Nature Notes ~ Autumn 2017

The Infinite Beauty of Color

Home for Mother Forest

Fall is in the air...

When the nights become cooler and the sun's angle begins to shift, it brings such a sense of calm well-being to our world. Summer's heat subsides and the transition to autumn's splendor begins...

It's a time to enjoy all the gorgeous fall colors while appreciating the abundance that nature provides with her unlimited gifts. Watching the leaves change, I wonder how many colors there actually are. I imagine the number is infinite. As an artist, color is one way I express my love for nature by mixing paint and letting it flow onto paper to create shapes and messages about the unity of life; about how we're all connected to the whole.

I'm so delighted you're here! Happy Fall!

Home for Sugar Maple

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Sneak Peek at New Work

My painting Home for Ridgway's Hawk is now complete!

​Ridgway's hawks are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list with an estimated population of 300 birds left in the world. Dr. David Anderson is the director at The Peregrine Fund and he, along with other dedicated scientists, staff and volunteers are working to save these amazing birds with support from Morris Animal Foundation.

Ridgway's Hawks are now only found in isolated areas including Los Haitises National Park in the Dominican Republic, one of the bird's last strongholds due to habitat loss, human disturbance, and botfly infestation of nests. If you look closely, these beautiful islands are supporting the nest in my painting below as a symbol of how important this area is to the hawks.

I'm part of an international group of artists who is painting the most endangered bird species on IUCN's red list to bring awareness to conservation efforts. An exhibit, entitled Silent Skies, will be a collaborative super-mural mosaic displayed as the artistic centerpiece for the 27th International Ornithological Congress in Vancouver next September 2018.

Stay tuned! My next painting for this project will be the Amber Mountain Rock-thrush!

Home for Ridgway's Hawk

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Hike to Maxwell Falls

What a perfect time for a hike in the woods!

Heather and I had been talking about a hike for months, maybe even since last fall. We've known each other since high school and we finally had a chance to get together so we headed for Maxwell Falls, a beautiful trail between Conifer and Evergreen.

The leaves were just beginning to change and the water was low due to little recent rainfall, but the hike was magical nonetheless! There were lots of people (and pups!) out enjoying the day. It was cooler than it's been since spring so it was super great hiking weather. Such a wonderful way to spend a Saturday! 

I love being out in nature!

Maxwell Falls Color

Young Aspen in All Their Splendor

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Conservation Corner

Want a cool way to keep squirrels, raccoons, and other critters from digging up your carefully planted bulbs so they bloom next spring? 

Try placing chicken wire around your precious dormant bundles of life after you plant them. You can bend the edges of the wire towards the ground to hold them in place and then cover with soil and a layer of mulch. Pretty nifty!

Here's a link to more awesome garden ideas without the use of pesticides or harmful chemicals. Very cool!

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Now I'd love to hear from you...

What does autumn bring for you? How do you enjoy nature during the gorgeous fall season?

Please leave a comment below!