Chicago Nature Lady

New Site

2008-06-16T20:32:00.004-05:00

This site has moved!

Please visit www.letspaintnature.com

Why?
Because I've merged my art web site and nature blog into one location! Yeah!
I'm also going to try and post more step-by-step painting processes from my hiking adventures.

Please make the move with me!
XOXO

Mourning Colors

2008-06-10T14:06:00.003-05:00

Remember this photo? This is a mourning dove resting on a branch outside my window.
I love his pose. That's what mourning doves do. They flop on a branch and leisurely look around. They take their time and just chill.

Sometimes I need to just chill. I know so many other people that also would benefit from just chilling. LOL.

Here is my interpretation of Mr. Mourning Dove chillin' on his branch, happy as a bird on a branch could be, in all his colors!

This watercolor is 9x12. I let loose once again and assigned colors that aren't realistic.

He likes it that way.

So do I!

Tiny Mushroom Forest

2008-06-04T21:27:00.003-05:00

In my backyard, I have a corner designated as a little rock garden. Ever since I was young, I've had a rock collection. Oh how I love different color rocks, pieces of the earth in every imaginable color!
Anyway, to give my rock corner some interest I have added a tree stump to add height in this area. On this stump I sometimes add bird seed for the birds to feast upon.
Look what I found growing on top of my tree stump.....

Ohhh, it's my own mushroom forest!

Now, I don't like to eat them as you might know, but I sure do thing they're pretty interesting!
I counted at least 17. There may be more growing in the crack! Isn't that amazing? I only wish I placed a penny next to the mushrooms so you can get a better perspective of how tiny these guys were!

Amazing things come in small packages!

Paintings in Bank Lobby

2008-06-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

I've been invited to hang 7 of my painting at Prospect Federal Bank in Oak Lawn, Illinois!
They are hanging in the lobby, behind the tellers, and also in a few offices.

Weeee! Whooo Hoooo!

Here is a list of the paintings:

Waterfall Glen 18x24
Copper Falls, Wisconsin 20x16
Deep Forest Secret 16x20
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe 23x14
Dancing Shadows 11x14
Wind Swept, California 11x14
January - Morton Arboretum 16x20

The paintings will be on display and for sale for all of June and July.

Kingfisher Fun

2008-06-01T18:56:00.003-05:00

Nice picture, but what are we looking at?

Look! It's our friend Mr. Kingfisher!

Isn't he cute? Well, actually he was more interesting than cute.
I hope everyone gets the opportunity to watch a Kingfisher's antics. I spotted this one above a small lake at Spears Woods. For you locals: From the parking lot, take the black trail to the red, turn left. When the red trail ends take the yellow trail south....only a few yards and you'll see the lake on your right hand side.
Mr. Kingfisher is amazing to watch! First, he perches himself on a tree branch and watches the water. What he is doing is trying to spot fish under the water. Next he flies above the water in one spot and hovers. He really hovers! In one spot! Then, the exciting part.....he dives head first into the water and disappears for a few heart stopping moments. If he's lucky, he flies from beneath the water with a fish! If he's unlucky, he tries again. Lucky for me, cause I get to see it again!

Oh how much fun I had watching this!

Here is the lake he was trying to fish at:

and this is just a really cool picture. Composition rocks, this may become a painting one day!

I love that yellow, whatever you call it, weed or wildflower! Yes, I see a painting in the making!!!

Nature KICKS BUTT!!!
YEAH!

Peek-A-Boo

2008-05-26T16:51:00.003-05:00

On this glorious Memorial Day, I decided to take a hike through Spears Woods, part of the Palos Trail System. What a beautiful day! It was supposed to rain all day but I got lucky, no rain, only cloudy skies and 82°F.
Last night we had a thunderstorm with heavy rain for over an hour, so today the forest was filled with a strong earthy aroma, oh how I love that smell!

Anywho....I slightly went "off track" and found this really cool handmade birdhouse. I could appreciate the time it took to spray paint all those polk a dots and attach a wire perch. Very creative! I don't know who made this birdhouse nor who placed it here, I assume it was a restoration club of Spears Woods.

Who lives in here anyway?
I found out......

Why it's a tree swallow STARING RIGHT AT ME!!!
Do you love his white chin and belly? So do I. Even better, he has this metallic blue back that is something to see in person!
This is a zoomed in picture, I didn't actually get this close.

How lucky I was to have seen the occupant of the artistic birdie residence!

Ants on My Peony

2008-05-24T10:22:00.003-05:00

I have a lovely pink peony bush that is about 8 years old. Every year gets better than the last, with larger blooms and deeper fragrance...I love it, can't live without it in the spring. I named this bush Natalie Peony, because it always blooms on my half sister's birthday, which is pretty soon!

Anyway, I was always under the impression that the peony needs the ants to eat off the waxy coating around the buds or else the flower will not bloom. THAT'S A MYTH!!!!
Read here for a great article.
The peony really doesn't need the ant at all. The ant is attracted to the sweet resin and does absolutely no harm to the peony at all, so no need to pesticide the poor thing!

I also heard another good tip:
To bring fresh cut flowers in the house, let the flower soak upside down in a bucket of water for 5 minutes. The ants get out and the flower isn't harmed. Only 5 minutes though!
Enjoy the wonderful fragrance indoors!

If You Love Color...

2008-05-20T07:00:00.002-05:00

Do you remember this photo?
I took this last month when I was walking in Tinley Creek Woods. I really love this spot which actually came as a surprise the first time I spotted it. I couldn't see the creek nor hear the creek until I was on top of it. Now, I'm not even really sure this is the official creek of Tinley Creek Woods, because the area is so large.

Inspired to paint this picture, I had a very large dilemma...there is NO color! The scene is very monotone on a cloudy afternoon. Well, I'll just have to create my own color. That's where the fun begins!

Using Wallis Museum Grade pastel paper, I decided to make an under-painting wash to set the mood. I usually block out shapes with pastel and then with a brush and turpenoid (a turpentine without smell), move the color around once wet. Today I decided to make a watercolor under-painting instead of a pastel under-painting because watercolors have such a mysterious look when allowed to do their own thing and I wanted this to show through the final painting.

Here is the final painting which is titled: "Deep Forest Secret" 16x20 Pastel.
Can you see the watercolor drip marks on the bottom left corner of the painting? That is the watercolor paint showing through. I love it! These drip marks can represent a physical thing like tree roots, or it can convict a feeling like mystery or an oddity, which is what I was aiming for.
I used oranges and pinks which are clashing colors to represent excitement and that is exactly what I felt when I discovered this creek. Now, as you can tell by my photo, I had no color to start with. As an artist you can make up whatever colors you choose. They don't have to be realistic! What's your mood like at the time? How were you feeling? Were you happy, excited, depressed, sad? Let those colors set your mood...it's fun!

"Deep Forest Secret" will be matted and framed and made available at ChristineKaneArt.com in a few weeks.
Hope you enjoy.

Awww...Babies!

2008-05-18T18:39:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm a lucky ducky!
During my lunch at work I sometimes sit outside in my car. One particular day, I noticed a female and a male robin take turns returning to a certain pine tree of a lower branch that had fabric or string stinking out.
"What's that?" I asked.
Why it's a nest! Are they feeding babies!?!
Why yes they are.....

Now don't you worry, I did not touch the branch nor the nest when I took this photo. I just stuck the camera in when the parents were away looking for more food! I wouldn't risk it just for a photo.
Let's take a closer look at the robin baby...

Individual wing feathers for us to see. The universe in such order and what a plan, doesn't come by just chance.
Creation.
What a lovely word.

Starling Bully

2008-05-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

The starlings have taken over the suet cage. Poor, poor Stella and Henry Woodpecker!
Now that it's spring, the starlings have returned in full force. Gone are the days when I would watch my little woodpecker friends visit every hour to have a snack. The starlings are bullies and scare my poor Stella and Henry downy woodpeckers away. Starlings are large and fight all the time. When battling each other for prime position on the cage, they make this really annoying screeching sound. "Screech, screech, look I'm bigger than you, go away!"
Bullies.
Since I rarely see my woodpecker friends and the suet cakes are disappearing in lightning speed, I'm thinking about repo-ing the cage and maybe replacing it with a nice orange and jelly holder as to try and attract Baltimore Orioles. I'll return the suet in the late fall early winter for my Stella and Henry, when the starling numbers dwindle!

Do starlings like oranges too?

Chivetastic

2008-05-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

Look! The chives are beginning to blossom!
I have many chive clumps in my garden, not so much because I can't live without them, but because you can't kill them even if you try, bunnies don't destroy them, and they have a pretty purple flower.
Chives are apart of the onion family and have a real subtle onion flavor. Cut them up with a pair of scissors and put them in salads, dips, or as a potato topping. Yummy.
Now for the fun part....

Oooh, pretty purple flower! Look at all of those individual petals waiting to burst out! Surprisingly this close up was taken in the early evening. I like how the dark green background turned almost black against the flower. I don't know how that happened.
Let's get a closer look.....

Delicate, huh? I can appreciate this flower much more when enlarged this big. This could totally be a huge painting one day, cropped out just like this!
Yes, paint it then eat it!

P.S. Thanks Mom for letting me play with your camera....what a cool toy!
:)

Towhee I Tink

2008-05-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

Check out these photos:
Is that an eastern towhee? It was making it's presence known! He was pretty loud.
From my view I almost thought it was a junco, but it was much larger, especially the tail and I clearly saw red around the flank area (under wing but before breast).

Could it be?

Not that an eastern towhee is all that unusual around the Chicago area, but I've never caught one on film.
This little fella was flying in Teason Woods watching me pass on the trail. He was "barking" up a storm, which made me stop and look up in hopes of spotting him.
Spot him I did as well as get his photo!

To be a towhee or not to be a towhee...
I'll let you be the judge!

Springtime Wildflowers

2008-05-08T07:00:00.001-05:00

Oh lovely little yellow (I don't know your name) wildflower, how the odds are against you! Choked by those rocks, you would much rather be by the others in the grass. Don't worry, I will step around you as not to do you harm and wish you some luck!
This wildflower/weed growing against the odds gives me strength as I understand it's hardship. Beautiful things come from struggle. I have to remind myself.

Look your friend, Mr. Purple (I don't know your name either) wildflower is having a swell time in his pebbly surrounding, you two have something in common!

If any wildflower/weed specialist can give us a name for these two, it would be like receiving a present! I always appreciate people who are smarter than myself (and there are many of them), to help educate this site!
Thanks ahead!

Duskywings

2008-05-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

Isn't he beautiful and so kind to spread his wings for this photo!
After searching in my Butterflies of North America book by Brock & Kaufman, I discovered that this fellow is the Juvenal's Duskywing, typical in the eastern oak woodland. He is definitely a male because the female is much lighter and they typically fly in the spring.
Notice his little white spots on the top portion of his wings. They look exactly like my field guide!

We will name him Duke. Duke Duskywing.
Duke was fluttering on the ground near the steam of Teason Woods (tons of oaks are here). He's quite large, about 3 inches wide and was not shy around me. As you can tell, he let me get quite close!
Thanks Duke Duskywing, hope to see you again!

Because Monday Sucks So Bad

2008-05-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

Yes, I know how you feel.
Monday is the worst day of the week, so to help with the pain of playing the rat race once again, we interrupt your stinky day to bring you these lovely pictures and video of Teason Woods, part of the Palos Trail System of the Chicago Cook County Forest Preserves.
Here is the best part of the yellow trail (all trails are labeled by color):

I just had to step off trail to get this cool profile of the bridge over a running stream. Oh how much fun I had! It never ceases to amaze me, just when I think I'm on a boring trail where all I see is the same thing I stumble upon something really cool and exciting. I love how the red contrasts against the spring green colored leaved in the background.

Here is what the other side looks like. At this spot I found many wildflowers, heard a frog (I don't know which kind), heard strange bird calls (I didn't recognize and couldn't see), and saw two butterflies.

To sit by a creekside in silence and just let it speak to you is something of which words will always come up short to describe.
So here is a little one minute video!

Hope you enjoyed even though it is still Monday!

Perfect Pose

2008-05-03T20:56:00.004-05:00

No, this is not a lawn ornament. It is not a statue that has been painted, or will be dressed in ridiculous outfits for every season!
This was a real breathing male mallard that just happened to turn sideways for a perfect pose.
Thank you Mr. Mallard.

Notice those curly end feathers by his rump? I'm sure there is a nifty name for it. Any smart fowler is welcome to educate us on that nifty term...please?!?
Anyway, this gentleman was guarding a female who was digging in the grass with her bill for food...I guess. I thought I saw her with a worm, I'm not sure.
This male did a very good job protecting her from humans and other male mallards, walking with her every step of the way studying the surroundings, being very alert.
A protector, a gentleman, and handsome.....every female duck's dream!

