Birding at HLG

Today was a busy day.  I spent the morning taking a birding class at Hidden Lake Gardens.  This is a photo of a Grey Catbird which didnt seem too upset about my presence.  I also saw a few Indigo Buntings, a Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Kingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Song Sparrow and Red-eyed Vireo.  I did see a bunch of other common feeder birds such as Robins, Cardinals, Downey Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmouse and Gold Finches.  We heard a Yellow Warbler but never saw him.  Along the trails there were also nice blooms of Trillium…

and Columbine….

Here’s that Eastern Kingbird….

 

Under the Maple Tree

I havent posted any photos of prints lately, but I have been working feverishly on a few.  They are for a friend who asked if I would make a few prints for her wedding.  I dont plan on posting the photos until after the wedding.  But, I will post this photo which I used as inspiration.  I finished an 8×10 linocut similar to this photo last night.  I made some compositional changes in the final design.  I’m also working on a small 3×5 woodcut, which I already posted.  Since it was my first woodcut I may or may not use it.  It depends on how the prints turns out.  Anyway, this weekend I hung a new wire frame shelf in my studio to use as a drying rack.  I made a new printing board to hold my block in place while printing.  And, I ordered some new water soluable oil based ink from Daniel Smith and some Rives BFK paper.  As soon as it all comes in I’ll start hand pressing the prints.   

White Crowned Sparrow

Bird of the day…the White Crowned Sparrow.  I have been seeing them in numbers around the yard this week.  I believe these guys are just passing by as they head to Canada.  K spotted a Northern Oriole this morning but I couldnt get the camera out in time to get his pic.