Nature
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Grasslands
We drove through S Dakota into Wyoming and entered an area of grasslands that glowed with the gold of fall. We pulled over for a picture. I’ve been pondering this as a painting. It is defined by yellow and gold tones. The features of the land are marked by grasses. Here are my first three Continue reading
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Here and There
For a day off we wandered around the region and ended up in Winona, MN This at the History Center made me laugh. It’s a coffee cart that was used by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. There is a park that looks down on the city and the Mississippi River. I’m looking for Plein Air Continue reading
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Counting bugs with kids
Here was a small thing, but it might be a big thing. Grandkids, 9 and 5 years, went into our yard for a Bug Count. Equipment: pencil, paper and clipboards. Time: ten minutes Process: explain that the bees will not bother them if they just look. Also showed how to count with hash marks. Result: Continue reading
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Many shades of green
My daughter and I went to paint at Myrick Park in La Crosse. At this time of year the marsh has abundant algae and the bluffs are very green. The challenge is to have grades and distinctions in the greens. In the past there have been some sad stories about green from the tube. I Continue reading
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Pollenators
You think your lawn is a space, but to pollinators it is the equivalent of pavement. We have some natives as well as annuals in our yard. The bumble bees and butterflies love our hyssop. Later they will be all over the asters. In an 18 inch row along our driveway we cast wild flowers. Continue reading
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Some Prairie Pollenators
Here are some friends we my et at Perrot State Park while camping. We also saw several species of dragonflies who were too busy to pose. Continue reading
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Starting Sunday June 1
Sunday, June 1 will be the first Marketplace Plein Air at Elmaro Vineyard. This will go all June on Sundays from 12-4. The Crush Pad gallery will have works from 13 artists on display. Saturday, June 7 from 7 to noon, Artists Along the Trail will be at the Trempeleau National Wildlife Reserve. Continue reading
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Trempeleau Plein Air
It is summer-like, because we have had our week of Spring. So off to the Trempeleau Reserve. I set up on the Red Pine Dike, with a view of an eagle’s or osprey’s tilted perch Tori joined the fun Here it is done. Maybe. This is Tori’s finished Love the grass! Continue reading
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Life in the window box
Mourning Doves nested and raised two babies in full view of our kitchen window. We have window boxes with lights and greens from Advent that made a good nesting area Yesterday the young ones left the nest for good. It looks like Mom is scouting for a second nest. By the way Mom and Dad Continue reading
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Cross Road
I’m working on photo references from January at the Trempeleau National Wildlife Reserve. This is from an observation loop. With a bit of photo magic (scissors) I relocated the deer from a more long distance shot. The colors are blues for sky, trees in the distance and snow shadows, along with golden yellows for the Continue reading
Two Book Reflections 