Wednesday 8 May 2013

Colour and Promise - part 2

My apologies to early readers last week who saw that I thought the baby Pine Siskins were baby Goldfinches. Thank you for setting me straight. They sure are growing fast.

Today I am sharing some pictures that I took a couple of weeks ago, on a beautiful spring day.

We have had a few summer-like days recently and my thoughts have turned to gardening. The seedlings that I have put in are growing almost as fast as the weeds.

Here an American Widgeon on an almost still pond.



The Bulrushes provide perching sites, nesting materials and food for the birds and ducks.


The turtles (painted turtles) catch the sunshine on a warm afternoon.


Ring necked ducks, male and



female:


A Mallard, maybe sitting on eggs, she did not budge as I walked past, but she did watch me closely.


Down at the shoreline, the tide was going out, revealing clam shells


barnacle covered rocks,


and this clam shell that reminded me of a butterfly.


A seagull (glaucous-winged) was search the shallow water for anything tasty.


Sailboats, big and small were out, and there was a group of kayakers practicing ``wet exits``(purposely tipping their kayaks to practice reentry skill); looked like hard work.

Out:


Back in and pumping out the water:


All with supervision of course:


Hardy souls, looked pretty chilly on the water!

I went back to my beach combing:






interesting textures and patterns on this wood and stone, both close to the wharf.



Small daisies, I remember spending hours making chains of these as a child.


Periwinkle, I think.

A beautiful white camillia.


The tulips have been beautiful this spring, but are almost at an end now with the weather getting warmer.





Flowering shrubs and colourful spring foliage to delight the eye:





It always amazes me how fast plants grow this time of year, with noticeable changes every day. The weeds too are thriving too as are the ``volunteer`` plants (those that grow up from the compost that I spread on the garden in the springtime); this year the tiny arugula and fennel plants are everywhere.

I have been spending a lot of time outdoors in the garden and less time than usual in the studio but I have recently finished another seashore themed painting:

Here clam shells are catching the low late day light of a winters day. I call this "Say Ah":



A watercolour of course, for more information follow this link: GillianOlsonArt.blogspot.ca

Thank you so much for stopping by, and a special thank you to all those who leave comments for me, I really appreciate hearing from you.

 Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next time ..............



16 comments:

  1. AH! I would love to be out combing a beach for treasures right now. The wigeon is such a handsome bird as is the ring-necked duck. Kayakers seem to be amazingly hardy. I have seen them out on Lake Ontario in the depths of winter... but NOT practicing "wet exits."

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  2. Another enjoyable set of images. Good to see everything is warming up.

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  3. wow, that painting could have been one of your photos with just a tiny bit of texture added! wonderfully done! i like your name for it, too!

    beautiful ring neck shots! like the barnacles, too! beautiful walk all around!

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  4. A lovely selection Gillian.

    Interesting to compare the American Wigeon with our European Wigeon, and the Ring necked Duck with our Tufted Duck.
    Yours would be quite a rarity if they turned up over here.

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  5. A beach full of wonders, so pretty. Cheers Gillian for all the things that makes life worthwhile. And your painting, wow, love it.

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  6. Another beautiful series of photos. Your spring day photos are especially beautiful. I had a chuckle over those kayakers learning to tumble out and then get back in. That's why "sit-on-top" kayaks are so popular out here - no need to worry about getting rid of the water on the kayak!

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  7. Beautiful painting...I do love seashore.

    I miss seeing more ducks, there are some here in the fields, but they are pretty wild. In the cities the ducks are used to people, and generally ignore them...here they fly away.

    Jen

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  8. Wonderful spring photographs and painting too. I love exploring on the beach.

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  9. Beautiful collection of photos, your painting is lovely.

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  10. The Widgeons and Ring-necks are beautiful! I've never seen either one. Gorgeous flowers!

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  11. Lots of wonderful photos my friend. I just love strolling down the beach looking for shells. Its a perfect way to spend a morning. Once again I have to tell you that your paintings is amazing. I love this one.

    Hugs~

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  12. Nice set of pictures - I recall having to do these "self rescue" drill from canoes and kayaks - even at the height of summer in the UK it was cold!!

    Cheers

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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  13. Your watercolour is gorgeous Gillian, you really capture the essence of the clam shells beautifully.

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  14. Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'
    Robin Williams

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  15. There's always a beautiful collection of nature's best over at your blog. Topped off with a lovely piece of art. Who could ask for more?

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  16. What a beautiful place you live in. such a contrast to the desert! Love the flowers and the beach scenes. The shells look so pretty in the sand!

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