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Bunnykins in the Grass
Read more: Bunnykins in the GrassThis summer, I came across Bunnykins (the young rabbit that visits my feeder in the wintertime). He was sitting in the grass by the side of the road, looking sleek and happy. I knew it was bunnykins due to his coloring, and the fact that he was not shy at all when I walked near,…
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Kingfisher: Acrylic painting
Read more: Kingfisher: Acrylic paintingI have been very busy with work and getting for an art fair next week, but I did finish a painting of a kingfisher. This was done in acrylic, and is based on a sighting in Presque Isle several weeks ago. There is a marsh near the lighthouse where these birds hang out during the…
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A Year of Birds: August 2022
Read more: A Year of Birds: August 2022This has been a very busy month, but I am trying to find time to go birding. The sandhill pair is still hanging out near Misery Bay in the marshes, but I haven’t seen the baby. I hope it is okay, I will check on them to see. While hiking, I saw a young merganser…
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On Giving Back
Read more: On Giving BackI believe that each of us has things that inspire us, concern us, and motivate us. These are the things that we are passionate about, the things that cause us to take time, effort and even donate money towards.I have several things that qualify for the above. In this post, I want to share about…
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A Year of Birds: July
Read more: A Year of Birds: JulyJuly 2022 The weather is getting warmer now each day, bringing the whine of mosquitoes and the droning buzz of deer flies. The only value I see in these pests that bite whenever I venture outdoors is that they do feed the birds and their fledglings. At a nearby park on the river, I saw…
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Shiny Cormorant: Acrylic Painting
Read more: Shiny Cormorant: Acrylic PaintingI had fun painting this cormorant; after I created his body using a mix of ultramarine and umber to create a rich black, I used gold paint mixed with sienna and blue to create the shiny feathers on his back. I also used some opalescent paint in the water for a bit of extra shine.…
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A Year of Birds: June 2022 (part 2)
Read more: A Year of Birds: June 2022 (part 2)The egrets can be seen in the marshes, but are quite shy, and will fly off as soon as they see me. I will keep trying, though. I also saw a sparrow on a log enjoying the sun. I love their markings and songs, which are so cheerful. As I was driving to the store…
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A Year of Birds: June 2022 part 1
Read more: A Year of Birds: June 2022 part 1The days are finally getting warmer, and there was a heat wave on the first of June: the temperature went above 80 degrees (F)- a miracle! And with the warm weather has come mosquitoes, the bane of Michigan bird watchers. Whenever I go into the marshes, clouds of them appear, and they seem to be…
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Sandhill Cranes: Acrylic Painting
Read more: Sandhill Cranes: Acrylic PaintingI love sandhill cranes, and am always awed when I see them gather in the grassy marshes. This painting reflects how these beautiful birds make me feel. I used my normal palette of earth tones.
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A Year of Birds: May 2022
Read more: A Year of Birds: May 2022A Year of Birds The first week of May, my friends and I drive back north from North Carolina. There are plenty of birds to see, but we are in a hurry to make the long trip. Finally, we are back home, and to reward ourselves, my friends and I indulge in a quick trip…
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A Year of Birds: March 2022
Read more: A Year of Birds: March 2022March is certainly coming in “like a lion” here in North Michigan with snowstorms, cold wind, and bitter weather. When temperatures sitting near zero still, it feels as if my hands, feet, nose and even eyes hurt if I am out too long. My visits with the birds when I feed them are short on…
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A Year of Birds 2022: February
Read more: A Year of Birds 2022: FebruaryThe deer come to the bird feeder, and try to finish off any seeds left over. I see them each evening at around 4:30 pm. The numbers vary, but with the long, hard cold of winter, they are desperate for food. They are also fairly tame; I can almost walk up to them and pet…