Greenhouse

A peak in one of the greenhouses over at Swarthmore College.  It's been almost a week since my last visit.  Seems like it's time to take another walk around and see what's up now.  Although, my primary agenda for tomorrow is to clean the house!

Pine & Yellow-rumped Warblers

I couldn't resist a walk through Warbler's Wood this morning.  My spring challenge, too see how many warblers I can get on film.  Or what do you say now that there is no film?  On memory?  On file?  Something to think about while waiting for warblers to sit in the open and pose for a photo.

An Exciting Time of Year

Pileated Woodpecker in my backyard

House Sparrow at the studio

Turkeys strutting under the bird feeder at Heinz

Pine Warbler in the woods

None of these photos is perfect but I like what I see in them.  This really is a fun time of year.

American Elm

 I grew up in Elmhurst, IL where there weren't actually any elms left.  Driving through NJ last weekend we past signs for Lakehurst and I said to Matt, "what is a hurst anyway?"  He pulled it up on his trusty blackberry and told me that a hurst was a stand of trees.  Imagine a stand of these amazing elm trees! 

Cute Stuff

Flowers in the Fog

Totally Awesome Plant

I've had a really long day but before I turn in I just had to share these pitcher plant photos I took this morning at Swarthmore.  I didn't see a label but I don't think they are local, at least not like any of the local pitcher plants I've seen.  I love the delicate striped color and the intricate structure!

Allergies, Asthma, and Other Complaints

I'm not quite sure what this little guy (Rudy Turnstone) was actually doing.  I didn't hear any sound or see any hairballs...so maybe he was also having problems breathing! 

Talking a Walk

 

I brought Matt and Olivia out to Barnegat on Sunday.  It was supposed to be sunny after noon but instead turned out to be quite grey and foggy.  We had to walk a long way down the jetty before we saw the ducks and I was worried they wouldn't be there.  But as soon as I saw the big cameras and tripods I knew the ducks were there.

Tree Pollen

The tree pollen levels are very high today.  I wonder why?  Maybe I'll just lay down and think about it for a while.  Gravity also seems to have increased because it's really difficult to move.  Gotta love allergies.  When people ask what I'm allergic to I always say "anything that flies through the air and goes up your nose."  This is the perfect season for that. 

Dance Time

In the Studio

I've been very busy in the studio this winter.  Since my show went up at the Abington Art Center I've been working in rotation on several series.  Not sure how these will ever be shown together but I think this way of working will answer/resolve some important issues in my work.  And it's fun.  The bottom image is small, 40"x30", painted from a photo I took of an amazing Purple-leafed Beech at Swarthmore College.  The painting in the top photo is 6'x6' and next to it (right side of photo) is an experiment/new work that I'm not quite sure what to think about.  On the left I'm saving up the paint palate papers because I imagine stapling them all together would be something I'd really like to do sometime.

A Walk

I did talk Olivia into a walk but not until after she changed into shorts.  It was a beautiful breezy walk.  The Great Blue Heron photo is Olivia's.  He greeted us at the entrance.  Not sure what he was doing way out in the grass but he was intent on something.  Olivia found numerous pieces of shist, I think, in the new trail bed.

More Spring

It really doesn't feel like we've earned spring this year.  I'm afraid we will pay for it in extra bugs and allergies but I'll take it anyway.  Today I'm trying to talk Olivia into a nature walk.  She claims it's too hot.  In March.  She is a cold weather girl.  But still, if I try a little harder, I think I can persuade her to get out and see what's moving and blooming.