Before the Storms

2008-05-02T21:24:00.007-05:00

Oh how I love my storms!
Spring is the perfect time to watch the atmosphere change in the blink of an eye. One minute it's unseasonably warm and the next buckets of rain are released from a saturated sky. Blink again and the air circulates in cool currents, carrying fresh aromas.
Thunder sounds and excitement overcomes you....well it does for me!

Today was great for beautiful threatening skies and a surprise storm or two.
This was a picture I took today about one hour before thy sky opened and a super soaker drenched the earth. I love watching sheets of rain attack the ground during high winds. One after the other. Trying harder than the one before.

I don't know why I love them so. It probably started when I was a little storm watcher with my Dad. Sitting outside we would watch the storms get closer and closer, feeling the rumble in the ground before finding safety inside. Too bad he lives in the desert now where they get about a drop of rain a year! Too bad, that's gotta suck.

There's nothing like a Midwest storm!

Red Wings Here Juncos Gone

2008-04-26T18:26:00.005-05:00

Good News and Bad News.
Bad first (get it over with): My Juncos are all gone. The majority left a few weeks ago, but two mates stayed longer...I don't know why they didn't leave with the rest...but now they too are gone. No biggie, because...
The good news: The Red Winged Blackbirds have arrived!

Isn't he handsome?!? I have counted two males and two females. The females look nothing like the handsome males, they look like huge sparrows only with more contrasting white and brown marks. That's OK, I believe all males must compete for the female's acceptance. Isn't our society ass backwards, with females looking promiscuous for the male acceptance? Another lesson we should learn from nature, (sorry males) anyway...

Here is one of the males taking a bite to eat. The red winged blackbird usually hangs out near marshes and lakes but I learned that they can visit feeders during the spring for seed and then during the summer they will move to find insects. I am a very fortunate blackbird hostess.
Did I mention their "trillllllll" call? Oh, if you only can hear it! Such a back of your neck hair raising experience! I can't get enough.

White Throated Sparrow

2008-04-25T20:52:00.004-05:00

Yipeeeee! Look what I found after work today!
Why, it's a white throated sparrow feeding on the ground of my neighbor's yard!

Can you see him? I know it's really hard. I can only zoom 3x and I also zoomed in on the computer too! Look for the little yellow spot on the birds head, accented by a black and white stripe. See him?!?

This one is more difficult. He is facing left and is camouflaged against the dirt floor. Difficulty spotting is definitely a 9 on the scale. Don't feel bad if you can't find him, if he weren't hopping around I would have missed him too!

Let's Learn About the White Throated Sparrow:

6-7" bird
Yellow spot on head called, lore.
White or tan stripe with black on crown.
White patch on throat.
Migrates in the Chicago area, spends their winters in the southern part of the state.
Eats insects, fruit, seeds, will feed on the ground beneath feeders. (where mine were)

I'm so lucky to have spotted them so close to my house. I haven't noticed them here before. I just wanted to share with everyone else!
Yipeee!

Beauty Never Ends

2008-04-23T19:59:00.004-05:00

Look at how nature never seems to run out of breathtaking moments! This is the amazing scene that greeted me just before sunset a few days ago. That large tree you see is dead. Dead but beautiful, especially as a silhouette in front of a dramatic sky. Up close in person, you can see many woodpecker holes and large chunks of bark lying at the base of the trunk on the ground.
This I can promise, will be a pastel painting one day...probably one day soon because I'm so excited about it!
:)

Here is another favorite picture taken about a half hour earlier from that same path. What caused this creek to become so deep? Could it be just a small amount of water eroding the path over several years? Did this creek have a lot of water rushing though at one time? Is the soil too sandy? These are some of the unanswered questions I ask myself in my head. After I get tired of thinking so deeply, I just say, "Look at those cool roots!"
Cool Beans.

Monk Madness

2008-04-19T21:39:00.005-05:00

Not to bore you with more Monk Parakeet pictures, but these fellas decided to visit my feeder today, not my neighbors! I was able to get some really good close ups. They're so very friendly, this one facing me clearly saw me through the window but was unafraid.

I was also able to capture a nice full body profile on my railing...

Watch these stinkers shovel my feed right onto the ground. I must nickname them my little green boogers. The squirrels must love them.

I forgive them! I will never tire of these flying green gems. They are always welcome to my feeder!

Illinois Earthquake

2008-04-18T12:43:00.004-05:00

The Midwest got it today!
At 4:37am Central Illinois was hit with a 5.2 earthquake! It was so strong people in Chicago were able to feel it. Not me though. Unfortunately, I was so deep in La La Land, I had no idea what was going on.
Bummer.
The good thing is, it wasn't strong enough to make much damage or hurt people.
That's good.
I can't complain too much, I did experience an earthquake in California when I was about 9 years old.
In California... where earthquakes are supposed to happen. I remember waking up hearing a loud rumble and things breaking in the house. I was scared because I was a kid, but was glad I had the opportunity to go though it. Nobody was hurt then either.
That too is good.

Monk Parakeet Visit

2008-04-14T06:19:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised when I heard a loud "shreeeeeek" outside my window. You just can't mistake that sound, it's really, really loud! I knew my monk parakeet friends were outside! I haven't seen them stop by for a visit since last September. Funny, the last time they visited my neighbors feeders it was about 49°F and yesterday was a pretty chilly 40 something degrees. I wonder if that's a pattern?

I watched this handsome fellow for quite a while. He was shoveling out the seeds from the feeder onto the ground, much to the pleasant surprise of the evil squirrel right below (they always get lucky around here). It seems that the monk parakeet was only interested in the little bits of corn not seed, that's what it looked like through my binoculars, but I could be wrong.
Anyway, I'm thankful my parakeet friends returned (the other one was in the tree) and I heard their lovely shreeeeks!

Red Red Robin

2008-04-10T20:02:00.002-05:00

How I love the first signs of spring!
When I see a robin, bob, bob, bobbin' along, I just know he brought spring with him! Look at how his red belly is a nice contrast against those fresh green blades of newborn grass. I love his spring song, it's so uplifting and I can't help it, but every time I see one I have to say, "Hel-l-l-l-l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o Robin!" In my head though.....so I don't scare people!

I found this video on you tube uploaded by DavidHuxley. If you have just a few minutes, watch it. It is Ethel Merman and Perry Como singing, "Red Red Robin" one of my favorites as I remember my grandparents singing it.
How I wish we can go back to such an innocent time...but that's another story!
I hope you enjoy and get excited about spring!!!

Camouflage Trunk

2008-04-06T14:23:00.003-05:00

Does this look like a soldier's uniform or what?
No, this tree is not at war, but it is a young American Sycamore tree. I love the beautiful spots in different contrasts and different colors. These spots eventually peal back and fall away, reveling a beautiful smooth white trunk.

Let's Learn about the American Sycamore:

Lives on the Central to Eastern side of the U.S.
Massive fast growing tree can reach 100 feet.
Leaf resembles a maple leaf.
Bark looks like tan camouflage.
Likes moist soil and by streams (where I found mine).
Fruits are in the shape of round hanging 2" balls "buttonballs"

I did find some buttonballs on the ground and just a few still on the twigs at the top. The ones on the ground were very ripe and fell apart releasing thousands of little fuzzy things and made my fingers turn slightly orange. No matter, it's all in the name of nature discoveries!
I really enjoy this tree and cannot wait to see some leaves on it!

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe

2008-04-02T21:16:00.003-05:00

Here is the latest pastel, which is titled: "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe....Moe Has a Seed"

This painting was done from a picture that Joan from Appalachian Journal took of a real bird line-up in her tree by her feeder. Click here to see the original picture and read story.
I love Joan's nature blog and was trilled when she gave me permission to paint this picture! For her generosity, she will receive a print in the mail shortly. :)

It has taken me since the end of January to complete this painting and I am super happy with it.
Why do I love this picture?

Well, first, I love Meeny's butt. That's the second bird. I must admit I did a good butt. This backwards bird drove Gary, my pastel teacher, nuts! Every time I brought it to class he asked, "Does that bird have to face in the opposite direction?" Every time I replied, "He must!"
Moe is the last one on the right and really does have a sunflower seed in his "mouth".
Eeny is a molting American Goldfinch. Do you see the bit of black on top of his head? In the spring/summer the top will become completely black.
Miny steals the show and just happened to receive an appropriate female name!

Secondly, I love how this painting breaks the rules in art world. You are never, NEVER, supposed to have an even number of subjects in a painting or picture. He, He, He....
That is why Meeny had to remain facing in the opposite direction like the real photo, it makes the composition work even when it's not supposed to.

Lastly, I love how the lighting is coming from underneath the birds and branches, highlighting all their bellies and one butt! Their big round bellies!

This painting is rather large at 23x14.5" and is framed with a 2" wood frame the same color as the highlight in the branches and is currently on display at the LaGrange Art Gallery until May 2nd. If it does not sell, it will be made available on Christine Kane Art after May 4th.

Celebrating Spring with birdies!
Thanks Joan!!!

They Love Each Other

2008-03-31T20:30:00.002-05:00

Last Friday I went back to Maple Lake because it was warmer and sunny and I thought I might still be able to enjoy the loons. Oh boy did I! These two swam next to each other the whole time.....I think they're in love!
Not just a spring fling they have, because I hear loons mate for life. Good luck Mr. and Mrs. Loon, I'm rooting for you!

Here is a handsome fellow. Do you see his bill, it's rather white. I can't figure out if that's the sun's reflection or if it was really was lighter because their bill does turn gray in the fall/winter.
I do not know if they are still at Maple Lake or if they started their trip to the North.
Someday when I retire, I want to retreat like Mr. and Mrs. Loon to the North, where the air is clean and the surroundings are peaceful and my neighbors are the Loons!

Just a Bit Loon-y

2008-03-27T18:42:00.002-05:00

OH BOY guess what!!!
Today I saw my first Common Loon, (Whooooo Hooo!) thanks to my bloggie buddy, Dave...whom I met the other week! Dave emailed me a message saying some loons were spotted at Maple Lake in Willow Springs, IL. I read my emails on my lunch break at work and knew what I had to do...

After work, I jumped in my car, blasted my classical music and raced....in a dramatic fashion....through snow, sleet, rain, and then sleet again to Maple Lake (well, not really raced, but I was excited). The weather condition was nasty, but that didn't stop this (never seen a loon) gal!
Here is what awaited me:

WHAT'S THAT!?! What is that? Let's zoom in.....

Why, it's my first loon! Not only was I blessed by the beautiful sight of 6 loons, but I actually heard one call! I heard it!!! Now, all you nature lovers out there that had the benefit of hearing a loon call, knows exactly why I'm so excited! That beautiful sound!
I watched them while standing in the sleet for several minutes with only a spring jacket on because darn it, yesterday was so warm!
The loons were looking for food by diving underwater. When they dive underwater, you expect them to pop back up in the same spot, but they don't! They swim as they dive, for a very long time and pop up somewhere else! It was very fascinating to follow them and guess where they were going to appear.

Here are some pictures of the area. This is a great spot to fish. The Cook County Forest Preserve District did a great job building this area up and creating an area where fisher people can sit, for it use to be just a shallow shore of marshy reeds.

Well, I have to say the loons picked a great spot to rest during migration. The loons do not live around here, but they are migrating to Canada to spend the summer. I really don't know how long we are going to have this terrific opportunity to see them.
I am just so fortunate to have had the chance.
Thanks Dave!

Hocus Pocus Crocus

2008-03-25T19:22:00.003-05:00

One day, there's nothing.......then the next day....Hocus...Pocus.....

Crocus!

At least I haven't noticed them until, viola!
I love these purple crocuses. Of course they are not mine, as I am never that organized in the fall to plant bulbs, but they are my neighbor's. I mean well, I say to myself, "Oh, I should buy some bulbs." Then the ground freezes.
I wait too long.

Anyway, good job Mr. Neighbor (not the hand feeding squirrel neighbor), you're crocus brought a spring smile to my face.

Changing the subject......

April with Nature at My Doorstep (BC Canada) has tagged me with the six word memoir. Please visit her site, she's pretty amazing.
Here is mine:

WITH AWE AND REVERENCE, I EXPLORE

I do believe that best describes it in 6 words.
Nature never bores me, I'm amazed at how much I've discovered about our world and the One who created it for us.

I'm supposed to tag 5 more people, but everyone I know has done one of these!
Thanks April!

Also, I made Drowsey Monkey's day (also Canada) a few posts ago and I'm so grateful....she makes me laugh all the time! For a real hearty laugh, you must see her "Cheesus", it's hilarious! Thank you Drowsey!

