Signs of Spring..... Really!

Please click for larger view.

January Low Country Day

It has been such an unusually long, cold winter in the low country that I've not done any plein air journaling in several weeks.  In my semi-frustration with the weather (can't get too frustrated when I see what the rest of the country is experiencing) I decided the bleak winter landscaped must offer something that would spark my interest.  The camera was put into my pocket

We drove the golf cart (sides down of course - the dogs hate the cold) up to the golf course.  Rob headed to the practice green, the dogs and I made our way down to the boardwalk trail.  The swamp is so dismal this time of year.  I beefed up the colors :)

Song birds were flitting about in the wooded area before the swamp.  Titmouse, Carolina Wrens, Cardinals, and very quick Warblers.  I 'pished' for a bit to see if any birds would come in closer but, as good as the dogs were, my feathered friends decided to ignore me.

A little farther down the boardwalk I happened to catch site of a wee bird landing on top of a nearby dead tree.  It climbed around to the back side and as I made my way along the boardwalk I was able to see it quickly duck into a hole.  I never did see the entire bird again.  It was busy making room in its new nest.  I'm thinking it's a Brown-headed Nuthatch but I'll need to visit the trail again to confirm.

I usually see Resurrection Ferns growing on Live Oak branches, but lately I've noticed they will grow in the most amazing places.  Today I saw them on a dead tree that still had some bark left on it.  The bark was moss laden and the ferns were starting to dry up.  If I went back today, I'd see 
them 'resurrected' in full glory.  We've had lots of rain... just what they require to come back to life.

For Animal Lovers

Below is a National Geographic 4 minute documentary about a hound dog and and Orangutan.  You've got to see this joy!
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/the-orangutan-and-the-hound/1356710375

Hooked on Phoebe

Hooked on Phoebe
Originally uploaded by PJBee

Oh, Vickie, what did you start :)
But, really, thank you so for bringing Phoebe to our attention!! (Please click on image for larger view)

Life's been crazy of late and I haven't had time to really finish a journal page. I began sketching this sweet Allens Hummingbird, on the 19th, using a light grey color pencil.  Then on the 22nd, sketched the chicks and noted their amazing instinct of putting there butts up on the edge of the nest when they had a b.m.

I've seen parent birds clean nests of their babies bm's, but never witnessed newborns with these instincts.  Perhaps it's because Mom basically is doing everything herself.  Dad-o-Dad just mates and off he goes.

Today, I got tough with life and said enough! I'm at least going to paint today's sketch :) I put the web cam on pause and lost my self in sketching and painting her.  The other sketches were done live from the webcam.  Luckily, Phoebe strikes repeated poses :)

Ahhhh, peace!

Eagle Web Cam

Hey, why not....... web cams from Hummingbirds to Eagles :)  Oh, and let's not forget our very own Hilton Head Island Osprey cam - but they haven't returned to the nest just yet. Look for the Osprey toward the beginning of February.  Enjoy!

Live Allen's Hummingbird Web Cam

Vickie Henderson posted wonderful sketches of Phoboe Allens, an Allens hummingbird that is incubating 2 eggs that are about to hatch.  Please check out her post and here is the link to the live cam.

Can't wait to have time to sketch this beauty myself!  Enjoy!

Ornaments for 2009

Ornaments for 2009
Originally uploaded by PJBee

Every year I try to make special ornaments for Shannon, Bridget & Jessie. They lived next to us in NY. How I loved watching them grow. I miss them a lot and try to stay close.

I was a bit late with my Christmas inspiration and these didn't get mailed until after the holiday. Just as I popped the package into the mail slot I realized I hadn't photographed them! Ahhhh!

Luckily they were up for a photo shoot. Their mom, Mary Jo, is super. She not only had the kids hold them but also provided closed ups :) I played with photoshop and made a collage.

The ornaments are 3" squares of 300 CP watercolor paper. I used acrylic inks and sprayed them with UV spray. To see a larger view, please click on the image.