Through the Trellis (ox-eye daisy)

Through the Trellis (ox-eye daisy), by Mary Stebbins Taitt. This did
not scan well, so I was attempting to fix it in photoshop and art
rage, but I've decided it probably isn't a good candidate for that. I
like it on paper (A4 size [8.5 x 11]), but no matter how I try to fix
it on-line, it doesn't look the same as it does on paper. It's a
water color background with an oil flower, which gives it texture and
depth, but that doesn't translate well to digital imaging.

Skulls and Roses (Daisy)

Muskrat skull, Ox-eye Daisy, by Mary Stebbins Taitt. In my new A4 Mole.

goldfinch on Black-eyed Susans

It was VERY HOT yesterday, and I did not enjoy my walk very much. The
highlight of the walk was watching this goldfinch madly pecking away
at the seeds on these black-eyed susans.

Marigold, quick sketches

In my returned Moleskine. May not yet be done.

Bluejay Feather

I was fascinated with this tiny blue jay feather, only about an inch
and a quarter long. It's sitting on a violet leaf, to give you some
idea of scale.

I am way behind on blogging and commenting because of the impending
deadline at the Rolandale House and the work on my novel etc. So
sorry.

Eager Again

Eager is a Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) that we raised from a baby who fell out of a next. He or she is getting much larger but still eats from our hands or even sits confidently on our laps.

Eager today

This is Eager, the squirrel I taised from a baby, taken today.

Sketch of Skulls

Sketch of Skulls, by Mary Stebbins Taitt, for the art piece "Everyone
We Love" (Must die).

Green Frog again

Another green frog, Rana clamitans. (see discussion below).

Young Green Frog on Lily Pad

Young Green Frog on Lily Pad, by Mary Stebbins Taitt.

You can tell this is a green frog, Rana clamitans, although it looks a little like a bull frog, because of the "seam" that starts at the eye and moves abck toward the "tail." This is a female; the males have larger ears. I love their golden eyes!

Wild Goose Feather

The wild geese, once such a thrill to see, are becoming so common they
are a nuisance, but I still find them, and their feathers, beautiful.

Baby Geese now

They're a LOT bigger!

This is a young wild Canada goose, Branta canadensis. You can read
more about them here. (Photo by me, of course).

Baby Geese

I love seeing the baby geese, but they are now almost all grown. I
haven't had time to paint because I'm working on a novel, but hope to
paint some soon!

Wild Ginger

I'm way behind on The Naturalist's Journal--haven't had time for
drawing or posting. This picture, of Wild Ginger, was taken this
spring at Cranbrook. The wild ginger is a different plant from the
ginger used in Chinese cooking, but can be used the same way or made
into candied ginger root. However, it is protected, so it shouldn't
be used unless found abundantly on your own property or the property
of a friend or relative.

Birdfeeder predation

Something has been killing birds at the birdfeeder (not this one). I
wanted to post a picture in case anyone knew what it was, but the
three latest victums have disappeared. Of the three latest, which
were all English sparrows (why do I care? They might get other birds
or my Eager), the first one was partly torn apart and the head was
missing but the second two had holes poked in their skulls and their
brains were gone, but the rest of the bird was untouched--anyone know?
Other birds taken include more English sparrows and a mourning dove.
Please advise--should I stop putting out food for the birds? That
causes a dilemma with Eager, our rehabilitated squirrel. We want to
be sure he has enough to eat. But I don't want all the birds being
picked off!

Ox-eye daisy in rain

I love the spirals in the center.

Ceruean Blue

Of course, they are pretier with their wings OPEN!

Sandhill Cranes

Today at Kensington! (I put a similar but slightly different one on
Detroit Daily.)

Eat those Invasive Plant Pests

from the
Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council

Eat those Invasives!!

You can do more than just get mad at them and pull them. You can eat some of them!!

Invasive Plant Recipes Appetizers Egg Dishes Pasta Salads Side Dishes Soups Desserts Patapsco Heritage Greenway's Annual Garlic Mustard Challenge Brooklyn Botanic Garden article: Garlic Mustard - A Palatable Pest Invasive Plant Atlas of New England's recipe listings Japanese Knotweed Recipes

Supernatural experience, 1982

Oh to Sprout Wings and Fly

"One exciting day last summer, a group of Campfire kids found a
dragonfly nymph climbing up a branch along the Bog Trail. Suddenly it
began to look strange. The back enlarged and it appeared to have what
the kids called 'eyes' under its skin. The back of the thorax
(shoulders) burst open and the adult dragonfly began to slowly emerge.
All of us watched transfixed as the dragonfly crawled out of its
nymphal skin and ever-so-slowly pumped a fluid from special reservoirs
(the 'eye-like' structures) under its skin d into the abdomen. It
gradually elongated and became exquisitely thin. Finally, after
beating its wings several times, the dragonfly suddenly flew rapidly
away. The children and I were thrilled!" 1982 (Photo from Stoney Creek
2008)