gildedspruce.com

Getting Ready for Show at Gallery 78

tmoffatt — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:20:16 +0000

The former railway now is a walking trail through gorgeous forests and past marshes

It’s a challenge. The pastel paintings need to be carefully matted and framed, and prepared for driving to Gallery 78 in Fredericton on Saturday. Beforehand, all are carefully photographed at high resolution - as they may never be coming back! It has been exciting to see the results this spring. Colours and layering are working in new ways - and I love the results.

Flower Spider

Anne Johnston — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 15:48:49 +0000

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

Anne Johnston — Tue, 15 May 2007 15:20:59 +0000

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

Anne Johnston — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:13:04 +0000

<> We’ve had a lot of birds at the feeder since the storm, more I think thanÂ 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

Anne Johnston — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:08:00 +0000

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

Anne Johnston — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:57:18 +0000

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

Anne Johnston — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 14:48:18 +0000

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

Anne Johnston — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 14:43:32 +0000

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

Anne Johnston — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 14:38:26 +0000

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

Anne Johnston — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 14:30:08 +0000

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.Â I love sharing my woods with the animals, or I love the fact that they share they’re woods with me.

<>Â I heard the coyotes early one morning recently.