Welcome Spring Watercolor

2008-03-22T20:42:00.002-05:00

I don't know...this maybe hopeful wishing because there is still snow on the ground, but today I felt inspired to paint this picture from earlier this month.....

Remember this post on "evidence of spring"?
Now in my painting, I used my artistic license and made the female sparrow larger and the birdhouse a little smaller, removed the wood fence background, and added nice watercolor drip marks representing rain for the spring season.
Oh it's so much fun to paint!

This watercolor painting is called "Welcome Spring" and will be on display at the LaGrange Art Gallery on March 31 through May 2nd 2008. If it does not sell, it will be made available after May 4th on Christine Kane Art.

I have taken on a part time job as a newsletter editor as well as holding down my full time job. This may cause me less time on the computer as I am realizing there are too little hours in a day! Posting may decrease, I hope everyone understands.
Thank you!

Winter's Grip

2008-03-20T22:02:00.002-05:00

Look at what I found in a puddle right by my work this morning! It's a half melted / half frozen puddle.
What's so special about this puddle?
Notice how it melted, the left side is obediently melting like a good piece of ice should. The right side however, is rebelling all the way...leaving shards so sharp you don't want to go near it!

Why do I like the right side better? Is that bad?
NOPE, just a lot more interesting! Here is a close up....

How can something be so fragile and look so dangerous at the same time? What lovely ice structures that formed in the night. What do you think was the cause of such a difference in melting patterns?
How nature keeps my interest at all times! Fascinating!

This winter is behaving like the right side, very rebellious. During the night tonight, we are to receive another winter storm with several inches of snow. How winter has it's grip on us! Easter is in a few day and it feels surreal. How can the Easter Bunny find his way through all that snow? When I think of Easter, I think of spring! Winter will once again put us in our place and once again I am humbled.

End of Day Pastel

2008-03-18T19:09:00.003-05:00

This pastel was created after I was driving home through the country, passing many farms, trying to get on the highway and suddenly fell in love with these trees against a setting sun. I pulled off the side of the road, ignored my family's moans and groans about having to stop, and took a beautiful picture. "Nature doesn't wait for us...." I explained to them, "You have to be ready or else it's gone!"
Well, I'm ready!

What is it about this winter picture that I liked so much?
The best feature is the dramatic skeleton shape of the trees against a warm sunset. I love warm sunsets (reds, oranges, yellows) in the winter time, it's such an ironic contrast. Next, you can still see the rows that the farmer left behind after harvest....proof of man. The cool colors (blues and purples) accented on the field, I placed to represent the cool night quickly approaching. "Hurry home!" It says, "Before the cold night takes over!"

This painting is titled, End of Day. It is available at Christine Kane Art on the pastel page.
Hope you enjoy

White Tail

2008-03-16T12:42:00.003-05:00

Hey, what's with this mourning dove's tail?

Do you see the one on the left has a normal tail and the one on the right has a short stubby white tipped tail? Here is a close up of his tail.....

Maybe this dove was injured by a hawk and is regrowing his tail feathers? Or is this a molting thing going on here?
I invite any smart birders out there to please comment with their knowledge!!!
Thanks!

Blogger Meet Blogger

2008-03-16T12:21:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I had such a surprise! I went to volunteer at the LaGrange Art Gallery and who came by for a visit? It's Dave with Osage + Orange blog! What a nice surprise.

Here we are in this cheesy picture. lol. Dave is every bit as interesting and intelligent in person as he is on my computer screen. He is filled with interesting environmental information and that's a real good thing because he runs his own company, Osage Inc., which consults builders on restoration and landscape development.
So all you local builders out there, consider Dave!

It was so nice to put a face and a real voice to a person who's blog I enjoy. Nice to meet you, Dave!

The Best Sky Ever

2008-03-14T21:28:00.003-05:00

Another beautiful spring like day today with 52ºF and better yet, a sky that exploded in color and unleashed an energy of excitement at exactly 6:15pm.
Oh how fortunate am I, to be able to experience life's subtle pleasures and capture a fraction of time, embedding it into my memory....and sharing it with my friends.

You might think that the sunset is reflecting off of a lake, but no, that is a puddle of melted snow in the middle of a large field. I spotted this puddle, across the field from a parking lot. I decided to take a chance, grabbed my camera and started to walk towards the water. I'm so glad I did, I was able to capture these beautiful shots. Here is a solitary oak leaf submerged in that melted snow...

You can see how shallow the water is in this picture. I love that single oak, it must have traveled quite far, because there is no tree close by.

I held the camera almost all the way to the ground for this picture. It creates a nice perspective and the grasses in the foreground really come into focus. Not only that, but it gives the puddle a real lake like quality, making it look huge!
I get real excited when I see such beauty. Jumping up and down is not out of the question when overcome by the excitement nature has to offer. Believe me, I was jumping! Just a little.

Little Pond

2008-03-13T20:42:00.003-05:00

With temperatures finally reaching 57ºF and a blue sky I couldn't refuse, I decided to take a walk to a nearby pond on my lunch break today. I shall name this man made pond, Little Pond, because it is little and I don't know the name of it.

Little pond has one very large tree on the property, I love it's character! Today a robin landed on one of the top branches and sang to me a tweet tune. That's the first robin I spotted this year! Tweet!

Here is a portrait style picture of Little Pond from bank to bank. I love this picture because of all of the colors it captures. From the top: Sky blue, russet, amber, sienna, green gray, blue, gray, reds in the berries (can you spot that?) and raw sienna! A full pallet of color.
I love the little pools of blue in the middle of the melting ice. How neat!

Little Pond also has some "lake front property". I believe it's vacant, but it probably comes with a hefty price tag and I'm scared to imagine the taxes! BTW, the neighbors are animals and being nocturnal, you might not catch a wink! Beautiful view though!
Haaaa, haaa, haa, ha!

How Now Brown Cow

2008-03-11T21:54:00.004-05:00

Remember that phrase? I say it every time I see an ordinary plain jane (or joe) brown bird. Now, I love my sparrows, so a "how now brown cow" greeting is a term of endearment.
Look at his plump little birdie body...

Isn't he the cutest? Well fed indeed! When he realized a human was taking his picture, he became timid and flew in the pine. Maybe he's a birdie celebrity and doesn't want me to sell his picture for millions to the National Enquirer?

Or...maybe not. He's still cute at a distance. He still thinks I'm weird.

Class Painting

2008-03-09T19:06:00.002-05:00

Last week in Gary Wick's pastel painting class, he had everyone paint from the same picture and had us finish it in 2.5 hours. Even though the size is pretty small (9x6), that's still pushing it, to complete a painting in such a short amount of time!
Well, he must have taught us something right, because everyone did finished it.
When Gary was in Italy taking a bus tour, he took a picture of a field and made copies so that everyone can have one.
Here is my painting:

Gary made just one restriction. You had to paint the picture upside down. From start to finish! Now, I can handle a few twigs upside down, but the whole entire thing? That's really hard!
The trick is just to look for shapes. Don't think tree, sky, mountains...think block, oval, and squiggly lines. It's like painting blind, your brain doesn't really make sense of what you're looking at.
Here is what I was staring at:

You really can only be sure of shapes and colors to succeed at painting in this manner.
It was so much fun at the end of the class to turn them right side up and see all of the beautiful variations the students came up with. No two paintings were the same, all of the colors were slightly different and some students decided to leave a few trees out. It was so fascinating to see the differences, I wish I had brought my camera!

I have decided to name this painting, Italian Countryside. The painting is 9x6 and mounted to fit a 14x11 medium wood frame with a 2.5" off white mat. It is currently not for sale right now, because I'm in love with it. He...he...he.
You might find it for sale in a few months at www.christinekaneart.com

You can tell Gary that was proud of us and I think we were surprised ourselves!

Stella Likes Seeds

2008-03-08T16:07:00.002-06:00

Here is the beautiful Stella, the female downy woodpecker, at the seed feeder! Usually I see her on the suet cage, but a few times more recently I caught her here. I love how she uses her tail feathers as extra support.
I welcome her to any of my feeders!

A Frozen Treat

2008-03-07T21:12:00.004-06:00

This is the pier at Centennial Park....flooded and frozen. The retention pond serves as a dumping ground for several surrounding cities. With all of the snow, melt, rain, and snow again, this pond has reached it's limit. It has reached it and surpassed it. For some reason, I still love it. When I should be thinking, "Oh flooding, how horrible." I am rather thinking, "What a magnificent scene, the ice representing a cold and quiet solitude, peaceful even to me. A forceful rest."

Next to the pier are a few benches, where you can relax and enjoy the view. You don't however, want to rest on one today!

Frozen grasses trapped and flattened in the ice, make for some beautiful artwork. Terrific color combinations composed by winter's hand. Will spring loosen the grasp?

Perhaps we don't want it to? Winter's charm never ceases to entrap me, just like this oak leaf. There is beauty in the leaf's willful surrender.

These willow trees, surrounded by ice, make the best of the situation with a beautiful sunset reflection. How gracious am I to benefit from their lovely splendor even in the midst of their struggle.

I am listening to Gregorian chant right now and the relationship between nature and God is coming together very rapidly. For my friends who choose not to believe, you do not have an obligation to read any further. See you tomorrow! :)
For my friends that do (everybody is my friend you know...I don't discriminate), these images tell me a story of struggle and beauty. Every scene for me, echoes a truth of how victory conquered death.

With Easter fast approaching, we are reminded of Christ's seemingly impossible situation of being condemned on the cross. A wrongful death? Evil overcoming good? Or was there a purpose, a meaning to this horrible act?
Jesus' death on the cross was meant by his enemies for punishment, but allowed by God to atone for all of our sins, which is His promise. This promise is brought to life every time someone asks for forgiveness.
Here is what Jesus said after his resurrection:
"These things I have spoken to you , that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Just like today's images....the willows trapped, the grasses and leaves as well, right now it seems like destruction, but beauty overcame and death did not have victory.

Happy Lenten Season.

My Friend Jim

2008-03-05T20:31:00.003-06:00

My friend Jim Milkowski loves nature and creates beautiful pieces of artwork with various types of wood that he finds in the wild. How exciting! Where I merely copy what I see with paint, he creates art with actual nature itself!

picture submitted by Jim to www.roundthefountain.org

Here is how Jim describes his art:
"My work begins with an unfinished wood picture frame. By using natural twigs, Mother Nature provides an unlimited palette of color and texture to apply to the frame. The amber hues of weeping willow, the ivory-speckled deep-brown of birch, the olives of common willow, the brilliant magenta of dogwood, and the grays and browns of basswood are what first catch our eye. In most cases though, the original color is not retained. After a 3 month drying period, the twigs usually take on subtler, more subdued hues. Other times, the color change is striking. This can be either exciting or frustrating when the colors I sought to capture have changed.
Though tedious and time consuming, peeling the bark from the twigs is well worth the effort. It opens a whole new avenue of color and texture. It affords me the option of applying stain for color and leaving the inherent character of the wood unchanged."

picture submitted by Jim to www.roundthefountain.org

I love how he tells which colors come from which type of wood. Just fascinating!

picture submitted by Jim to www.roundthefountain.org

I met Jim at the Little Red Schoolhouse Art Show, where we were both participants. I really respect and admire his work and dedication to nature. Jim has shown his work throughout Illinois (including the Morton Arboretum), Wisconsin and Michigan. In May, he will receive this year's schedule, to which I will keep everyone posted. If you're a local, I hope that you can visit Jim and view for yourself such wonderful pieces of art!

I try to make it a point to encourage and promote any artist dedicated to nature and our Creator.
Thank you Jim for allowing me to use your photos and share your talent!
Great work!

Evidence of Spring

2008-03-03T19:41:00.003-06:00

Here in Chicago we were cruelly teased with a bit of spring like weather yesterday. With temperatures souring to 53ºF and a much needed appearance from the sun...sure enough I thought spring was on its way!
"Not quite that fast!" Winter said.
Temperatures are plummeting as we speak with 3" of snow on it's way once again to blanket the ground tomorrow.
Now, I love snow and all, but when I saw this.......

I thought surely the birds know! The birds know spring is here somewhere!
This is a female sparrow on the birdhouse in my backyard. Notice the material in here beak. That birdhouse raised 3 broods of sparrows last summer. It was very exciting to watch them all grow. I felt like grandmother sparrow.

Peek-A-Boo...I still see you!

Here is Papa, he was cleaning the last bit of debris from the house. What a good man he is! I love the sprawl of his tail feather and his heart shaped back...no doubt he is demonstrating his labor of love.

Gallery Approved

2008-03-02T09:06:00.004-06:00

I am happy to announce that the LaGrange Art Gallery has accepted my work to hang in their gallery! Whooooo Hoooo!
Downtown LaGrange is a very charming area with an old world feeling. It has many specialty shops and classy restaurants. Speaking of restaurants, yesterday a few spaces from the gallery is Cafe 36 where they are currently filming a cooking show!

