Yesterday we had a fun program for the kindergarten kids here at Florence Elementary. Our favorite teacher Julia White got this snapshot of students with Portia hooting up an owl, and promising they will go outside this spring and summer. Big day for young Bodie the American Kestrel - her first program and a Superstar, plus she didn't mind Mischa the Peregrine watching from behind.
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Florence Kids
Monday, April 15, 2024
Sunday, April 14, 2024
More Hammering Woodpeckers
This week the migrating Red-naped Sapsuckers returned with their signature tapping - on the metal sculptures all over the yard. Sapsuckers drum beats start fast and slow down, signature. And resident Northern Flickers in abundance. Seems like someone is always tapping, signaling his territory. No insects inside those creatures.
Friday, April 12, 2024
Minutes Old
Just finished this etching. I spent a week on some Sandhill Cranes on Claybord, scratchboard, cattle markers and cheep Walgreens art material and finally gave up. So cranked this drypoint out the last few days, and tried a few new experiments with the Akua ink. Sharp-shinned Hawk on our power line in the yard.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Eagle Nest
The eagle nest across the river, constructed in 2011. Watching through the scope in the house and seeing her incubate (?) I guestimated that hatching began yesterday. Today the male flew in with a Columbian ground squirrel and she split to take a little break. Hadn't seen much of him lately and thanks pals-this will be fun!
Sunday, April 7, 2024
Northern Harrier
My favorite hawk, and saw six of these today at Lee Metcalf NWR, plus three occupied Osprey nests, seven Red-tails, and a bunch of Turkey Vultures. It's happening NOW!
Friday, April 5, 2024
First Friday!
Join me and the avian artists at Gallery 709 for our "Birds Are Back" Show! From 5-9 pm tonight, 709 Ronan Street in Missoula just off S. 6th W. and Russell St., then up all month.
Kate Davis, Sally Hickman, Tom Melhuse, Alan Wikoff, and Tom Zavitz
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Disaster Artist
You can't win them all and my latest piece just doesn't work. Sandhill Cranes first on Claybord, then scratchboard yesterday. Scored on the nine pieces before this in the last few months, and number ten is a disaster. I tried every single medium known to womankind including cheap Walgreens’s magic markers, oil pastels, gouache paint, Akua ink, and cattle markers. Even broke one Rapidograph pen tip, expensive experiment for that reason! Time to take a break and working on them all day since Tuesday. Then back at it with something that I know works…like an etching!
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Friday, March 29, 2024
New Claybord
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Window Doggies
Watching for those first Ospreys at Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, nest on the far left on the pole. "Our" neighborhood female Osprey has turned up as of Sunday, reports pal Kathy Price - earliest yet by one day!
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Mose!
No eagle shots Friday evening, but splashing dogs. And yesterday's ZOOM program for Wild Wings Choteau Snow Goose Festival, instead of driving in the snow and wind. That would have been 6 1/2 hours in good weather, and who knows with the winter weather advisory and storm watch.