Life Lessons


"Figuring out our gifts in life is part of our journey to becoming enlightened human beings.” – Allison DuBois

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Mellow Yellow

Song - Yellow Bird by Chet Atkins


Can you see him?

He is right in the center of the shot, trying to avoid the Paparazzi....me!



A flock of Western Tanager's flew into our garden late in the afternoon.  I was taking my end-of-day walk around the garden and as I stopped near the creek, I saw them.  Beautiful!!!  

I ran back inside to get my camera and by the time I returned, they seemed to have disappeared.  Like in the top photo......but they were still there!


Male Western Tanager

Female

I pulled up a chair and patiently waited for them to show their sweet little faces.


And just as I was changing my camera settings, I saw this.  
But he was so fast that I couldn't quite capture him very well.
 




Do you see him?

Quick.....look right.





A beautiful hawk buzzed right by me and I quickly tried to refocus but he was too fast for me.  It just amazes me when I see real photographers who capture amazing bird photo's.  I have been trying for years and it really makes me appreciate their photo skills!













I was hoping to show you a photo of the Tanager's drinking water from the creek but decided to just take a photo of the branches that they like to hang out on that are hanging over the water.




When I came inside and opened up this shot on my computer...oh wait...
........do you see them?


The female is at the upper right in the sunshine




 and the male is at the lower left.  

I was surprised that they have such good camo!


Heading into the house, I decided to take a peek at mama Mourning Dove.
  


No babies sighted yet.

Daddy Mourning Dove arrives later each day.....6:11 this evening!
Mr. B better go have a talk with him!!!


"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang the best." 
-- Henry Van Dyke
 



Monday, May 18, 2015

Plein Air Painting in Napa

Song - Autumn Leaves by The Carlos Herrera Band

Woke up early on Saturday morning to head up to Napa to paint with some friends at Chimney Rock Winery.


Bay Area Studio Artists actually did paint outside!  Well, most of us did......


It was a lovely clear day and the winery was having a new release celebration.  They had a the Carlos Herrera Band playing in the courtyard and we painted while members ate, drank and enjoyed the music, art and sunshine.



This is the outside of the barrel room....





....and inside......



I took most of these photos before the crowds arrived.


Sharon Tama and Susan Bonebakker discussing their painting plan of action!


Sharon painted a lovely little courtyard painting of the trees and flowers while Sue painted the iron gate and flowers.







Marcy Wheeler hamming it up after selling her painting of the band.




Ellen Reintjes chose to do some creative iPad paintings!




Suzun Almquist had a beautiful little painting of the interior of the courtyard. Suzun, myself and Joanne all painted from behind the low courtyard wall looking in at the activity.




Here is Joanne Taeuffer packing up a little early as she had finished her "schmoozing" for the day!!!
Actually, Joanne is an incredible artist and lot's of fun to paint with but she just wasn't "feeling it" on Saturday.


And here I am getting my easel set up to paint.  I did paint the interior of the courtyard as well.  It was great to be surrounded by the vineyard, listen to the Cuban/Spanish music and paint.



 Some of the food servers found these little birds that had fallen from their nest.  They look about ready to fly!





"Beautiful day, good friends, great music and happy to be painting!" - Jeanette Crawford Baird




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