Remember this painting of Sunset Fire? Click here it see the step by step post. This month's theme at the gallery is "new light". I thought this painting was fitting for the subject. It looks really good framed, however I take really bad pictures of paintings after they have glass on them!

The second submittal is this painting titled, Dancing Shadows. This is also a pastel painting and was inspired by a visit to Maple Lake East early in the morning when the sunlight peaked through behind the trees causing shadows to dance on the grass. It was a great sight and another good "new light" theme.

For all the locals, you can visit the LaGrange Art Gallery and find directions by clicking here. The paintings will be on display and for sale from 03-03-08 through 03-29-08, the gallery is open M-Sat. 10am-5pm. I viewed the many paintings from various artists yesterday and they're all really good!

Leap Year Sunset

2008-02-29T20:59:00.004-06:00

Happy February 29th!

During the middle of the night we received another 2 inches of snow. It has been the snowiest winter in several long years. I never tire of it, honest. I know many friends and family are ready to bust out of their cabin fevers....not I! How can you be sick of this....

The blues, greens, pinks, and purples of a chilly winter evening, gave me such unspeakable joy! I can never tire of a beautiful winter sunset. On this leap year extra day, I decided to take a moments to visit Centennial Park of Tinley Park, IL. Centennial Park is basically a park built around a retention pond with a moat around it (shown in picture). At this spot, I spotted a male northern harrier and hundreds of mallard ducks, males and females. I didn't stay too long for it was a very, very windy evening with a strong biting wind.

Good Morning Mourning Dove

2008-02-27T19:11:00.005-06:00

I took this photo through my window with my scope, in the morning.
He is looking over his shoulder as if to say, "Are you looking at me? You wanna piece of me?"

No, Mr. Mourning Dove! I just like to watch you, maybe draw you....but definitely not a piece of you!
In fact, the mourning dove is one of my favorite birds. You might want to say, "Chi Nature Lady, why is this boring bird one of your favorites?"
Well......

* Mourning doves mate for life. When one dies, the other is in mourning.
* They are very gentle to each other beneath my feeder, they take turns and don't fight.
* They make a whistling sound though their wings when disturbed.
* Their call sounds like an owl's.... "whoo-oo-oo-oo"
* The male brings the female twigs. As he stands on her back, she makes the nest.

Gentle mourning dove...peaceful and talented!

My Owl Field Trip

2008-02-24T10:42:00.003-06:00

When I first found out that the Thorn Creek Audubon Society was going to have an owl field trip, my ears perked up like a puppy that just heard the word, "treat!" Oh Boy OWLS!
Then I realized this trip was in the morning and I thought....Owls in the day? No way Jose! How are we going to find owls during the day?
Well, thanks to leader Juanita, the "owl whisperer" who has been scoping the Bartel Grassland area for 16 years, she knew exactly where to find them!
Speaking about perky "ears".....

This is the long eared owl. Too bad the picture isn't the best. This is the first time I've ever seen them in the wild, so I didn't mind at all! According to the Cornell site, they are endangered in Illinois and rarely seen. I seen it! I seen it!
Juanita states that the long eared is this far south because it's very snowy up north and he has come here for food. We had to walk softly and quietly to his perch because he spooks easily. I never realized how loud the crunching snow is under your feet! We didn't scare him off luckily and enjoyed his presents for a good 15 minutes before we left.
At our next location we found the saw-whet owl...

I saw it! I saw it! Get it....saw-whet!
I love the saw-whet owl! He's a little round ball of fluff. This character didn't mind at all that we were there. He opened his eyes and actually yawned! Yawned! As if to say, "Oh those boring humans again." I had to laugh.
I love this picture of him, too bad that branch is in the way!

If you're wondering how I took these photos (the owls were near the tops of the pine trees), I bought a little toy! It is a Celestron scope. Very cheap! I'm cheap not because I want to but because I have to!
I'm not able to use it with my digital camera but I am able to use it with a 35mm film camera. Needless to say, I raced to Walgreen's to develop the film after the field trip.

This is just a nice picture of the surroundings, the snow is covering a frozen pond. I was very glad to see a mild sunny windless day, about 25ºF. Perfect for an owl field trip. Thanks to Juanita the owl whisperer, we were able to see our owl friends during the day. I would have never guessed!

Just a Pretty Sky

2008-02-22T19:26:00.004-06:00

Usually a sunset or sunrise catches my eye. Not this time! This is just a pretty sky. I appreciate the cloud formation and enjoy the disturbance in the lower half of the photo. Even though I took this a few days ago, it reminds me of a nice summer thunderstorm! Oh how I miss a good strong thunderstorm!

Log Carving at Lake Katherine

2008-02-20T20:51:00.005-06:00

Just another beautiful picture from Lake Katherine! Doesn't this picture look like it should be located somewhere in Colorado? If you follow this man made stream, you end up at a man made waterfall. Right at this spot it really started to rain. I'm all for walking in the rain when it's WARM...but I was freezing like a popsicle so I ran like it was going to melt me and I went for my car! Needless to say, I didn't make it to the waterfall.
Check out the color tug of war going on in this picture. Green and red are complimentary colors located opposite of each other on the color wheel. The light tan grasses in the middle of the picture is the referee, the green pines at the top of the picture is going to battle it out with the reds from the twigs on the bottom of the picture! Who will be victorious?

Make art not war....Look at what was sitting by the lake! Some very talented artist carved an expressive face into this log. It has beautiful eyes. When I walked passed, it smelled like a freshly sharpened pencil. Oooo, I love that smell.
So much fun at Lake Katerine of Palos Heights!

What's Lurking in that Water?

2008-02-18T20:17:00.003-06:00

Don't you fret....that's not a monster about to jump up and get you, only a harmless log. A log with a mean face and stern eyes and pretend mouth at Lake Katherine! Can you see it?
I love, love, love this picture. Whooo Hooo!
There are several highlights here:
First, Being an artist, I immediately noticed the gentle gradation from light blue (top) to light green (middle) then finally dark green (bottom). Color kicks butt.
Second, notice the cracks in the sinking ice. Looks like sharp pieces of glass. NEAT-O.
Third, reflecting trees in the background.....always a plus, thank you trees.
And lastly but not leastly, the creature in the foreground....mysterious, spooky, weird, awesome, all those at once!
Hey...It really doesn't take much to amuse me.
This next picture also amused me....

I love beautiful pictures on a gray day! No sun, no problem!
That green color near the edge of the water just fascinates me! Why is it so green?
I also notice a large crack in the ice in this picture. It appears that the ice sank, then began to crack (or vise versa) due to the warm weather which has quickly disappeared because right now it is only 10ºF!
Oh well, no matter what type of weather is thrown at us we always can find mystery and beauty in nature!
Nature rocks!

Lake Katherine and Thunder

2008-02-17T21:38:00.004-06:00

Today was another strange weather day. Our warm temperatures of 47ºF brought a mini thunderstorm and high winds. Catching a break in between buckets of rain, I decided to make a quick stop at Lake Katherine in the middle of beautiful Palos Heights, IL.

Lake Katherine is a man made lake which attracts many migratory birds because of it's location next to the Cal Sag River. It is a wonderful hide-a-way with a mile long wood chipped covered trail, easy to walk when you only have a few minutes to spare.
Who lives at the lake? Why these wise guys do....

What did the left duck say to the ones on the right? "You guys quack me up!" AH HAHAHAHAHA!

OK maybe that was a little lame. But look at these guys.....

I love their reflection on the ice, just like a mirror. They were statue still and standing in the middle of the lake which has an island of ice. The ice on the edge of the lake is beginning to melt and crack and has a green ting to it, which was really beautiful...more pictures tomorrow.

Damn Squirrel

2008-02-16T22:07:00.002-06:00

This stupid squirrel is enjoying "Nutty Flavor" suet cake by C&S. While his furry body hangs upside down, he is stealing food from Henry and Stella, the Downey Woodpecker couple that visits often. Fortunately, this side hinge suet cage is smarter that the squirrel. He has not figured out how to open it like he did with the bottom hinged one.
Find your own food Mr. Squirrel...least you find yourself in a pot of soup!

The Scale of Things

2008-02-15T21:26:00.005-06:00

Ok......the last picture from Starved Rock, I promise!

Inspect the scale of this picture. Notice how tiny the people are to the rocks.
Pretty awesome.
I hear the word "scale" come up a lot in my place of work. Contractors need to review blueprints to scale in order to give an accurate bid on a project. A blueprint in correct scale mathematically converts to a trained eye, the cost of materials needed to build a building. If the scale is incorrect the cost to build is incorrect and disaster in the future is inevitable.

Now, lets ponder this picture and relate to our own human scale.
In our fast paced lifestyles we seem to think we have the control to be in control. These last few weeks with the sad shootings of the customers at a retail store in Tinley Park, Il, and the Northern IL University shooting of students, and the St. Louis shooting over a court case, I wonder......why are these things happening, are we out of control?

I'm afraid the emphasis to take God out of everything, to quiet that light as to not "offend" people, has grown a generation of lost wanderers who are in the dark.
Are we missing the scale?
Look at the rocks. There is something much bigger than ourselves that created this for us, loves us, died for us, and currently wants a relationship with us.
Why do bad things happen? If there is a God, why does He allow it?
Because we are not robots but each of us possess free will. Free to do evil and free to do good. The ones who inflict such horrible pain, are truly without light, who have calculated an incorrect scale with disastrous results.

I pray for the families who have been effected by these recent tragedies and I pray that we can somehow divert future ones.

View From the Rock

2008-02-11T20:25:00.000-06:00

Let's Experience This Picture:

You're standing on top of Starved Rock looking west. You can hear the loud roar of water from the dam which is behind you. Small patches of foam on the Illinois river catch your eye as you watch them float further down. Even though the sky is heavy with a thick gray blanket, that doesn't dampen your spirits because suddenly, you hear the bald eagles talk to each other...something you've never experienced before and to the gloomy day's demise, you smile. The smell of water and snow circle around as the chilly wind pushes you like a bully wanting you off the rock. "No," you say, "let me have these moments...let me steal a few more."

I love that picture not only because it's beautiful and I can feel all of those feelings again when I look at it, but I also love how it kicks butt as far as composition! This will definitely turn into a painting some day. Ohhh, so many paintings....so little time!

Starved Rock has tons of canyons, but unfortunately there were many steep stairs on the trail that were completely iced over. Much too dangerous. Even with my hiking boots, I was all over the place, slipping here, flapping my arms there, trying to keep my balance.
This picture shows a tiny frozen waterfall. Can you see it? It's as if winter came by and stopped time in an instant, like you see on cartoons. Well that's not how it really happens, but it's fun to imagine a character like mean old winter, using his superpowers to create havoc!

Bald Eagles at Starved Rock

2008-02-09T15:30:00.000-06:00

Oh Boy! The last few days I decided to get some R&R at the Starved Rock Lodge in Utica, IL. Man was it f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c! It was just what the doctor ordered too. Starved Rock is one of Illinois' seven wonders. I'm not sure what the other six are, I haven't looked that up yet.
Starved Rock is 75 miles from Chicago and has 18 canyons, several waterfalls, lookout points, 13 miles of trails, and is located along the beautiful Illinois River.
The name "Starved Rock" comes from a story about the Illiniwek Indians who were trapped on top of the big rock seeking safety from the Potawatomi Indians, waiting for them at the base. The Illiniwek Indians starved to death on top of the rock waiting for a safe time to make it down. This story was never written down nor verified, so it remains just a story....but a neat one anyway!

I am standing on top of Starved Rock when I took this picture....
This is a picture of Leopold Island #1 and where the beautiful bald eagles like to hang out. They are there right now, can't you see them? Nope. Me either.

Let's zoom in. THERE THEY ARE! 1...2...3 There they are! I've never in my life had the opportunity to see our country's bird. I was sooooo excited. On this island of the Illinois River I spotted about 6 of them at one time. Bald eagles are huge! They're wing span measures between 6-7 feet! Holy Shmoly!

Isn't this just beautiful? He's searching for fish by the surface of the river. In the hopeful event that he can spot one, he'll dive down and grab it with his talons. Unfortunately, I did not see any of them get fish while I was watching.

Another soaring eagle! It was really impressive to watch them fly, so graceful. It's hard to describe, but I like when the tips of their wing feathers flip up as they're flapping down.

This is what the eagles are all excited about, the Illinois Waterway Lock and Dam. The dam somehow agitates the water to prevent freezing and in doing so, the fish come to the top. There were many other types of seagulls, but today we only care about the bald eagle. I felt bad for the little guys because they use up so much energy seeking food and I didn't see them get anything. Hopefully they had better luck when I left!

