Yesterday was a beautiful warm day. It was a nice break and reminder that spring will one day return. On my way to work in the morning, I have to pass a gate that requires me to input a code. That meant I had to roll down my window and in doing so I heard a group of Magpies chattering.
What a beautiful sight! A frost covered birch tree with 10 Magpies. It looked like a Christmas card. Guess I'll have to find time to paint that one. That's the only problem with life, it interferes with the painting of it.
Showing posts with label tshirt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tshirt. Show all posts
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Otters
I doubt if it's possible to see an otter up close and not fall in love with them. What other wild animal has so much joy in playing.
Nature programs on television always show the ones wrapped up in seaweed lying on their backs cracking oysters on their bellies with a rock. A quick look through Google images will reveal incredible photos,their faces are so expressive.
We lived near a river that had otters but unfortunately, I was never able to catch them at play. I could only find the mudslides they made all along the banks. Anywhere there was a bit of a stream pouring into the river, they would slip down it until they had created quite a well shaped muddy slide. I'd find little footprints and could imagine the fun they'd had but I'm not sure what time of day or night they came so our paths never crossed.
This little fellow I drew seemed to have that curious look on his face that typifies the species.
Nature programs on television always show the ones wrapped up in seaweed lying on their backs cracking oysters on their bellies with a rock. A quick look through Google images will reveal incredible photos,their faces are so expressive.
We lived near a river that had otters but unfortunately, I was never able to catch them at play. I could only find the mudslides they made all along the banks. Anywhere there was a bit of a stream pouring into the river, they would slip down it until they had created quite a well shaped muddy slide. I'd find little footprints and could imagine the fun they'd had but I'm not sure what time of day or night they came so our paths never crossed.
This little fellow I drew seemed to have that curious look on his face that typifies the species.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Yellow Bellied Marmot
I had never seen a live marmot until I moved to British Columbia, but now, I look for them anytime I'm near rocks. They are curious and will watch me until I get too close then they scamper into their homes.
Because I worked at a place that had many buildings on the side of a rocky hill, the marmots took residence there. They loved popping in an out of the crawlspace under each building.
I pulled weeds around the buildings in the summer and they watch me with great interest, even if they hide under the building, they are still watching so I try to leave the weeds they are eating. On hot days, they came out in the morning and lie down next to a patch of weeds. They relax there and eat, then rest, watch me, then eat some more.
One day, I picked a huge pile of weeds and was transporting them in the back of a golf cart to the garbage bin. On top of the pile was a very large tumble weed. I didn't notice but about half way down the hill it rolled off.
I emptied the cart and was returning to gather more when I came around the corner and there in the middle of the road was this giant tumble weed.
Alongside the weed, staring, with great curiosity was a marmot. I guess something didn't look right and it had come to check it out.
I watched while it sniffed and investigated, then it spotted me and ran back to it's hideout.
Because I worked at a place that had many buildings on the side of a rocky hill, the marmots took residence there. They loved popping in an out of the crawlspace under each building.
I pulled weeds around the buildings in the summer and they watch me with great interest, even if they hide under the building, they are still watching so I try to leave the weeds they are eating. On hot days, they came out in the morning and lie down next to a patch of weeds. They relax there and eat, then rest, watch me, then eat some more.
One day, I picked a huge pile of weeds and was transporting them in the back of a golf cart to the garbage bin. On top of the pile was a very large tumble weed. I didn't notice but about half way down the hill it rolled off.
I emptied the cart and was returning to gather more when I came around the corner and there in the middle of the road was this giant tumble weed.
Alongside the weed, staring, with great curiosity was a marmot. I guess something didn't look right and it had come to check it out.
I watched while it sniffed and investigated, then it spotted me and ran back to it's hideout.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Just Ducky
Before moving to this city, my only experience with ducks was the tame ones we tried to raise on the farm.
Maybe because this is a city, where hunting is prohibited, the ducks are friendly.
The previous summer was extremely hot so we spent a great deal of time at one of the lakes, sitting at the beach, enjoying the cool water. Every time we went, a couple female ducks came to visit. After the third visit we realized they'd formed an attachment to us and wouldn't leave even if we tried to send them away.
They would roam along the banks, looking for scraps and bugs but it was obvious they'd been fed before, because the moment they spotted our food, they became a pest.
The duck pictured here has that expectant look on her face just like the one we spent the summer with. It didn't matter if we fed her or not, she hung around or swam very close to shore within reach should we decide to pull out some food.
Unfortunately, one day, when we arrived at the beach,her friend was gone. At first, we thought it was her because we found a handful of feathers in her favorite spot. It wasn't long before she appeared, but this time alone. It could have been a dog I suppose, because it was a public beach and people disobeyed the leash law frequently or even a coyote as there are many and they aren't afraid of people or public places.
I wonder if I will see her again this summer.
Have you had any wild duck experiences?
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Sparrows
Sparrows are wonderful, little birds that you can see bathing in puddles at parking lots, sharing fries at McDonalds or chirping from your eavestroughing.
The more people in an area, the more sparrows. I lived in the country for years and hardly saw one but a visit to my grandmother in town and I was treated to their constant symphony of cheerful songs.
Now that I live in the city, I've found them to be the most constant source of nature in my life.
in flocks of 50 or 60 every day and yes, they aren't exotic or unusual but they are very sweet and cheerful.
Because I was feeding them and because the winter here isn't very harsh, they stay all year round. A few winters ago it got very cold and I was curious to know where they were staying at night. We have a huge privet hedge surrounding the place and it seemed likely that they stayed there but it didn't seem like a very warm place.
One morning, it was very cold and I was going out to warm up my vehicle. I just happened to look up and in the rafters of the car port was a line of little sparrow butts. It was the cutest thing I've ever seen and I just had to draw it.
I'm sure you'll see many more sparrow images in the future.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Blue Jays
For a short while I lived in a place where Blue Jays frequented my bird feeders. I still recall the thrill of excitement at seeing that first flash of blue.
They truly are incredibly beautiful birds and it's a good thing too because their personality leaves a lot to be desired.
They attacked any other bird that came near the feeder, squawked incessantly and even fought with the squirrel.
You knew the moment it arrived from it's harsh call and the noise continued until it left but somehow I still felt very pleased to see it there.
They are very intelligent and can mimic the call of a hawk to scare away other birds if their bullying tactics don't work. They did it quite often whenever the competition for the bird seed became too much, They'd sit in the trees above and do the hawk call and the other birds would dive for cover leaving all the food to them.
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