Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Patience Paid Off


Photo I waited for of this female ruby-throated hummingbird

Hummingbird among the bee balm flowers


Hummingbirds are difficult to photograph. They're very sensitive to movement and fly off if they sense you are close by. To get the photographs I did, I waited a long time until a female hummer arrived at the bee balm, and I took the photos from inside our cabin. These tiny birds move so quickly that most photo images I take of them turn out blurry. I felt very lucky to get the top photo. It's not perfect, but you can clearly see this beautiful gem of a tiny bird!

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Today's Backyard Visitor


At first, when I saw movement in the peach tree out back, I thought it was a bird. On closer inspection, I found it wasn't a bird at all ... but a very cute chipmunk who'd found a nice sunny spot to snack!

Comfortable spot in the crook of the peach tree

Closer look at the chipmunk

Monday, June 22, 2020

Little Cat ACEOs


Some of my new miniature "little cat" paintings ...

Morning

Noon

Night

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Father's Day Surprise


Kevin found this box turtle on our walkway

She got shy & clammed up

Her underside was very colorful

I coaxed her out of her shell with a wild strawberry

She seemed quite pleased!

A happy box turtle & a fun surprise visitor 😊

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Summer Solstice


Today is officially the first day of summer … enjoy!!!🌞

Day Lilies Bright in the Sun

Mamma Cottontail Bunny

Beans are starting to come!!!

Stella Dora Lilies

Bee on Bee Balm

Pretty Pansies

Friday, June 19, 2020

Bee Balm Brights


The bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds will be very happy now that the bee balm flowers are opening. A combination of showy red and hot pink ones are growing in our garden, and the blooms are super bright in the sunshine!!!


Bee Balm Garden

Bright, Showy Bee Balm Blossoms

Saturday, June 13, 2020

It's Day Lily Time!!!

First day lily to bloom

Among many more to come

Friday, June 12, 2020

Early Morning Sun

A white ball of light rises in the east

Sunshine lights up the crepe myrtle trunks

And the crepe myrtle leaves

And the baby bunny's ears

Sunlight provides a glowing backdrop for bean plant flowers

The sun even makes Silvia, our giant angelfish, glow!

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Cute Cat Pics

Inquisitive Shanti

Sleepy Silver

My Study Buddies

Bath Time

Why'd You Wake Me Up?

Monday, June 8, 2020

Seeing Pink

Beauty is a butterfly (on pink azaleas)

Tiny pink Baby's Breath

Hot pink beauties lit up by sunshine

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Good Day, Sunshine!


The Newest Miniatures


Here are a couple of my newest ACEO paintings ...

Box Turtle & Blackberries

Chipmunk Sampling Sweet Clover

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

June


It's already mid-year, and what a year it's been. The devastating coronavirus continues to plague the world, and lives continue to be lost. Many people have lost jobs and face losing their homes. Anger and anguish are spilling over into the streets, after yet another black man was detained and murdered by high adrenaline, out of control police officers. While the brother of this man called for peace, some protestors turned to violence. The horrible nature of events grow more so with the inept and monstrously ignorant leadership from the president. November and the election can't arrive soon enough. If ever there was a need for change, it's now. I hold out hope that it's totally clear to a majority of voters that restoration of strength, civility, and justice can only come through new leadership in this country. Our democracy depends on it.

Meanwhile, there is still beauty to be found, with nature providing a respite for the weary through its endless marvels. Flowers are blooming and birds are busy fetching food for their hungry nestlings. Especially at this time, when our hearts are heavy and our spirits low, we need to remember there will always be good in the world and strive to contribute to the better part of our own human nature.

Here are a few of the sights in our yard from the first days of June.

A robin grasps an earthworm it will take to feed its young

A pair of volunteer fox glove flower stalks

Star-like mountain laurel flowers begin to open

Azaleas bloom for the birds

Sweetgum leaves

Male brown-headed cowbird