Have A Happy!

 

New Etching

Back inside working on the smaller printing press (too cold in the studio over the garage) and finished this one on Christmas. An experiment with water soluble pastel background run through the press, then a bunch of stuff to finish it off. "Flathead Lake Osprey" is inspired by summer trips to Wildhorse Island with best pal Barry Gordon.  His rustic cabin included an Osprey nest overhead and friendly birds breeding every year. R.I.P Barry, this in his honor. 8 x 12". That makes a dozen this year if you include the Red Fox on New Years Eve!

Killdeer On the Beach

Is this winter? The Killdeer looked right at home without any snow to be found. "Birds of Montana" by Marks, Hendricks and Casey reports that the few winter residents here may be those that breed further north. Apparently Missoula and here in the Bitterroot is where winter Killdeer are more likely to be spotted. Love 'em!

Sonora and Pals

 Just finished a new etching with Sonora watching over my shoulder, and another pigeon picture.

Our Pigeons

 

Friday's Red-tail Shot

 

Power Outage

With the huge winds Wednesday morning, a ponderosa pine fell across the road and knocked down our power lines. Electricity was out starting at 9 am and the chimney cover blew off and smashed.  I was waiting for a mouse delivery but had power lines across the driveway.  So I wrote a sign on the fence for FedEx to STOP and give me a call, that I would come get them on the road. Thankfully got the mice. 300! Then power out all day, finally fixed at 2 pm. We ran up to the ACE hardware for parts and Tom fixed the chimney top, then I climbed on the roof to reinstall. Tom sat down to watch the news, hit the button and power out again!  So happy it was light enough here to paint an etching the last two days. I never do the whole edition of 5, so it was 2/5 Heron Trio!  I just whistled and hummed songs- never done art without music, and a new appreciation for electricity.

Morning At The Raptor Ranch

 

Happy Birthday Tom

The Big Seven-Oh! Thanks friends!

And a Raccoon, Daily River Walks

 

Gotta Love a Muskrat

 

Just Now!

 Okay, a few hours ago.

Here's Another Old Favorite

 

Next One

The next etching is an Osprey, probably this bird at Flathead Lake but a different pose. Love reviewing these old "shots."

New Etching

After days of experiments, and the new etching, "Pacific Peale's Peregrine" from a much-loved bird on the Washington Coast. This falcon was banded in 2007 by Dan Varland of Coastal Raptors as a first-year male. Wearing visual ID band W/Z, he was exceptionally approachable which, for years, made him a favorite falcon of the Coastal Raptors research group and photographers alike. Sadly, W/Z died at age eight after striking a powerline on the beach. (To the relief of those of us who knew him, several years after the tragedy the line was removed.).   Drypoint etching with gouache, 12" x 16"

Just One This Day

"Get Back Here, You Big Baby"

 

Happy Turkey Day!

 

MAM Auction Piece

This is my etching in the Missoula Art Museum Auction in February, Yay! And on Friday afternoon I had a Raptors program for Clark Fork School, 60 little kids. I had my etching in the car to drop off at MAM afterward. We thought to bring it inside and at the very end I held it up, asked the kids what these animals were, flipped it over and they all shouted:   “Pelicans!"    Junior Zoologists, all. So proud.

On and On!

 

Tonight

 

Rough-legged Hawk

I was chasing this hawk yesterday, got this shot. Back from the far north for the winter, they sport little feet feathered to the toes for a "rough leg." Often perching on little tiny limbs, they are identifiable at a distance. Red-tails are still here for the winter, and they tend to choose bigger limbs. Subtle field marks.

Safety

"Think I'll stand here until after dark on November 30th." Across the river!

 

Christmas Cactus

What a big bloom in the window, a gift from Lindi Vishoot in 1996 when Tom had a logging accident and hospital stay. It was great gift and look at this nice plant so many years later. Unbelievable Christmas Cactus!

Mail - Day 3

A Raptor Round-Up Newsletter takes almost a week to write, then print 300 in living color (thanks Minuteman Press!) then fold 200, stick on addresses, draw a little hawk face on each, print and add a little color card for many, then tape shut. Stamp. Easy. Day 3 and Sonora the Aplomado Falcon helping me today. How 20th Century, I am told.

Our Heron

 In a little stretch before a flight. Falconers call this a "warble" for some reason. Not a warbler here!

Mose Today!

 

Missoula Art Museum

Raptors and Art for Grown-ups on Saturday, packed 'em in the classroom, the best one yet and some real artists. Fun with Sonora the Aplomado, Simon and Little Billie the owls, and Nigel the Golden Eagle on his best behavior. Thanks Cathy Scholtens for giving me a hand and taking this photo. Birds, anatomy, drawing, painting and printmaking - Bev Beck Glueckert at the helm! Another one of these soon.

THE Eagles

 

Flying Up the Slough Today

 

Today My Favorite Bird

 

Ali Wins

My photo of Tim Cavey's beloved dog made the cover of the calendar,  crossing our little bridge!  

Warmth

The rest of the wood cut from the pile by pal Ryan, then tucked the splitter away...for now! Unfortunately a bunch of spruce hidden under the fir and larch, oh well. Works for now.

 

Today's Eagles, Clouds and Mose

 

Sibley's Last Program

 Just a week before her death Sibley the Peregrine was invited to a gathering at long-time Raptor Backer Ken Siebel's home in Stevensville. She and Wes the kestrel, Portia the Barred and Billie the Saw-whet Owls had a great visit with his guests, including Henry Kerst and his mom Stephanie, Ken's secretary. I received this card in the mail with a note from  8 year-old Henry: "I am sorry about Sibley, but glad I got to see her."💙💙💙 And glad to meet the Kerst family. Ken was staring at Sibley wide-eyed and remembering her flying at his ranch 20 years ago, one time chasing a heron in play.  R.I.P. Sib.

Firewood Today!

Thanks Ryan Hollingsworth, John Hoeman and Tom!

 

Mose and Nico

 

Our Heron Today

 

Ravalli Republic

And all the newspapers across the state. Thank Jessica Abell for the story!

Red-tail Today

GREAT Five Valleys Audubon program on Monday night, glad I did't cry and thanks friends.  Ravalli Republic reporters with Jessica Abell over today so a big story in all the papers in the state, "Sibley's Legacy." David Sibley of field guide fame for whom she was named wrote a nice email saying, "She was a great bird and I was honored to share her name." And a Red-tail today.

Fall Colors Heron, Today

 

Powerpoint

Sonora the Aplomado was giving me advice on my Powerpoint for Monday's Audubon meeting. Just for a second on that perch, as she has a favored spot on the book cabinet (with newspaper below.) Boy, this "slideshow" is loaded with past birds, programs, books and art. And the recent dramatic changes at the Raptor Ranch, including bird behavior - poor Mischa the Peregrine is terrified to leave her new enclosure. I'm working on Plan B and have a Plan C and D....