About a week ago, I made a mid-day hike in the summer heat at Red Gate Woods. Crazy? Maybe. I didn’t realize how humid it was until going up several steep hills on the orange trail. When the back of your shirt becomes saturated with sweat…it’s humid.
Yuck.
What was yummy on the other hand, was all of the interesting things I found along my trail. Like, several large Ox-Eye Daisies amongst tiny pink flowers, which I believe are Deptford Pinks. I also found a hard-shelled dead bug on a stone bridge over a small creek.
At the end of the orange trail, I came upon a band of blue jays. I grabbed my voice recorder and recorded some interesting sounds. Not only did they call out, but several blue jays made “clicking” sounds. If you turn the volume way up, you can hear it…sorry about the traffic noise…I have a cheap recorder and there is a street near by.
Oh how happy I was to walk into this auditory treasure! And happy even more so to share it with all of you!
There are many treasures in the woods, but sooooo little time.
Let's Paint Nature! 
Wow! A post with a cool sketch and an audio track!! You’ve outdone yourself this time, Christine!! : )
You know what the coolest part of the sketch was, IMHO? How you added the trees and other imagery in the background to balance out the composition. A great spontaneous look and perfect balance– most excellent!
Great Father Day’s scripture passage, and I also liked the sound of the bluejays driving their hotrods– vroom, vroom!! : )
Hahaha! Bluejay hotrod! Yeah, too bad I was so close to the road.
Thanks for all the kind words.
Love your artwork! Do you keep an art journal for these? Did you paint while there, or once you returned?
Yes, I keep all of the sketches in a watercolor journal…it’s so fun to go back especially in a different season and look at the past year. Brings back detailed memories.
This sketch I did when I got back home from pictures. I do however also sketch in the field. It all depends on how I feel that day. If I want to hike for a really long time without carrying anything, I will sketch at home.
Thanks for the comment!