Hiking & Painting in Nature – Chicago
A Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) came by to say, "Hello." In return I fed him suet. I quietly sat contemplating his woes. They are many, for while he ate his breakfast it was a mere 8°F. He ate alone and used the pine tree in my backyard for cover several times: grabbing suet, flying to … Continue reading A Red-breasted Nuthatch Said Hello
If you're lucky enough to live in an area where you have both downy and hairy woodpeckers, you may be hiking in the woods and see one of them. They look identical except for the fact that one is small and one is large. But how can you quickly tell who is who if they … Continue reading Quick! Downy or Hairy?
Uncertainty is certain in life. At some point, no matter how much you have prepared, things happen. Sometimes these things can sweep your off your feet and knock you down. It happens to all of us. Don't worry. The most beautiful words I've read are, "My times are in Your hand..." Our timeline has already been … Continue reading Help in Troubled Times -Free Download- Cardinal
Spring at Centennial ParkSpring...new beginnings...tender...fresh...new life. Those are just a few words that come to mind when I think of spring. A few days ago I had the chance to experience those feelings at Centennial Park in Orland Park, IL. A cute little gazebo adorns a lake which is teaming with wildlife! On this … Continue reading Spring Gazebo Watercolor Sketch
Oh boy do I love spring when the birds return! It's so exciting to see a bird you have never seen before or one that you haven't seen in nearly a year! Well, that's what happened when I visited Turtlehead Lake in region 8 of the Cook County Forest Preserves yesterday evening. My first thrilling … Continue reading Turtlehead Lake Birds
Spring...hello...spring? Where did you go? Yesterday was 65°F and mostly sunny, just beautiful. But when I woke up this morning, I was greeted with a snow storm! Yes, the temperature has dropped over 30 degrees and brought with it a northern storm. What a teaser. Anyway, the birds are scrambling for food. Including this red-wing blackbird … Continue reading Red Wing Blackbird Sketch
Just a few bird pictures from my hike last weekend, here we have a tiny little chickadee and an incoming downy woodpecker. Now that's odd. It's not everyday you find a bagel in a tree. Someone left this bird treat on a branch for easy bird access. By the looks of it, some winged friend already … Continue reading Birds and Bagel
Last weekend while hiking, I came upon some benches that had walnuts on them. I did not put them there. Feeding the wildlife is prohibited in the Cook County Forest Preserves, it's a definite no-no. But boy did I get to see some up close birds! My favorite of the bunch: white-breasted nuthatch. Hey...Look at me … Continue reading Woodland Birds
Am I crazy? No! There are many things we miss when we decide not to hike because it is yucky outside: 1. Wildlife is abundant. 2. Humans are not abundant (perhaps the reason for wildlife abundance). 3. The smell of the earth. Yum! 4. The pattering sound of the rain hitting leaves and puddles. 5. The color of … Continue reading Let’s Hike in the Rain at Spears Woods
OH BOY! Look who came to visit me this morning at my house! It's an Eastern Towhee. The first one I spotted this year. Welcome Mr. Towhee! I first noticed him in my pine tree. At first I thought it was a sparrow, but then noticed his long tail flick several times. Humm...that's no sparrow. … Continue reading Eastern Towhee Sketch
