Just finished this one and quite different than the last couple-dozen years of printmaking. "Raccoon" is gouache painted on a product called Claybord, different colored inks in rapidograph pens drawn in, some Arteza Brush Pens and a little acrylic paint, then scratched through with a utility knife for the white fur. Finally I sanded the background and voila! Just that easy...11" x 14". My first mammal in 29 years. Next, an Opossum. Just kidding.
Much thanks to Ryan Hollingsworth and Pat Johnson for some sawing, splitting and stacking yesterday. And NO snow, Mose about to chew in a chunk of ice found in the driveway.
Last Thursday we returned to MTPRadio with Annie Garde and birds, some guests watching from across the glass. This was Mischa the Peregrine's first trip, her cousin Sibley twenty-plus years prior. It's a tradition. Thanks Tom for feeding the eagles (and his birthday) as I forgot to put the food out before I left, dark at 5 pm and Winter Solstice tomorrow!
Three of the five juvenile Bald Eagles in the yard this frosty morning. Much arguing with the many magpies.
We will pay a visit to the Pea Green Boat on Montana Public Radio this afternoon, partnering with past skipper Annie Garde. She retired two years ago and we haven't had a bird day since. Annie and I will team up with host Vicki Chaney and some "newish" raptors. Meet Little Billie and Portia the owls, and Mischa the Peregrine. 4:00 pm sharp and left of the FM dial. And live on mtpr.org. Thanks Vicki, and a photo by Sam Manno from 2016, Joan Richarde at the controls. This will be visit number 93 in 30 years of PGB programs for Raptors of the Rockies!
This little male Sharp-shinned Hawk was hanging out in the yard, diet is 99% birds. Get those House Sparrows! This photo will be in our new book, Raptors of the West Second Edition with Mountain Press Publishing. Rob Palmer, Nick Dunlop and I supplied the images for the coffee table-style book in 2011, and currently out of print after sales of 15,000. So time to update with our new photos, okay, 13 years of photos!
We had a fine visit to ARC of Western Montana in Missoula on Friday, formerly MDSC and serving adults with developmental disabilities. This was our introduction and we'll be back, fun. We played a short video and here is Sib and Board of Directors/Pal Bev Beck Glueckert in New York City. Little Billy the Saw-whet and Simon the Great Horned joined in and we all hooted up an owl at the finale.
By the way, if anyone has any non-ground game meat that is perhaps a bit old and you are making room in the freezer, let me know raptors@montana.com
This is what "a load of firewood" looks like if you are an ex-timber faller like Tom.
Thanks to friend John Ottman for the fine delivery this week. That last load kept us warm for 4 years, and so grateful for all the help by Pat Johnson, Ryan Hollingsworth and John "Hoeman." Sawing and splitting and stacking next....whew.
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