Mammoth Icicle

2008-02-06T21:52:00.000-06:00

Warning: Don't stand underneath this!
This message was brought to you by concerned snowmen and women who've witnessed unnecessary injuries to humans.
You'll poke you're eye out.
Or you'll lie and say that you did while hiding the fact that your favorite toy harmed you.

Ha ha ha
Just kidding! This gigantic set of icicles formed when our weather became a little mild after all the snow we received, but before all the snow we received today. Wheeeew!
Some parts of the state was SLAMMED with snow this morning. Gurnee officially received 13" in one day! As if that wasn't bad enough, the wind gust was constant at around 30mph.
Winter is kicking our butts.

Traces of beauty are left to be discovered even in the midst of a treacherous winter. My icicle is beautiful. I like the form and ripples in each spear. The best part was found directly below on the ground....

These are reverse icicles. They were formed drip by drip as the cold air refroze each drop. These reverse icicles were about 3 inches long, they almost look like crystals standing straight up. I'm sure there is probably some scientific name for a reverse icicle. If anyone knows what that name is, please let us know. Don't worry, I won't even call you a smarty farty.
Thanks!

Watercolor Winter Tree

2008-02-04T22:19:00.000-06:00

This is a watercolor painting I did after I was inspired at the Little Red Schoolhouse yesterday. It is called, "Little Red Schoolhouse Winter Tree" and was painted on a 12x9 piece of watercolor paper.
There are a few main things I wanted to bring out in this painting. First, I love the shape of the oak and how our heavy snow storm has left a few inches on all major branches. Second, I love the amber grasses peaking through the snow, that was real fun to paint, flick, flick, flick! Third, I also love a misty background and the snow covered fence.
Here is the actual photo I used for reference.....

As you can tell, the real photo does not have a misty background. That's when you just whip out you artistic license! Now the oak doesn't have to compete with the background trees.
I think there must be a painting hiding in every square foot of the Little Red Schoolhouse grounds, it is an endless source of inspiration for an artist, poet, writer, and hiker!

"Little Red Schoolhouse Winter Tree" watercolor painting is available on Christine Kane Art.

P.S. Don't forget to vote tomorrow!

Little Red Schoolhouse Ain't Red No Mo'

2008-02-03T18:37:00.000-06:00

My beloved, the Little Red Schoolhouse of Willow Springs, IL is under construction!
I almost gathered a tear. I've never seen her like this before. So stark and naked. "It's for your own good," I said, "you'll be stronger and better than ever."

No trails to the north open during construction, I bet the wildlife is a little bit giddy about this. Oh well, we'll just walk on the south trail, that's all!

Just how beautiful is this?
Too beautiful, I say.
Lots and lots of snow makes for an awesome landscape scenery. This is part of the south parking lot trail of the Little Red Schoolhouse. At this spot there is a pond to your right and a fenced in field to your left. It is neat to see all the wildlife trails and no human trails behind the fence.

Here is a close up of the fence which reveals just how much snow we've received within the last few days. Baby oak saplings are half buried in the background. The weight of the snow is just dropping off the fence. It is very, very quiet now...I hear a chickadee say, "chick-a-dee-dee-dee, chick-a-dee-dee-dee."
I smile.
On the snow of the post, I take my finger and draw a smiley face for the chickadee to view while flying above.
:)

Groundhog: Where's My Shadow?

2008-02-02T21:12:00.000-06:00

Today, Cloudy (what an optimistic name!) the Brookfield Zoo's groundhog, poked his head out and said, "Hey, where's my shadow?"
That means, because Cloudy didn't see his shadow...well...because it was cloudy, winter will soon end.

But here is my question: What is winter?

Major Winter Storm

2008-02-02T10:20:00.001-06:00

Well, here in Chicago we continue to ride the weather pattern roller coaster that has been the main attraction for several weeks. Tickets are free. Nobody can chicken out and exit the line, you're stuck!
This week alone we experienced a 50ºF drop in the period of three hours and then a continuous snow fall for over 24 hours dumping 6" in my part of town.
Whew!!!
Remember just a few months ago I was crabbing that we never get any good snow storms in the winter anymore?
Surprise!

I still love it, even though I shoveled for an hour and was super late to work, slipping and sliding all the way there. Makes for great pictures though! This picture shows snow on every limb and every twig. Just lovely!

Chicago Weather Center Blog

2008-01-30T21:05:00.001-06:00

If you love weather, even if you don't live in Chicago, you must check out, WGN Channel 9 Weather Center Blog.
I just happen to stumble upon this gem which is written by the bestest meteorologist, Tom Skilling. He's so knowledgeable and he explains EVERYTHING! There's a section where you can ask Tom weather questions and even a photo gallery (my fav) where local people take pictures of storms, skies, sunsets. etc.
Soooo Cool!

Because We Love Snow

2008-01-30T19:57:00.000-06:00

Oh lets enjoy a few more pictures from the Bullfrog Lake area, part of the Palos Trail System!
This picture was at the beginning of my trail and the snow reminded me of sand from the Indiana Dunes, with weeds growing here and there. That's exactly how it looks, except I visit the Dunes when it is much, much warmer!

Do you see that water pump? I don't know why it is there. I wonder if during the warmer months it even works? I saw several of these on my hike. A close up of the pump with trees in the background might make for a nice painting though.

This picture tells a story. Can you tell?
If you follow the shadows, you can see evidence of a steep slope. The left side of the slope is in complete shadow, away from the sun. The right side has trunk shadows riding uphill. I love how shadows follow the contour of the land. It is very clear against the snow. I am facing north in this scene, so you know it must be close to evening because the sun sets in the west and the shadows are casting towards the east. There is one tree that still has snow along its side. That proves that the snow storm was blowing from the south to the north...evidence all around us!
I love how much information you can get from a simple picture.

Bullfrog Lake Frozen

2008-01-28T19:14:00.001-06:00

Feeling time slip and the snow melting as we speak, I decided to head out to Bullfrog Lake, just to enjoy winter a few more hours before the impending warm up.
As I walked the trail by the lake I came upon this stunning scene, which will soon be made into a painting. Sparkles shimmered in the sunlit snow and my eyes followed the tracks into the distance, suddenly three crows began to "caw" at this very spot and followed me to the lake which was at the end of my trail.
It was an exciting moment.

Here we see the beautiful Bullfrog Lake in its frozen state, part of the Palos Trail System, located in Willow Springs, IL. In the middle of the lake are serious ice fishermen with tent gear and all, and across the lake we see many sledders enjoying the day. On this photo you can see animal tracks near the cattails and skier tracks on the lake.

And here we have a giant Chicago Nature Lady print, brushing back the snow, stepping on the ice of the lake and later having to touch it with her hand!
"Strange human," said the crows, "Strange human!"

Snow Shadows

2008-01-27T09:31:00.000-06:00

Crazy weather is about to come upon us once again. After experiencing freezing temperatures this week, by Monday we are due to hit 50ºF with rain, same for Tuesday, but then Wednesday is going to greets us with a cold blast and highs of only 19ºF!!!

This weekend I am going to appreciate the snow before it is gone in a hurry. I woke up this morning to find beautiful patterns of sun and shadow playing on the snow in my garden. Simple things like this always get me. I guess it really doesn't take much to amuse me.

Let's Experience This Picture:
"But it's just a picture of snow?"
Oh no, there's a lot going on right now.....

The smell outside as I take this photo is what snow smells like, clean, cool, and wet. There is a slight breeze hitting my face, not hash but gentle. I hear a lot of bird activity as they are flying overhead. Do you see the scalloped edge on the left side? That is from my fence. Too bad the sparkles shimmering in the snow did not take on the camera, just believe it is there! I also see pinks, purples, and various shades of blues but they are all very still, not moving as you would see in the spring or summer with leaves swaying in the wind...winter shadows are very quiet and still. I love them.

Hope you enjoyed experiencing the snow before it's gone!

Still Holding On

2008-01-26T11:43:00.000-06:00

Who loves nature?
We do! We do!

This is a picture I took at Tinley Creek Woods when it was much warmer and the snow had melted. What did I love about this scene? Many things:

First, this picture was taken this January, notice all the trees in the background have lost their leaves. This little guy held on to his. I stood there and thought about all the wind storms that came through this winter and I'm pretty impressed with the tree's strength, especially because he's standing in an open field all alone. Perhaps it is because of his youth that he is able to hang on or maybe the background forest is his shield, a row of soldiers. Maybe the forest is looking out for this little guy? The tree probably is still holding on to it's leaves because that's just the nature of an oak tree (boring), but it's much more fun to think of all other possibilities. I'm sure there's a life lesson in here somewhere.

Secondly, the detail in the trunk made me say, "Ooooo." I love it's "arms" reaching out near the bottom, searching for all possibilities in life.

Thirdly, warm colors in the dead of winter rock! My interpretation exaggerates this feature...I'm just whipping out my artistic license here.

Here is my translation of what was actually there. My main goal was to keep this little guy the focal point and not get him lost with a busy background, notice the blue forest (represents distance) and is shorter that actual photo.
I had a super difficult time attempting to draw any trees in the background, it was just shades of blue. I really thought I was going to ruin it by painting trees. Gary, who is a wonderful teacher, challenged me and said, "Do you always want to be stuck at this level?"
WOW, no I don't...growth is good!
Gary taught me to turn the painting upside down and get loose with the background. Dandy! It worked!

This pastel took a total of 5 hours to complete over a period of 2 days. It will be made available in a few days at www.christinekaneart.com

Hope you enjoyed!

Pastel Step by Step

2008-01-22T21:00:00.000-06:00

Well, because this weekend was so cold it just happened to be perfect for hibernation and artwork. Every weekend is perfect for artwork, but when the temperature dips below zero, instead of looking for inspiration outside, you start digging out pictures from warmer memories.

I thought I would show you the materials and a little bit of the process of creating a pastel painting. Oooo it's so much fun! Here is my setup. The tan paper to the left is Ersta pastel paper, made in Germany, bought on line. Ersta is just like sand paper, it holds the soft pastel pigment as you grind it into the surface.
My subject is to the right, a sunset picture I took last November. All around I'm surrounded with beautiful, beautiful pastels....

Oh such lovely colors! You can never have too many colors, however they're not exactly cheap, so you must cherish them to the last speck of crumb! These are Rembrandt landscape soft pastels, notice how much I like the blues they're almost gone! How can a Chicago artist not like the blues...hahahahaha

Here is the painting, which I've named, Sunset Fire, in progress. I usually start at the top and work my way down. Meanwhile, I start with underneath layers of color and work my way to the top. It's so much fun and I believe anyone with training can do this!
Speaking of training, once a week I will be working under the direction of artist Gary Wick, who creates amazing art. He's just a neat, creative artist whom I admire a lot and a swell guy! Lets hope he can transform me into something!

Just working my way down...adding the sun's highlights to selected clouds. Yellow is the complementary color to purple and orange is the complement to blue, that's why these colors look so good next to each other. Nature has it all figured out!

TaDa.... the finished painting. Foreground trees silhouette in a mixture of dark blue and dark purple...never black...too harsh. The cloud "holes" were softened lightly with my finger and the highlights in the horizon are left strong. The mood has been translated into paper.

This painting, Sunset Fire, is now available on Christine Kane Art on the autumn pastel page because this picture was taken last autumn.

It is so neat to see my nature friends become artists themselves. We all must have that desire to take what we love and in our own "language" show our version of a moment in time.
Click on links to view art.
Tom with Ohio Nature has attempted his first painting after many years and he did a super job, I love it!
Tom at Monarch's Nature, takes breathtaking photos which is artwork in itself. It's too hard to pick a favorite, but I love his frost photos.
Jennifer at A Passion for Nature has been adding beautiful text to her photos, creating a wonderful piece of art.
Drowsey at DrowseyMonkey has pick up her artistic skills after many years also, such great talent cannot be left unused!

I'm happy to see talent not waisted! I encourage everyone who has had a love for art in their younger days to polish off the brushes and develop your skills where you left off. Don't worry, It's not as hard as you think!

Deep Freeze

2008-01-19T13:06:00.001-06:00

Here in Chicago we are under a bit of a freezing spell. This morning at 9am, the temp was -2 degrees and right now it's a whole 3 degrees! Tomorrow's forecast is going to be much the same. Needless to say, I'm staying inside! That means unless nature comes knocking at my window, there won't be many photos this week.

Remember my inexpensive birdbath heater? Look at what a great job it's doing in -2 degree weather, that's when I took this picture. You can't tell by the photo but, the water near the heater is actually steaming! Even the stupid squirrels need water right now.

