The Marsh Tacky Run and Cup

Last Sunday we had perfect weather for the 2nd annual Marsh Tacky Race. This is such a great promotional event to try and save the South Carolina Marsh Tacky breed.

They are a rare, small, colonial Spanish horse breed unique to South Carolina. My favorite fact is that these sure footed, agile horses, that were left by the Spanish explorers 500 years ago and survived in the low country's swampy terrain, were the mounts used by General Francis Marion, aka The Swamp Fox, in victorious battles against the British troops who rode larger European horses.
The 'Swamp Fox' was one of my favorite Disney programs when growing up. I had such a crush on the actor that played Francis Marion.

To see these proud little horses in the flesh was such a treat. They range from 13 to 15 hands tall. The way the newspapers spoke about these small horses, I expected to see them at 12 hands high tops (15 hands isn't that small). My brother's Palomino, we had growing up on the farm, was 16 hands. That was a good-sized horse. The Marsh Tacky horses we saw at the race didn't look that much smaller.

I began the above painting (ATC size 2.5" x 3.5") at the end of the preliminary heats. The announcer said that the horses had to rest before the final race. I was able to paint the sky and beach when all of a sudden the horses were racing!!! What kind of rest was that?? I finished up the painting in my studio.

I'm disappointed with the scan. I've so much more detail in the darks. Oh well, not much time these days for fussing.

Here are some short videos of the activities. Finally a beautiful spring day. It was a tease as Monday once again turned cold and windy.

This is Blue Duck winning one of the heats.

Here is Molly winning the mare heat. I thought she would win the final race and almost did!

This is another heat with Blue Duck as the winner. His owner/rider is William Green. I wish I could say that this was the final race, but I couldn't get to my camera fast enough. Blue Duck, the final winner, is one competitive horse :) Only Molly challenged him. (way to go girl :) )

Sunshine Award!

Woo hoo!!  Maree Clarkson, the lovely, ever so talented, inspirational artist and blogging buddy has honored me with the SUNSHINE AWARD for "Creativity and Positivity in Blogging." I'm blushing, Maree!!  Thank you so very much!

If one accepts the reward ~ try and take it back, Maree :) ~ it must be passed on to 12 others.  One must also let them know that they are nominated. Everything must be linked to everyone.

Here is my list of creative and positive bloggers who inspire and give joy to others.  Please follow their links so you can meet these outstanding artists!

Elizabeth Smith
Joan Sicignano
Ann Thompson Nemcosky
Catriona Andrews
Liz Steel
Dave Linder
All the amazing artists at WaterMarks Blog
Laure Ferlita
Lisa Holtzman
Rene Tomczak
Aldolfo Arranz
Dominique Eichi

It is very tough to stop at 12 and I so wish my Flickr buddies all had blogs.  Please enjoy these blogs as I surely do :)

Full Snow Moon

I'm so happy that the day's cloudy sky cleared and I was able to continue my full moon series :)

The bonus was going to our friends, Kate & Don's, house for dinner.  Love the moonlight on the May River!!

Kate and I dressed for the wind/cold and sat out on their dock for a half hour while I captured the scene.  I used my old book light to help me see the paints in my small travel palette.  This really made a difference.

The night sky was so much darker than the other full moon nights.  Perhaps the lack of clouds and the angle of the moon?

I missed January's full moon due to rain.  I did get a photo of rain drops on our front tree's limbs.  Not quite what I had in mind though :)

Spring and Red-shouldered Hawks

At last, a beautifully warm day with sun shine.  Low 60's and not much of a NE breeze.

A perfect day for Rob to try out a golf swing....... the first since last summer's back surgery.  I chose to journal, especially when I heard a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks calling in the air.

I'm happy to say Rob felt no more pain.  He appeared much more fluid in his swing.  He didn't feel he fusion what so ever.

A happy day :)

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Early yesterday morning I went out to photograph our highly unusual snow fall. As a bonus, I got a close up shot of a warbler. When walking the dogs, I always see them flitting around in the Wax Myrtle shrubs but, they are far to fast for me to clearly see any field markings.

I was on the sidewalk looking at the slightly elevated hedge of wax myrtles and began 'pishing'. There I stood, hoping no one came along to hear me saying "pish, pish,........pish, pish,.........pish, pish. To my joy, the warblers came in close to see what the 'pishing' was all about :)

Back to the warmth of our home I went, husband and dogs still tucked warmly in bed. Photographs were downloaded and at long last, I was able to I.D. this little one.

Yellow-rumped Warblers, Dendroica coronata, love open brushy habitats and especially fruited trees. The small loose flocks that I always see, in the winter, are eating the wax myrtle berries. No wonder they are the most common warbler of our winters. Wax myrtle's are everywhere and are always loaded with berries.

Snow! In the Low Country!!

Uncle, uncle, Mother Nature!
No more will I whimper that it's been too cold in the low country. Be feeling blah and grumbling about gray skies while other places are really getting hit with substantial winter weather.

Thank you, though, for having a forgiving heart and only sending 2 inches that was gone by 1 p.m.

Friday, 11 p.m.

Saturday 8:30 a.m.

Hilton Head Island didn't receive any snow.

Signs of Spring..... Really!

Please click for larger view.