The Bird Window

The "bird window", as we've dubbed it is a beautiful custom bow window which replaced a single double hung Cape window after 18 years of talking about how it would open up the room ;) We don't rush into anything :D but now we know what we missed. While I painted today on my 12x12 spider mums painting, I had a front row seat to the grackles and squirrels decimating the newly filled feeders of sunflower seeds. Only sporadically were there any songbirds, which are abundant here. The cardinal and his partner are always in evidence but the chickadees, yellow finches, purples finches, junkos, and tufted titmice and some other wren species were intermittent. Watching from the sidelines probably. It was a picture perfect summer day here on the New England shoreline. The breeze was straight off the water and the smell......delicious!

If I own it, It's for sale

Way out on Two Islands road is a steep drive that is lined with signs for antiques, tires, china and even a mobile home (they aren't mobile)! You have to love this person. This is the main sign!

Nizzy and Wendell in Parrsboro

Nizzy looks out over Cape Blomidon as Wendell decides to duck into his carrier for a nap.

Baby Robins

Is there anything as sweet as robin's egg blue? Maybe, just hatched robins.

My Back Yard

I've mentioned this before. Where I live is vacationland, USA. 25 miles or so South of Boston and right on the ocean. But, I drive to Maine, Nova Scotia etc., and get out of the car oohing and aahing over the scenery which would include little harbors with lobster boats in them and craggy rock lined coasts. You know what they say about the grass being greener? This is my backyard. DUH!

Naples Depot

This is the site of my train painting and an early version of it between wiping and scraping. I was right next to the tracks where the miniature Lionel comes around with the folks on it. Here they come. TOOOOOT TOOOOOOT :D See you all soon.

Clothes line Friend

Hanging up the laundry, I spotted this guy peeking out at me. Love it!

Wendell

April 5th was my Wendell's birthday. He's one in a million and brings joy to my heart and a smile to my face every day.

Florida Rain

Yesterday we had huge cumulus clouds and high humidity. Mid afternoon the thunder started and it poured Monsoon like rain for a couple of hours. It was pretty awesomely LOUD and we need the rain! Check out Just Painting to see my latest work.

Two Little Cuties

two budding artists Ryan

Colin

Just wanted to post some photos of my two sweet nephews who were here visiting me last week. Ryan is 4 and Colin is 2.

Swamp Buggy Races

Waiting for the Start

Ready, Set, GO

The green flag drops And They're OFF

Entering the Course

Best Seat in The House

Three times annually, the Florida Sports Park in Naples hosts the Swamp Buggy Races. It is a good ole redneck sport and it's a blast. The tradition goes back to old Florida where they built souped up "swamp buggies" to get around what was then jungle. Eventually the competitive spirit raised it's head and they were racing them through a water filled mud hole with dips and turns in it. Danged if I have a picture of her this time around, but each year they Crown some lovely young lady, "the Swamp Buggy Queen". She wears a tiara and a pretty gown and makes the announcements at the races. At the end of the two day event, the winner hoists her up and they jump into the drink which is freezing cold.

Seagull Swarm

Being in Naples, Florida for the winter is pretty nice. I took myself to the beach at 16th Street South and enjoyed a day in the sun reading and sketching when about 1000 seagulls flew in and landed on the beach. Photographing birds in flight is a crap shoot and everyone was running around taking pictures. At one point when the birds took flight I just held up the camera and shot it. Now I'm using it for my desktop background. Check out Vulture Cafe for some really great bird photos by Dawn.

Everglades Adventures

Here in Naples we are right on the Everglades. I shot these amazing photos down there a week or so back at Turner River which has an observation boardwalk. The longer you look into the woods the more able you are to notice the hidden wildlife.

Mary.J.Blige.(feat.U2).ONE

I think Mary J adds the right touch to U2's song One. Beautiful duet. Enjoy.

Bluegrass Jam

On Sundays there is a Bluegrass Jam at Flamingo Isle Flea Market in Bonita. The musicians rotate sets on a small stage beneath a salmon striped tent which probably holds 60 or so people. Adjacent is a bar that serves drinks and a limited menu of burgers, dogs, bbq & and nachos. Sunday fun in SW Florida and it's free. The impromptu jam invites all 'musicians at heart' to bring their instruments and join in any time or just hang backstage and soak up some knowledge from the pros, some of whom have recorded with well known names. I'm hoping to get some people paintings out of the shots I took. The music was great!