Hawk Mountain

We all gave our new hiking boots a workout on Hawk Mountain.  The trail went across those rocks in the last photo and then dropped down out of sight.  I chickened out when I was going to have to jump/fall three feet to the rocky/icy ground below.  Matt and Olivia, being significantly taller than me, had already made it past that point.  So imagine me sitting wedged in between two rocks, feet dangling in the air, calling "ABORT, ABORT!"  It was all totally dignified.  I eventually disengaged myself from the rocks and we went back the other way.  Maybe when the ground is totally dry and I grow two feet we can try again.  At any rate we had a really great hike and spent about four hours climbing over rocks and stones.  A very beautiful day!

Green

Another plant brilliantly lit by the setting sun!

Finally

I have been trying to get a good photo of this plant ever since I first saw it, oh I don't know, YEARS ago.  On Christmas Eve I finally discovered the secret.  Sunset.  Maybe it was the first time I walked through the greenhouse in the evening.  At any rate it was lit up just perfectly.  All those amazing spikes showing off as the sun lowered itself in the sky.  Awesome.

Christmas Eve at Longwood Gardens

We spent a wonderful Christmas Eve wandering around Longwood Gardens.  Their gingerbread theme was a little understated for me.  I guess I like a little more obnoxious drama.  But it was still very beautiful.

Great Falls Virginia

This morning we had a really beautiful day after Christmas hike.  I got to test out my new hiking boots stomping around Great Falls Park in Virginia.  Such a great day and such a wonderful site.  Olivia is a big fan of bouldering and there were just enough rocks around to satisfy her desire to climb on stuff.

Merry Christmas!

Longwood Cemetery

I payed a visit to Longwood Cemetery Thursday morning before our Longwood Gardens hike.  Many bluebirds and starlings greeted me at the entrance.  Since I was two hours early for my hike I had time to draw an amazing tree.  I have to get an id on this one.  The bark seems to peel away in huge sheets. 

Icy

These are from Monday's icy walk around Heinz NWR.  Today, well today is not going to be icy.  Just when you think winter is arriving fall comes back.  At least it will be a nice day for a hike.

Carolina Wren and Other Things

I'm trying out a new morning routine based upon the principal that if I don't leave the house when I take Olivia to school, I never leave the house.  So I'm getting up bright and early.  Yesterday I took Angel (the beagle) for a walk at Heinz NWR.  It was tricky taking pictures with the dog yanking her chain but I think we can work something out. 

A Little Snow For Our Ohio Christmas

One of My Favorite Places

I could almost have a whole blog just dedicated to photos from Longwood Gardens.  I just love all these plants!!  The corridor these grow in contains an amazing collection of plants.  Unfortunately it's very narrow with no place to sit down.  I'd really like to spend some time drawing some of these specimens.

Getting Ready

Good Time

I noticed recently that I frequently post images of cacti in winter.  Wishful thinking?  Or maybe winter is just a really good time to visit the greenhouse.

Oddball

This time of year is always a bit slow going in the studio.  Even so things are happening there.  I have a show coming up in February at the Abington Art Center.  Looking forward to installing the large box piece.  And, once I get that monster out of my studio, the way will be open for the next big work which I think will be the spiral canyon piece I've been talking about.

Making Choices...Or Not

I love the colors and textures of fall.

Always something amazing to see.

Brown Creeper

There's bound to be a duck or two in there somewhere.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

I really could not decide what to post today.  I think I've spent more than an hour in an indecision loop.  Finally I decided not to choose and to post them all.  These are some of my favorite images from the past month.  Most are from Heinz NWR.  The second to last image is from Fosythe NWR.  Every Saturday for the past month or so I've joined the morning bird walk at Heinz NWR.  I've learned so much from all the knowledgeable people there.  Anything you could want to know about almost any type of life form; someone there will know.

More Awesome Fungus

I love fungus.  I can't even believe the amazing variety.  I really wish I had been able to see the tops of these guys.  This tree leans out over a marshy area along Darby Creek at the Heinz NWR.  It was tricky enough getting an unobstructed shot.  Getting up above it was just not going to happen. 

Cacti

I had a really nice walk around Longwood Gardens on Friday.  The light was streaming into the greenhouse, especially as we walked through the cactus garden.  I have a very strong urge to go out West for a while.  There are so many things that I would like to see and draw. 

Studio

West Chester Christmas Parade