And here we have Stella having a breakfast treat. She is eating "Nutty Delight" made by C&S, sold at Sid's nursery and other places. I think this is the woodpecker's favorite. I notice a lot more activity with this flavor than others, or maybe I'm just coookie.
Speaking of Stella, I know we have more than one "Stella". There is a Stella with clearly defined black and white stripes on her head, as in photo, and there is a Stella with a different, more messy or undefined black and white shapes on her head. Maybe one day I'll get a clear shot of both to compare.

Notice my suet cage is different, the last one was green and had an opening in the bottom. Those nasty squirrels figures out how to open the bottom and remove the suet cake! They even chewed through heavy plastic cable ties that I tried to fasten as a lock.
HA.
No match for evil squirrel.
This cage has a side opening which I'm hoping is a little more difficult to open...we'll see!

Mystery Solved

2008-01-16T18:41:00.000-06:00

This is a stick that I found on the ground about a week ago. I just think it's cool. The dark bark is due to the stick being saturated by rain, I like how the bright white and tan colors of the growth contrast the darks on the stick.

That's some set of teeth you got there Mr. Stick! Close up pictures always reveal something amazing.

Do you remember this picture a few posts ago?

I was fascinated by the color of these mushrooms, wondering if the green was the mushroom taking on the color of the moss or if they were just green mushrooms. Well, Cestoady brought up an intelligent fact that perhaps it's algae growing on the mushrooms and not any of the above reason I had wondered. Very interesting!

I happened to ask David Fischer with www.americanmushrooms.com who co-wrote, Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America and Mushrooms of Northeastern North America, and asked him about my "very smart person's" (Cestoady) comment.

Here is David's Responce:

"The mushrooms appear to be a Trametes or, less likely, a Stereum (I can't tell without seeing a very tight close-up of the undersurface). Your very smart person is correct: the green is caused by algae that are using the mushroom as a substrate."

Neat!

Great job Cestoady for your correct response and thank you to David Fisher who took the time to review my question!
Mystery solved.

My Bartel Grasslands Field Trip

2008-01-14T20:22:00.000-06:00

This last weekend I met up with a whole bunch of passionate birders to seek out the short eared owl and the Norther Harrier at the Bartel Grasslands with birdie leader, Dick Riner, which was sponsored by the Chicago Ornithological Society.

OH BOY! Here we go, we are walking to the Bartel Grasslands located in Tinley Park, IL. Look at these professionals with their really cool equipment! I had binoculars, a baby camera, and hand warmers...that was the extent of my equipment!

Here is out destination.... right behind these pines lay a mound where birders can set up their scopes and have a magnificent view of the grasslands.

The goal of this trip was to witness short eared owls and or northern harriers. This trip was scheduled for late afternoon which made it perfect for our subjects to put on a show. Unfortunately, the owls never showed, but boy did the harriers make and entrance! Northern harriers are hawks that fly low to the ground in search for prey such as mice, small birds, rabbits, etc.

It was about 30 degrees with a strong biting wind. Such a strong wind that the harriers were able to hover and glide in the same spot for several seconds, real low to the ground. It was really amazing. I witnessed males and females which both dove towards the ground, but I failed to see them rise with prey in their mouths.

This grassland has several metal posts which are strewn about. The owls, I was informed, like to perch on the posts. Not today however, but a female harrier did perch on one for about 5 minutes straight! It was exciting to watch her scope the ground in anticipation for an unsuspected rodent.

As evening quickly approached, we began to retreat to our cars. This scene made me stop and I don't know why. Sometimes I see a scene and think...oh, this would make a good painting, but not this time, it was more like.... maybe there's a story behind here, or maybe it was just the misty sky partnering with some massive oaks (notice the scale of the car, bottom right).

At the end of the evening it began to flurry. It has been a successful night of mostly female and some male northern harriers which gracefully skimmed the grasslands while ignoring us gawkers. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a picture of any harriers because they were too far for my camera to grasp. I guess I'll just have to paint a picture of it!

I hope you have enjoyed this field trip to Bartel Grasslands.

Mr. Cardinal in Pastel

2008-01-13T10:38:00.000-06:00

Here is Mr. Cardinal painted in pastel as a vignette. A vignette is a design that has no definite edges, to put it simply. I love them because the subject is never in question and the viewer has the ability to finish off the background in his or her mind.
You may recognize Mr. Cardinal's pose from a watercolor I did earlier. I used the same picture to create this pastel. Pastel paper is so much fun to work with because it feels and looks like sandpaper. It holds the soft pastel's pure pigment and there is such satisfaction scraping the pigment into the paper....oooooo, it's so much fun! Everyone should try it.

In a few days this original pastel will me made available on Christine Kane Art
Hope you enjoyed!

Seven Random Things

2008-01-13T10:01:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago, I was tagged by Nina from Nature Remains, who writes a beautiful nature blog btw and today I found enough time to sit down and play.

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Random Chris Things:
1. I write much much better than I speak in real life. I never have a timely or clever comeback, it usually takes me an hour before I say, "Oh, I should have said..."
2. Due to my grandpa Rich, I am the nature loving freak that I am. Every summer my grandparents took the grandkids camping since we could remember. It has been the best experience I could ever have. Thank you grandpa.
3. I tried to give up fast food and be healthy, it lasted a good 30 days! Damn Taco Bell gets me every time. I'm trying again.
4. I rarely watch TV.
5. Planes freak me out (in a bad way). If God meant for us to fly He would have given us wings...right?
6. I can't stop drawing and painting, I love it! When I have a subject or get an idea to paint something, it HAS to come out! It consumes my weekends because I have a full time job that pays the bills :(
7. I was so painfully shy in grammar school, kids thought I was "snobby" because I didn't talk much. Wow that's far from the truth!

OK they may not be the most interesting but there it is!

I'm tagging:
The Girls at 3 Cat Blog
Tom at Ohio Nature
April at Nature at My Doorstep
Joan at Joan's Nature Journal
Moe at Iowa Voice
I think every one else has already done the random tag thing, so that's it for now.

Morning Light

2008-01-10T19:08:00.001-06:00

Beyond the pine and through the maples, a current of vapor sways...
Just as the morning light begins to touch it's peaks...
"Renew," says our Creator...
"and seek your strength through Me."

This was the beautiful sky that greeted me this morning as I was about to go to work. Work will have to wait...this is much too important to miss! No sooner than seconds did this picture's color dramatically change, but this frame was the very best. What a great way to start the day.

Mysterious Sky

2008-01-08T19:06:00.001-06:00

This is what the sky looked like before all the rain. Several layers of clouds quickly whipping by, the lowest layer being the fastest. Something is coming.

How spooky and wonderful all in the same frame.
What wasn't wonderful however, was the area of the Illinois and Wisconsin border which was hit by a tornado the next day that had traveled 13 miles on it's January trek. A tornado in January in Illinois is unheard of.

The further south of the city you are, the more rain you received. Many low areas are still flooded, but thankfully I didn't need a boat and the streets were pretty much clear with only the ditches flooded in my area.

Record breaking temperatures are passing and a cool front is on the way with, get this......snow flurries tonight!?! Tornado yesterday, snow today?
Would this imply Global Warming or the Apocalypse?
Just kidding...

The Big Thaw

2008-01-06T19:02:00.000-06:00

From zero degrees a few days ago to....

To a record high today of 61 degrees officially recorded. 61 degrees!!! Is this winter? Wait, is this spring? What season am I in?

Do you see all of the pools of water on the ground in this picture? That's the 4 inches of snow we had last week. All gone. The problem is, tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday we are under a flood watch due to such high temperatures, we are going to be pummeled by heavy downpours and even thunderstorms with a continue record high temps!!!

Isn't this January? The beginning of it?

Chicagoans: Prepare your boats!

OH JUST TERRIFIC! Grrrrrrr

2008-01-06T10:29:00.001-06:00

Look what happened. Just great. This shoe is made by The North Face. It is one of those $90 waterproof, freeze proof, but not goof proof hiking boots. The metal post popped right out as I was lacing them up.
I don't throw $90 around very easily. It takes a lot to squeeze that much out of me...but I learned my lesson with The North Face this time!
Do you see how nice that shoe looks? Only one year old and almost in pristine condition.

Should this be a Nature Product Review? A BAD Nature Product Review? Why yes it should.

As usual I couldn't save a receipt to save my life, so I'll be taking this somewhere to get fixed. Grrrr.
Buyer beware with The North Face.

Mossy Mushroom

2008-01-02T21:07:00.000-06:00

This is a picture I took of a decomposing log when I went hiking at Country Lane Woods last week. The green caught my eye right away. I didn't realize that despite the cool temps, moss can still thrive. I think these are a type of polypore mushrooms (growing off of wood) I don't know exactly which kind but I've seen them before. I've seen them many times before but they were brown. These mushrooms have green in them. Does it have to do with the moss? Are they taking on the color of the moss? Very strange. This is a question for supermushroom-man or woman! Unfortunately that's not me.

Very interesting web site on mushrooms: David Fischer's American Mushrooms

Very interesting posts on mushrooms: Winterwoman's A Passion for Nature

Go shrooming around!

Bear Lake

2007-12-31T14:39:00.000-06:00

This is a Christmas present for my dear friend Sharon. Shhhh...it's a surprise. If she's reading this before Wednesday, well, she stumbled upon her own surprise!
This is a pastel painting I did today of her cottage on Bear Lake in Wisconsin. She loves this place and I don't blame her. What a peaceful setting. I was kinda missing autumn lately so I decided to give this picture a try.
Why this place looks so pretty that it could be used for a movie location! Maybe a nature movie!!!
I would like to spend some time at this cottage in 2008. Hahemm...Sharon...hint...hint!

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! A happy and healthy one.

I also want to leave you with a saying from Saint Therese of Lisieux, that really helped me out when I was feeling low. Use it for 2008.

"May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts you received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us."

Saint Therese of Lisieux

She rocks.
Happy New Year!

PS Prints for this painting will be made available sometime in January at Christine Kane Art.

Waterfall Glen in Winter Field Trip

2007-12-30T14:51:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I took a road trip to beautiful Waterfall Glen, located in Darien, IL., part of the DuPage County Forest Preserves. This mega forest preserve and hiking Disneyland is the land all around Argonne National Laboratory, made available by the federal government to DuPage County in 1973. The land is a total of 2,488 acres and contains a main hiking/biking trail of 9.5 miles!!! Argonne National Laboratory is a nuclear energy research center that claims, "Argonne is not and never has been a weapons laboratory." Even so I admit, sometimes a little creepy, I think there's radiation all around...but I know there's not. I hope. If I start to glow, somebody give me a heads up!

Here is the beginning of our trail by one of the parking areas. Doesn't it remind you of Morton Arboretum's Spruce plot? It does for me.
Today is a cool 30 degrees with a bit of a wind, completely cloudy with some flurries.
I do not know the total history of this area, whether these were planted by man or natural, probably the first. Right by these pines there is a small creek and it looks as if someone did some restoration because there were several large twig mounds all over the place.
Well, that made it bird heaven! I stayed here for about 20 minutes while being visited by several chickadees, sparrows with stripes on their heads, downy and hairy woodpeckers, also cardinals.

Here it is, 5 more minutes of walking and you arrive at the waterfall. It's beautiful even in the winter time! I love the sounds of the falls, even though these falls aren't very large they still are loud. See video below.

This is a man made waterfall created by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. It provided work for many unemployed men and we are still enjoying it today. Thanks guys!

Oooo, let's zoom in on some icicles hanging off the stones. Chilly Willy. Awesome!
Speaking of stones, this area was mined for it's rich dolomite limestone and used to build the Chicago Water Tower in the 1860's by builder, Edwin Walker. How's that for a history lesson!

What's by the water? Why it's bittersweet! Boy did these colors stick out, let me tell you! Everywhere you look it's white, gray, blue, and brown...then WHAM...bright red and orange! Nice contrast on a winter afternoon.

This is sawmill creek, you can't tell but it's a long, steep way down. I like this picture because you cannot see the sky. Because of that fact the horizon now becomes the edge of the stream. This picture will become a pastel painting one day.

One concerning note...a few feet from this picture there are two large pipes which empty out into the steam. I don't know why I didn't think to take a picture, but it raises a few questions....What comes out of those pipes and leaks into the steam? Hmmm...laboratory grounds......hmmm...don't drink the water!

Any who, here is a 3 minute video I took of the waterfall, panning left, then right, then an upclose of the falls.
Am I glowing yet? Just kidding!!!

Exploding Cattail

2007-12-28T10:25:00.000-06:00

Ooooh how I love an exploded cattail! But then again, I also love a non exploding cattail too.
This first picture is a close up of some tails I found at Country Lane Woods. It is a typical scene near any body of wetland around. This time of year you will find the seed head to have "exploded" (my term, not a smart scientific term), they start to do this in late fall and continue through winter. What a neat plant it is and with so many uses, it's very functional to humans and wildlife alike.

