Same place, new time....

I visited the marsh again this weekend to restore my spirit a bit.  Of course, I was looking for the sandhill crane family, hoping to see how the babies have changed - and just as I was heading back I spotted them, out in the marsh, and caught a picture.

Late April

Late March

 Early March

I was also lucky enough to see a pair of glossy ibis, and a beautiful snowy egret.

I need to live near the beach or the marsh.....

EXCITEMENT!

I sold the triptych!  Happy, Happy!

Triptych

My last set of canvases for a bit - concentrating on making my dear friend's wedding invitations!

These use image transferred pattern advertisements from vintage magazines (color enhanced with watercolors), napkins, patterns, handmade paper, acrylic paints, and phrases from modern magazines.  I'm thrilled with them!

New canvases

Quickly, in a brief moment between work and sleep, I must post these pictures of two canvases I finished.  The bird images are from vintage (1930s) National Geographics given to me by my friend Christy.  I have a triptych in the works which has a vintage fashion theme.....using the image transfer technique, so it takes a bit of time.
 * I added these to the "Fly" challenge at http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/challenge-fly.html  Wonderful site to browse!

Dreamy~

Fiona and Twig have posted photos and a give-away of the most unique home in Texas - go see!

Creating a little at a time....

I have desperately needed to get back to my creative soul, so, a little at a time, I have begun working on small pieces.  I thought I'd share these with you.

Using an advertisement from a 1930s magazine I picked up an an estate sale, I collaged pieces of the written word, then used image transfer to add PT Barnum's picture.  I love how the circus tent sides turned out!

I had printed this image onto blue paper a while back.  After applying the collaged textured papers, I thought it would look lovely transferred atop - and I believe it does.  It makes me think of the balancing act this life seems to be.

Three day weekend - nature called!

What a lovely three-day weekend!  Time  spent with John, whose birthday was Sunday.  We finally made it to Corkscrew Swamp and Audubon Sanctuary, where we spent a few hours and shot hundreds of photos.  At the feeder where we saw painted bunting, a rustle from under the boardwalk turned out to be a small bobcat running from our disturbance!  John just caught a glimpse of his pretty pointed ears, but all I saw was the bent grass as he bounded through.  I have been trying to identify all of these birds, but have not yet found them all......So please inform me if you know the names of any!  And enjoy the trip!

Female painted bunting 

Male painted bunting

Blue gray gnatcatcher?

Help!  I can't remember this lovely bird's name!

A gorgeous female cardinal

Red shouldered hawk - one of many we saw.

I believe this is a young woodpecker, or a female, not sure which type.

Beautiful songbird!  Perhaps an eastern phoebe?  

The swamp

We had the privilege of watching a mother and two young racoons feeding.  I love how petite the baby's tail is!

???

Wait for me, Mom!
Click on the picture to see the foot in more detail - it's cool!

One of a pair of hawks.

I believe it's a Carolina wren.

So cool - gator right next to the boardwalk.

A yellow crowned night heron.

One of my favorite shots - This little blue heron was quite a distance away, barely visible through the vegetation, but I zoomed in and shot this photo just to see if I could get him.  And look and what was also in the picture!  Bonus!

I love this little duck....but don't know what kind it is.

An anhing coming up from his fishing trip - beautiful.

Hmmm....pig frog.

We watched this sweetie eat his meal.  Listened to the crunch, too!  :)  I took a lot of chewing shots, but when I downloaded them, they make him look so mean!   He was about 8 feet away.

Hello, water moccasin.

Hope you enjoyed it!  I have so many more photos - maybe next time.