders last week, but still chipping sparrows, a few bluejays, 2 mourning doves and a robin come to the area under the apple tree. There are still seeds there. The doves are new this year, they are ” a couple” and I am hoping that they will nest nearby.<> During the snowstorm we had in April, a robin came to the feeder, I put out currants which he ate. He has been coming back ever since, now with a mate. I expect a robin’s nest nearby.
<>We’ve had out first forest fire of the season. With luck and rain, it will be the only one. Although on the same day there were 3 fires in the area. We were far enopough away, and the wind was in the right direction that we were in no immediate danger.
Fox sparrow
Posted on April 9, 2007
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<>
We’ve had a lot of birds at the feeder since the storm, more I think than all winter! This fox sparrow arrived this morning, along with a robin , many goldfinches ( the males are quite yellow now), juncos and a crow.
Mourning Dove’s Range Moving North
Posted on April 9, 2007
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Throughout the winter a mourning dove has occasionally been at the feeder. Suddenly last week there were three, and they are there every day.
Three Skunks
Posted on April 9, 2007
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Friday we had a nasty snow storm. Each evening after dark I look out to see if any animals are under the bird feeder cleaning up the fallout. Friday there were three little skunks. I believe they were last years kits, possibly born under our garden shed. They’ve been back each night since.
Deer in the dusk
Posted on March 25, 2007
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They appeared like magic. Last evening I looked out the window and there was a deer in the gap below the house, then another and another. As they started to move into the field more appeared. I think there must have been 5 or 6.
Robins
Posted on March 25, 2007
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March 25. I saw the first robin of the spring this morning. There were 4, seemed quite at-home in the field. I put out a special blend of robin food–which includes berries.
Ski Tracks
Posted on March 25, 2007
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Blue is the predominant color of my forest in a snowy winter; this will all change in spring to green. Both are favorite colors for me to paint.
Running Sap
Posted on March 25, 2007
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We tapped the maples over 2 weeks ago , and finally the sap is coming in quantity. We freeze the pails of raw sap, then boil down the concentrated sugary liquid in the middle while discarding the frozen portions. I think it is going to be a poor yeild this year, due to weather. We only produce enough for ourselves, definitely not a commercial operation!
During the week before I tapped the maples, I skied several days, the best skiing of the winter, very little snow this year. I skied through our woods; we have quite a network of trails down to a lake. I didn’t see any animals, but they had been using my ski trail as their highway—deer, squirrels, porcupine, mouse tracks crossed in several areas, as did the porcupine, fox tracks, and either a dog or coyote. I love sharing my woods with the animals, or I love the fact that they share they’re woods with me.
<> I heard the coyotes early one morning recently.
Eyes of a red squirrel
Posted on March 1, 2007
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With our vision so focused ahead, it affects all things in art including the angular width of the field we paint, draw or include in our art. It may be as wide as our peripheral vision, or more focused as a sort of telephoto effect. No, red squirrels don’t do art - but if they did, it would undoubtedly be more panoramic - except when doing a still life of seeds, nuts and insects…