Here is where they live, near water. I love to watch them sway in the wind, it's very tranquil. Who uses them? Let's learn about it.

Let's Learn About Cattail:

Where does it grow? Marshes, swamps, ditches, stagnant water, ponds, lakes...clusters around any wetland, all over the Northern Hemisphere.
How tall can it be? Very tall, can be 10 feet tall!
Other names for it? Bulrush, punks, duck tails, candlewicks.
Wildlife that use it? Muskrats, beavers and geese eat it. Red-wing black birds, bitterns, coots, marsh wrens, and many others nest in it. Many birds also use the fluffy material as lining for their nests.
Humans use it? Yes, root stems are edible and early leaves, but I wouldn't touch it unless you know what your doing and I don't. Baskets can be weaved out of the leaves, the Indians also use to dry it out and make a flour.

Don't worry, there's a scientific name for the cattail which I won't make anyone know. Let's just enjoy the cattail for what it is!

Junco in the Pines

2007-12-28T10:18:00.000-06:00

Just a cute little picture of my junco friend. He's looking right at us. Don't you love his little black beady eyes? His white tummy shows off quite well against the dark green of the pine.
Oh Boy, it's snowing out right now, must go for a walk soon!

Christmas Birdies

2007-12-27T17:04:00.000-06:00

Well, I hope nobody is tired of looking at my birdies...because I sure do love them and can look at them everyday of the year!

The top low resolution photo shows Stella, the female downy woodpecker, and a male cardinal. I just love the bright red of the male cardinal especially in the winter. I don't know why the male cardinal doesn't molt into a drab wardrobe like so many other male birds do in the winter time? He makes for a really bright target! Maybe a smart naturalist knows the answer to that question.

Here is the beautiful Ms. Cardinal. I really like her pose. I think she must become a watercolor painting soon. Now the female cardinal is drab, but she's drab all year round. Drab but still beautiful!

Afternoon Walk

2007-12-26T16:41:00.000-06:00

Today I went back to Country Lane Woods to burn off some Christmas cookies. It was a perfect day for a hike, a mild temperature of 45 degrees and very little wind with a sunny sky.

To my surprise early on, I ran into a gentleman walking his horse. Now horses are not uncommon on this trail, but people are usually riding them. His horse was gently grazing on the side of the trail.

Meet Breezy. He is a 24 year old retiree. Too old to be ridden so his owner lovingly walks him everyday. I asked if I could pet him which the owner allowed, but was warned about the mud on Breezy's back from rolling around. Rolling around! That's what I'm going to do when I'm a retiree, too old to go to work but never too old to enjoy life rolling around!

This is Cranberry Slough. What's a slough? A slough is a muddy, marshy, swamplike region. There are many in this area. I had to walk just a little off the path to get a good picture. Cranberry Slough is surrounded by millions of oak trees. I kept walking around the oaks looking for owl droppings or a pellet. How neat it would have been to dissect a pellet. I will keep on wishing for one.

You can see the evening clouds have arrived. It is a peaceful picture of a peaceful afternoon. Much needed after the holiday stress. I know this is where I belong...far, far, far away from a mall with crowds of people. I belong with the trees.

Merry Christmas Have Fun with These Pictures!

2007-12-25T09:20:00.000-06:00

If you love space, stars, and the sky like I do, you must visit NASA's picture of the day site!

Holy Cow! When I found this site I must have spent hours looking at all the breathtaking photos. The NASA site has hundreds of archived pics taken from cameras, satellites, and telescopes. Some pictures are original, some are time lapsed, some look doctored...but who cares they're beautiful! Each picture comes with a description of what you're looking at which helped me out a lot.

Merry Christmas and enjoy!

Spaz's Hawk

2007-12-22T23:38:00.000-06:00

Look what Spaz got in her yard now! I'm jealous again.

So I'm sitting here with a slice of Baker's Square French Silk Pie, listening to Gregorian Chant (really quite soothing at 11:45pm) and reading through 2 bird books: Birds of Illinois, by Stan Tekiela and Birds of Chicago, by Chris C. Fisher and David B. Johnson, trying to determine whether Spaz's hawk is a Sharp-Shinned or a Cooper's Hawk.

Both books say they are quite similar, but Sharp-shinned is smaller with a squared off tail. I cannot really tell the scale of the bird and his tail is hiding. When frustrated, I just take another bite of pie. Darn those Baker's Square bakers.

I'm going to assume it's a Cooper's for two reasons. 1) It looks exactly like the picture in Birds of Chicago. 2) Birds of Illinois claims that the Sharp-Shinned is rarely seen in winter.

OK...push the pie away. Far away.

Spaz, thank you for yet another beautiful bird picture! Makes me want to move out to your neck of the woods. Keep up the great photography work. Nature loves your yard :)

Spaz's Titmouse

2007-12-19T21:32:00.000-06:00

Ooooh, I'm so jealous! My friend spaz, has a titmouse that visits her wreath peanut feeder. Isn't it beautiful?
I don't have no titmouse visit my at my house!

Spaz bought this wire wreath peanut feeder at Wild Birds Unlimited. What a cute feeder and really not expensive at $11.00, although their 5lb peanuts @ $14.00 is a little high! Folks, look for unsalted peanuts in the shell for much less at the grocery store! Make sure it's unsalted for our feathered friends, we don't need to give them high blood pressure!

Since the female and the male titmouse looks the same, we can't tell if this is a he or she, but fortunately the titmouse is an all year bird in the Illinois area, that means if Spaz keeps her wreath full, she can expect this bird in all months. I can't because the titmouse doesn't visit my house!

She did inform me that a "heifer" took the wreath down recently. That's probably a squirrel that jumped on the wreath to eat the nuts and his weight broke the hook that connected the wreath to the porch roof.
Stupid heifer squirrel!
I have terrible squirrel problems, so making peanuts available is not a great idea at my house, but don't you give up Spaz..... sprinkle your nuts with cayenne pepper or something...they mustn't win...we will out smart them yet!

Dear Titmouse:
I love you, little birdie, even if I can't provide the best food for you. Please continue to visit my friend, Spaz. She's trying to provide the best for you. If you shall see a "heifer" on your wreath, nip him in the behind and teach him a lesson. If you find the courage and strength come over to my house, bring a legion of your buddies and get all of my squirrels too! That way I can provide the best for you too!
Love,
Chicago Nature Lady

PS: Thank you Spaz for your beautiful pictures!

Nature Product Review - Birdbath Heater

2007-12-17T18:49:00.001-06:00

My Dilemma: Frozen water in my birdbath...no oasis for the birdies here!

Every year I leave my concrete birdbath out and every winter the water freezes over. This isn't so good because birds need water in winter. They need water that is not in the form of snow and not frozen for two good reasons: 1) To drink. 2) For good feather maintenance. When these needs are met, your birdies are happy and healthy and they might just spread the word.

Here is the problem.
I guess I'm just too lazy to carry this million ton birdbath into the garage, you may even be able to see some hair-line cracks (it still holds water), so I just leave it out. Then every winter when the water freezes over, I feel terribly guilty, especially when a little feathered friend lands on the ice looks down, maybe pecks a little, then flies away.
OK...I'm tired of disappointing them, so this year I've invested in a birdbath de-icer.

This is not jiffy pop.
This is the heater, it is by Farm Innovators, Bird Bath De-Icer Model B-9. Sold by Noble Sales Co, through Amazon. I chose this heater because I am frugal, I saw "Econo" in the title on Amazon and thought, let's start with the most inexpensive ($14.36) and work from there. It is a 44 watt heater. Lets see what happened....

It does just what it's supposed to!
After receiving the heater in just a few days I plugged it in at night on a solid two inches of ice. I anchored it down with a heavy rock, by morning it melted about 50% of the ice and here's the best part and I'm not lying.....in the morning a sparrow landed to take a drink...in less than 12 hours of plugging it in!!!
Woooo Hooo!

This birdbath de-icer worked for me. Why spend all that money on something more expensive? This is another great inexpensive Christmas gift for the nature lover in your life or maybe even for yourself! I just hope it lasts a good long time. Don't worry, I'll keep ya posted!

Aminal Tracks

2007-12-15T10:12:00.001-06:00

This is one of my all time favorite field guides and so much fun to use in winter! Animal Tracks of Illinois by Tamara Eder, published by Lone Pine Publishers, (click on the link to find your state's animal tracks) is very easy to use with tons of information.
What I like most about it is that it's fast to find what you need. I don't have to do a lot of reading to figure out what animal made what track. On the left page, there are three columns: 1) fore and hind print 2) walking prints 3) galloping prints. Way cool. On the right page is a drawing of the animal and a brief story.

Well, this morning I woke up to a light dusting of snow. My black driveway is PERFECT for capturing prints! How happy I was when I woke up and looked out my window to see all of those lovely animal patterns!!! Let's run outside to take pictures! Here are the results:

This picture shows tracks from a bird. Which kind? I do not know because the book only shows two types. Do you see the lines in the picture? That is the back "toe" dragging as the bird hops. Isn't that neat!

I am comfortable to guess gray squirrel for these prints. Notice my dumb butt mis-spelled gray on the picture! Oh well, these prints are one inch in length. The book provides a ruler measurements on the back cover for easy ID. What I love about tracks in the snow is that you can tell which direction the animal was going and relatively how fast or slow. Evidence.

These are just the cutest. My kitty contributing to animal evidence. I made her walk on the driveway (which she loves) in the name of nature research. They look much different than the squirrel's print.

The Animal Tracks series books are under $10. What a neat Christmas idea for your nature enthusiast, you can even fit it in a stocking. Kids just love exploring for these tracks and it's a wonderful activity to do together. Go play in the snow and have fun!

Negative Painting

2007-12-13T19:55:00.000-06:00

In this case "negative" is not a bad word!

These are negative ink wash paintings of oak leaves that I collected while on a hike.
What is negative painting? Negative painting is painting outside of the subject. Sort of like painting the "air" around the leaf.
What is ink wash? Ink wash is in this case is India ink and water applied with a bamboo brush. I really like the contrast and this type of painting technique seems to exaggerate the shape of the leaf. Cool effect.

It is interesting to note the different shapes. Oak leaves especially reminds me of people. Some are tall and skinny (like the bottom leaf and my dad), some top heavy (like the top leaf), and some bottom heavy. They're all wonderfully made each with their own characteristics. I love them all. I wouldn't want them to look the same. No way.

Some other good negatives? Negative bills, negative aches and pains, negative worries, negative debt, a negative criminal record, a negative biopsy....

Here's wishing you good negatives this Holiday Season!

Henry & Stella Update

2007-12-11T19:53:00.000-06:00

Henry Hooked for Suet

Handsome Henry's Backside

Stella Gets a Turn

Look...I'm like a proud mom showing photos!
I took these pictures of my feathered children Sunday morning. They're looking healthy and doing great!

It was much fun to watch them "play" at the feeder. Henry would land on top of that shepard's hook and Stella would almost run him over and land on the hook herself, then Henry would do the same to her. Awww.... maybe they're flirting. How cute. Now some bird expert is thinking right now, "No stupid, they're being territorial!"
Well, moms have a way with never seeing the bad, so I think they're playing :)

Henry and Stella are enjoying berry suet from Wal-Mart. They also love peanut (their fav) and apple. Some people might be asking, "What's suet?"
Suet is animal fat mixed with seeds, nuts, or fruit. It is mixed in the form of a square and you place it in a suet cage. It smells and is gross to touch but it is high energy food, which they need. That is very important especially during the winter when it's a little bit harder for them to find insects.
For the summer, you can also buy year round suet which doesn't melt in warm weather.
You can find a whole slew of flavors now or you can make your own recipe.

Pretty cheap too:
Cage $2.99
Suet $1.50
Hook $10.00

Place one about 6 feet from your window and enjoy a variety of birds while helping them to survive this winter!

Nuthatch Somewhere

2007-12-09T12:53:00.000-06:00

Thank you to Jennifer ( A Passion for Nature) aka Winterwomen, who gave me some neat information on the red-breasted nuthatch...

She states," Red-breasted nuthatches are one of the irruptive species. When their normal wintering grounds are scarce on food, they make "irruptions" into other wintering grounds. That's why we don't see them every year..."

Who knew, not me!

She also gave a link to a cool birding blog with a post on this subject:
Here's the Stokes blog: http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/red-breasted-nuthatch-irruptive-species.html

Don't forget to visit Winterwoman's blog as well....awesome text and breathtaking photos!

PS I still haven't seen my red-breasted nuthatch, I did change my bird feed to sunflower, I can't put peanuts outside 'cuz my neighbor feeds the squirrels peanuts and they have formed an army....ready to attack me...I just know it!

