Monday, July 29, 2024

Quietude

Sure got quiet around here in the last week. The non-stop singing House Wrens, Red-winged Blackbirds and Cowbirds, tanagers and orioles suddenly still. Hope they are all right after Wednesday's storm - 80 mph winds plus here, 109 mph on Mt. Sentinel in Missoula, some friends still without power, and many others lost dozens of trees. Whew. And an omnipresent Tree Swallow in the yard by the now-empty nest box. 


Saturday, July 27, 2024

Friday, July 26, 2024

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Bridge Re-installed

A great tour inspired by 40-year-long pal Robert Petty and a tour for the YellowBay Biological Station of Flathead Lake students of Paul Watson. I met Paul while attending a summer Animal Behavior class in 1980, and he is now the instructor for that class in the summers, up from Albuquerque and here today. We  met the Raptor Ranch Raptors, toured the art, photography, and books and then a favor. Could you friends install the bridge across the slough, out since the spring high waters. YEP, great work, pals except Mose the dog would not stay out of the way, on top the whole time! Bridge on the left in the background.

Monday, July 22, 2024

Red Sunrise

  Our yard at 7 am today and fires over that-a-way....


Friday, July 19, 2024

Red Squirrel


 Our front yard denizen and star of the Claybord painting, June 1st Blog.

Thursday, July 18, 2024

New Etching!

Drypoint with printing inks and gouache 9" x 12" 


Wednesday, July 17, 2024

MCAT Filmmakers

Today a tradition started about 30 years ago, Missoula Community Access Television MCAT Young Filmmakers Camp, and some of the best kids (and staff) ever. Video recording starts with "Counting down from 5," and then "....cut." Sonora, Little Billie, Sonny and Nigel and Portia the stars. Plus Mischa had a special lunchtime presentation on the front deck. They all wanted little photos of Mose, smiling.


 

Saturday, July 13, 2024

My Favorite Hawk

 The Northern Harrier and four fledged near-by. More shots on the way.



Friday, July 12, 2024

Magpieland


A few weeks ago I discovered a new magpie nest built right up against Sibley the Peregrine's building, the circle to the right. Last year there was an active nest above her spot, the other circle and parent magpie squawking away to the left. Then I found out why - at least three of the chicks had bailed. Mom actually charged Mose the dog!

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Pheasant Fight

 A shot taken in late April, cockfight in the yard. The guy on the left won.


Sunday, July 7, 2024

Here Goes

On Claybord with acrylic, printing ink, Arteza Brush Pens, lots of stuff and ...whew, putting that one to rest and next an etching! Got a pile of new PETG plastic in the mail from Blick Art Supplies, along with a magnifying glass arrangement on the desktop to get the details.





Saturday, July 6, 2024

Raven Love

I have been working on a Claybord painting of a Raven for several days, and took it out of the trash this morning to give it another chance. "You can fix it," suggested Tom with great optimism. Or at least a good acting job...HA! Not the same Ravens here, but down at the river. We shall see about that painting, and just rolled on a whole second layer of printing ink, currently drying in the sun. Fingers crossed.


Thursday, July 4, 2024

Happy Holiday

Have a great 4th! We have a fantastic fireworks display across the highway from us here in Florence, and I always sit in the front yard with the camera.


Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Monday, July 1, 2024