On Thin Ice

A couple of weeks ago we had some cold clear weather and a thin layer of ice formed on the local pond.

Signs were posted to prevent people from walking on the ice and the ducks adjusted to the new layer. Or did they?

 

They skidded in for a landing and walked slowly and carefully across the ice.

 

But open water ..

was just better.

 

 

then quite suddenly, the ducks started rushing at the edge of the ice,

 

and like a living ice breaking team pushed their way across the ice and more and more ducks joined in ... 

 

until one whole side of the pond was clear

 

 

as they continued to swim around the water cleared

 

and back were the blue waters and beautiful reflections.

 

our job is done here

...way better...

 

yes, way better!

 

 

Hope winter is being good to you and you are getting some blue skies and not too much ice and snow.

 

I am still busy on non art projects and have not been spending enough time painting, I hope to get back to it soon.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

 

happy Whimsy Wednesday,

 

Until next week,

 

Gillian.

 

 



Who's Watching Who

Well I am back.

Bird watching is a curious phrase, I often feel like the watched rather than the watcher as in these pictures:

Asleep?  I don't think so...

Watching while having a dip...an eye out all the time.

 

 

 

This eagle was surveying its surroundings, taking in me and everyone else passing by.

 

 

 The Redwing blackbirds have been back for a while and are staking out their territory around the pond.



 

 

 

A Rufus sided Towhee taking a rest from foraging in the undergrowth.

A Robin catching the early worm still has a bit of time to keep and eye on me.



..and this Chickadee stopped to watch me pass.

 

 

The Crows are always alert.

 



It is two weeks since my surgery and I am feeling much better, still sleeping a lot but able to get out and walk now. The fresh air is wonderful and I even took my camera with me yesterday and came home with these shots.

 

I have started splashing a bit of paint around in the last couple of days but have nothing to show yet.

 

Spring seems to have snuck up on me this year, I think it came while I was napping. I am looking forward to improving my fitness, flexing my artistic muscles and enjoying the new season.

 

Until next time, happy Wednesday, thanks for stopping by.........

 

Gillian 

 



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 ..............