Winter Bird

2007-12-08T10:21:00.000-06:00

There are two birdies in this picture. Can you spot them? One is a winter bird and one is an all year bird. Which one do you think is the winter bird?
You're right! The one on the upper right is the dark eyed junco. He visits us only in the winter time. I really love this winter bird. They arrived in our area about a month ago, migrating from Canada. I've had a real hard time getting them to strike a pose until today....

Got you little stinker! Juncos like to feed off of the ground. That's what this guy is doing right here. While it's true they prefer the ground to feed, I did see some on my finch feeder in the backyard this morning. They're not the most graceful on the feeder, flappin' their wings a hundred times!

Let's Learn about the Dark Eyed Junco:

Migrates to Chicago in the winter only.
Small bird 5.5".
Male has black bodies with white tummies and bill.
Female lighter in color.
Outer tail is white, when in flight looks live a "V".
Likes to feed from the ground, seeds and insects.
They scratch with their feet to uncover food.
Seen in groups.
Males like to migrate further south than females, they're brave.

Enjoy them before warmer weather send them back North!

Nuthatch Nowhere!

2007-12-07T18:34:00.000-06:00

Do you remember a couple of months ago when I said I spotted a red-breasted nuthatch at my feeder?
Click here for the post.

Unfortunately, that's the only time I've ever seen him.

I've thought since then, "Am I doing something wrong?", "Was it just a fluke?", "What can I do to get him back?"

And don't worry Henry...I'm not cheating on you, I have much bird love to go around!

Just then, I received an email from George LeClaire with the Chicago Daily Herald. He wrote a great article on how to have the red-breasted nuthatch eat right from your own hand!!! With amazing pictures!!! PROOF!
The article gives excellent tips on which type of food to use and what time of day to try.
Click here to read the article.

Not only can you read the article but you can view several photos George took on the red-breasted nuthatch in action. They're soooooo beautiful!
Click here for the photo gallery.

Well naturally this got me all excited over the nuthatch all over again! Even if I haven't seen him in a long time. Thanks to George LeClaire's article, I now know what to do to win my red-breasted nuthatch's heart back! And oh boy am I going to try! I will definitely keep everyone posted on the progress.

Thank you to George LeClaire with the Chicago Daily Herald for contacting me with a treasure of information! If anyone in the area tries his tips, make sure you contact him with your results. You can find an email through the links.

If you're in a happy bird mood, George also provided a couple of video links.
Video #1 shows how to attract different kinds of wild birds. Very beautiful pictures and neat sound effects.
Click here for video #1.

Video #2 shows great footage of the ruby-throated hummingbird at the Chicago Botanical Garden and still pictures from George's wife's garden! Again, great pics and sound.
Click here for video #2.

Thanks again George! I hope everyone enjoys.

After the Storm

2007-12-05T20:45:00.000-06:00

Here is the beautiful evidence of a last night's magical winter storm. ohhhh.....ahhhh. This photo was taken at 8:30am, by 4:00pm all of the snow on this shrub melted. Why does it have to go away so soon?
I was happy to wake up to a winter wonderland. Don't you love it when you go to sleep and wake up to a different world? One of the things about the morning after a snow storm is how the snow lands on every branch and every twig. Just amazing! Enjoy it in the morning because by noon it's probably half melted.

And that's exactly what I tried to do. This picture was taken at 45mph with the "sports" setting set on my camera so it wouldn't be a blur. Don't worry, I'm facing the road watching traffic, but blindly taking pictures with my camera. If you take about ten of them, one is surely to be a gem without being crooked. Do not try this at home if you're a 10 and 2 driver!

This is an inverted image of the one before. I love it. Winter is just the perfect time to make one of these. I suggest everyone experiment with invertedness. Photoshop makes it easy, after you open your image go to image> adjust> invert. Piece of cake. If you don't have photoshop, I'm sure any Walgreen's can do it for you.
Have fun!

Calm Before the Storm

2007-12-04T22:05:00.001-06:00

This is a picture I took today at about 3:30pm. I was in the middle of nowhere in Frankfort, IL. This picture represents the calm before the snow storm. Oh how I love snow storms!
All night tonight and during the day tomorrow, we are to expect snow showers in the amounts of 3-6 inches. Now to my Northern friends that may seem like a dusting, but us Chicagoans have been snow deprived for many, many winters. Sure last year we had a few storms, but they're becoming few and far between. I remember as a child HUGE amounts of snow. I played in it all the time. My Dad use to bring home thick poster board for me to use as a sled and I would make my own hills in the front yard....aaahhhhhh....being a kid in the snow. What am I talking about, being a big person in the snow is fun too, you just get hurt more often!

www.weather.com radar at 10:15pm

As we speak it is snowing right now. I look outside the window and I see a white blanket over everything. The white of the snow seems to bring peace and cleans everything it touches. Tomorrow's pictures should be wonderful.

Maple Lake East

2007-12-01T16:16:00.001-06:00

Have you ever watched the movie, The Lake House? With dreamy Keanu Reeves (aaahhhhh)....oh yeah and Sandra Bullock? Well, I'm going to take you to the very site where Hollywood came to town to shoot the movie. Hollywood received permission to construct a temporary house on Maple Lake for filming. I once saw the pier and foundation for the house after it was said and done, but all has been taken down. There is another pier now but it is not the same. Here is a link to the movie's site where you can watch a clip of the movie and actually see what I'm talkin' bout. Click here.

OK. Maple Lake East is region 6 of the Cook County Forest Preserve System. At the end of the parking lot you will find this short trail that will lead you to the lake. Can you see it in the distance? Oh how beautiful the snow looks on the forest floor, FINALLY we got some snow! Enjoy it while you can for tomorrow will be 46 degrees :(

Here is Maple Lake. Notice the tree all the way to the right of this picture? When you watch the movie clip, near the end of the clip you can see Keanu sit under this very tree. Oh how I wish I were a bird sitting in that very tree looking down on Mr. Hotty Reeves.

This is a picture I took while standing at the end of the pier. Barren but beautiful. Sort of romantic in a way, even without Keanu.

This is a really neat shot of oak leaves trapped under a thin layer of snow on the lake. It just stopped me in my tracks. It is located at the shore or where the pier begins. My camera was getting all wet because the snow changed to ice/rain due to a slight temperature warm up. I decided to head home before the roads were completely iced over!

I hope you enjoyed viewing the site from The Lake House. I liked the movie, corny as it was with an impossible ending and all, but hey the actor was GREAT!

Beautiful Sky x2

2007-11-29T19:32:00.000-06:00

Do we live on a beautiful planet or what?!? I mean, Mars is all red.....Venus is sulfur acid yellow, aren't we lucky with our fascinating ever changing spectrum? That's what I thought when I saw this beautiful sunrise yesterday morning. I love how quietly the sun gently presents itself in the morning. Although I have to admit if it weren't for work, I would still be snug in a bug at this early hour. How lucky ducky am I, just today I witnessed this beautiful sunset......

Let's take a deep breath of tranquility.....ahhhhh. Do you see that right angle line in the sky? That was man made, it was from a plane, but everything else is God's handiwork for our happiness. Some might not believe that but I appreciate every little "gift" I can find.
If your interested in planet colors, you can click here. Ours is the best one by far!

Nature Sculpture

2007-11-25T21:23:00.000-06:00

This is a life size nature sculpture done by artist Patrick Dougherty. It is on exhibit at the Morton Arboretum until the end of this year and it is as much fun as it looks!
This life size twig house isn't just for kids but for us big people too. You can run in and out of the rooms and nobody will laugh at you. It is expected you regress in age the minute you step in and play as if you were 10 again.

Here is what the ceiling looks like inside, a big hole! I mean, natural skylight...where is my imagination! Perhaps it is a portal to the stars? Who knows maybe it is where the smoke escapes when cooking inside?

Here are the inside walls, there are many windows and places to hide. If only it were in my backyard!
It took Patrick Dougherty 3 weeks to build and used 3 semi-trailer loads of 15 different kinds of small trees and shrubs . WOW, that's a lot of work!

Autumn Tree with Nest

2007-11-23T10:47:00.000-06:00

I absolutely love when autumn trees look like this. I made my poor cousin take this picture from her phone before work one day.
I saw a million reasons right away, why I had to have this one on "film". I knew when driving by that I wanted to paint this tree someday because I fell in love with the way all it's leaves have dropped right below itself, I fell in love with the way the top is bare and the lower branches are clinging on to leaves yet, I feel in love with the yellow color and I also fell in love with the November sky behind it. This morning was a typical November morning with a little drizzle, with clouds meaner than they really are, and cool temperatures. My favorite.
Do you know what else attracted me to this tree? The fact that it looks like all the autumn trees Charles Schulz painted in his "Peanuts" cartoons! My all time favorite cartoon.

In my interpretation, the top of the tree has a nest exposed remember the post on exposed tree nests?
I had to give it one even though this tree really didn't have a nest. I pulled out my artistic license right here! This painting is also an action shot, see the leaf falling from the tree? LOL.

Any who, I'm please at how this watercolor turned out, not overworked at all, just the right amount of paint and light. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving and a lot of turkey leftovers!

For more info on how to purchase this painting click here.

Henry Immortalized in Watercolors

2007-11-21T21:44:00.001-06:00

Henry shall live on! Forever! He is now immortalized and embedded in watercolor paper. Because I love him so, I painted him balancing on the suet feeder cage from the post a week ago or so. I sprayed the background with a misting water bottle sprayer, so that it was a little "out of focus" and Henry was able to come in loud and clear.

I love the patch of red on his head. Do you know Emeril, the cooking guy chef? Do you know how he says, "BAM!" When he throws in some spice?" Well, that is exactly what I said when I painted the red male trait part of Henry's head!

Anyway, I'm pleased at how he turned out. If I wasn't, I would have said so!
Henry is available for sale by clicking here.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Turkey Day tomorrow! Enjoy it with your family and friends.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Spruce Plot

2007-11-20T18:41:00.000-06:00

This is one of my favorite spots at Morton Arboretum, the spruce plot. Can you see how dark it gets down that trail? It gets me excited every time! The spruces were planted so close together that the sky is a canopy of pine needles which blocks out the sun. If you can only smell what I could smell standing on this spot! It's wonderful.

Looking up you can see small pockets of blue sky. Right here is where I heard a woodpecker pounding away, but I couldn't find him. Which tree do you think he's on? There very well could be over a thousand pines, but I really couldn't count.

Poor little maple, you really don't have a chance. I respect your determination and your bright color in this dark section did give me a smile, but those guys aren't going to share any light with you. All the best of luck to you...

Doesn't this look like a post card? You can rest on this limestone bench after a nice long hike and lay your feet on three inches of pine needles. I just love how dark and quiet it is in here. When looking beyond the plot, everything looks so bright. It's like a different world in here, one that aids in quiet contemplation and deep reflection.

Happy Hiking!

My Morton Arboretum Field Trip

2007-11-18T17:03:00.000-06:00

Let's go on a field trip! Today we are going to Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. Morton Arboretum is a nature Disneyland for grown ups and kids, more for grown ups though. It is one of my all time favorite places. If you're in the area you must dedicate a whole day to enjoy all 1,700 acres of nature goodness. You will also have to shell out $9 each adult at the gates, unless you're a member. Believe me, it's worth it.

Brief History of Morton Arboretum:
Joy Morton founded the arboretum in 1922, it was his family's land.
You know the name Morton, from Morton Salt
Remember the little girl with the umbrella and salt pouring out??? That's the company.
Joy's father is J. Sterling Morton the founder of Arbor Day (1872)

Points of Interest:
West side
Four Seasons Garden, France Garden, Wild Garden, Sterling Pond, Lake Marmo, Schulenberg Prairie (100 acres!) and many trails.
East Side
Children's Garden, Maze Garden, Hedge Collection, Juniper Family Collection, and Northern Illinois Collection, and many trails.

Back to our regularly scheduled program:

This is the inside of the visitor's center. There are information displays, the Ginkgo Restaurant, Cafe, and Arboretum store.

Here is the Children's Garden. It is awesome even for adults. There is a large shallow pond you can walk in, many tree houses, gadgets and gizmos to play with, and little tunnels to crawl through.

Here is the maze. Those shrubs are about 6 feet tall, tall enough for me to get lost! In each section of maze, there are story fragments to read to form a nice nature story. I'm not going to give it away.

There are manicured paths......

And my favorite, natural paths. Look, it's a tree that still has leaves! I only found about 4 trees on the east side that were at their peak, most deciduous trees there have lost their leaves. This was on Main Trail Loop 1. It is about one mile long. The path is unbelievably soft, bouncy actually under my hiking boots. On this trail I saw one very large hawk, a large female hairy woodpecker, heard a cardinal, and saw many russet colored squirrels.

More pictures of Morton Arboretum this week.