Summer time assortment

We had some rain so skies are now blue again here unfortunately many other areas of the province are not so lucky.

I have a summertime picture assortment for you today, these pictures are from a recent trip to Saturna Island.

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” 
Henry James
 

I am starting with a few birds. It looks as if this sparrow has got something to say to me, actually it was grooming and I caught it just as it lifted its head. See how dry the underbrush is.

 

I was really happy with this raven photo.

 

 

An eagle with a fresh catch ...

 

 

 

 

... and in flight.

 

 

The eagle has landed, well almost.

 

 

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” 

John Steinbeck

 

A couple of pictures of a heron in flight.

 

 

 

Same heron with breakfast.

 

 

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken."

James Dent

 

Here are a few artsy pictures of shore and forest.

 

 

 

 

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time."

John Lubbock

 

 

A starfish trying to tuck in under the rocks for safety.

 

 

Salal in the morning light.

 

 

A couple from the outside the "coffee bus", a double decker bus that has been converted into a coffee bar; I apologize for not taking a bus picture.

 

 

This is a picture taken of the shadows on the umbrella that we sat under to enjoy our coffee.

 

 

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."

Sam Keen

 

A thistle.

 

 

I took this because of the great patterns on the side of the boat.

 

 

A close up

 

 

And finally a few critters.

 

 

 

 

"People take pictures of the Summer, just in case someone thought they had missed it, and to proved that it really existed."

Ray Davies

 

 

Happy dogs!

 

 That is all the photographs I have for you this week.

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Here is the finished version of "Reflections in Still Water":

The slight wrinkles are because it has not completely dried yet.

 

And finally ............



As promised here is the final food card painting. This one is titled "Berry Time":

 

It is ink and watercolour, or mixed media.

 

There are now 12 food cards, each includes a recipe card using the pictured ingredient.

 

 

SPECIAL OFFER - only through my website, and only until the end of July:

 

Set of 12 Food Cards - Series 2 with recipe cards inserts and envelopes for just $25 (plus postage and handling cost of $6.00)

 

follow this link:

 

http://www.pswhimsy.com/food-cards-series-22.html

 

you will find the set at the bottom of the page

 

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 Until next time...

Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

 

happy Whimsy Wednesday,

 

Gillian

  

 

 



Tall, dark and handsome?

The last couple of weeks got swallowed up in projects and I completely forgot about blogging. Sorry.

So here is a post mostly devoted to crows. Well not so tall, but definitely dark and handsome.

Crows are fascinating birds to watch, or be watched by. Very intelligent and very curious birds. These birds may remember that I sometimes have a treat in my pocket for them.

Do you think?



Anticipation ...


 

 

Please..oh please..

 

pretty please ...

 

Well I just happen to have a few peanuts. Do crows like peanuts? Oh yes.

 

Not just one peanut, they cram as many as they can into their beaks. The crow below is "stacking" his peanuts.

 

 

How many nuts can one crow stuff into its beak? Well three is good but I have seen them occasionally get four at the same time, with one or two in their throat and a couple in the beak.

 

 

Impressive to watch. 

 

 

The crow below has a peanut sandwich in mind, also notice the small amount of greenery, that's 3 food groups together! Smart crow.

 

 

Just in case you are tiring of crows here are a ring-necked duck, a sparrow and a towhee, the towhee was taken through a window so the picture is not quite as crisp as I would like.

 

I have been busy painting, in fact I even painted a bird this week.

 

This one is almost finished, it is a watercolour of a Ring-necked duck. The photograph doesn't quite do it justice, when I am finished I will scan it and post it again.

 

 

I have been focussing on paintings of masks for display at Image West (2885 West Broadway, near MacDonald Street in Vancouver); the owner is happy to have a colourful rotating display of art on his walls and I am happy for the opportunity to display my work.

 

Image West is the hair salon I have been going to for many years, really great people, if you would like to see the art they would welcome you.

 

Here are two new mask paintings, both are watercolours.

 

Carnival 3: 

 

Carnival 4:

 

 

For more information about these paintings you can go to my website

 

www.gillianolsonart.com

 

or email me at

 

gillinthestudio@gmail.com

 

 

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Well that is all I have for this week, hope you are all keeping well, take care of yourselves,

Happy Whimsy Wednesday,

Gillian 

 

 

 

Gold Rush

A few days ago when I returned home there was quite a chorus of birdsong coming from next door. Not a song and a reply, but a great confusion of song, dozens of birds singing at once.

I watched and listened for some time but still wasn't sure what kind of birds they were.

I went inside for a while and then noticed quite a number of birds fly onto my feeders. A different crowd than I normally see ... and then more and more. So I got the camera.

Pine Siskins! Baby Pine Siskins at that, at least two dozen of them; on the feeders and the ground under the feeders, on the fence and in the trees. At first I thought they were Goldfinches but early readers set me straight.

This chickadee was in the minority for once.

They foraged in the grass under the feeders.

Some of them seemed a little confused, standing on top and hanging underneath the feeder.

This sparrow does not look pleased with all the unexpected company.

Such a cutie, and looking a bit younger than some of the others.

This little one curled up on the feeder and

Nodded right off ..........

Sorry here's a second picture ...

So much activity around the feeders, obviously more than one brood.

They have been around for a few days now and are growing quickly. I only saw the adults once at the very beginning, maybe they have gone off by themselves for a rest.

I have been trying to keep the feeders stocked.

That's my birdie offering for this week.

I did get some painting done though, another seashore painting called "Beach Buddies".

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

This and other recent works are featured on cards at on my website (PS Whimsy) under New Items and Specials:

CARDS (with envelopes): 1 for $4, 4 cards for $14 and right now when you buy 4 of the same card you can use the bonus coupon to receive another card free.

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