I'd prefer to sketch with lead pencil of all art mediums...I can pick up my sketch pad and carry it with me when I get a notion to draw. Unlike a painting project that remains on the easel and I have to go back and forth to the library [our book room] and work in only the one area. But, I have used acrylic paints for painting once in a while. Here are some that are framed and hanging around the house. I apologize for some that look cropped, for a reason....the glass with the frame shows light reflections [or curtains, etc.] so, I had to stand at an angle to get a better perspective:
A sea turtle
A Wood Duck
A Cardinal
A Hummingbird
A Tri-colored Heron
A Brown Pelican [I've shown this as a header on my blogs before]
A Great Blue Heron
Besides acrylics and pencil, I've experimented in oil, oil pastels [I have a couple I've got ready to share here at a later time], and colored pencil. But, most often I grab my #5 lead pencil and sketch pad and draw.
This past weekend, at Rockport-Fulton, Texas the annual hummingbird - fest was held. It's a self-guided route [driving] to many, many areas throughout the two town radius. With people's homes and parks open for viewing the migration of the ruby-throated hummingbird. And may I add the hummer-bird festival, as what it's called in Autumn is also dedicated to all migratory birds that fly south for the winter where food is more readily available for them. But, the hummingbirds can be seen by the thousands!!!
With my camera and binoculars at the ready in the passenger seat of the car, I left home at daybreak to beat the predicted heat of the day that was sure to be upon us birders in no time. About midway to Rockport it rained enough to wet the pavement on the highway; making it more sultry. Once beyond the straight-away section of the road, the sun would be off to my right, making visibility a bit more safe. Some drivers just don't slow down....even with the bright sun in our eyes. Not me...I creep along like an old lady who is afraid to be behind the steering wheel. At least until I'm heading in a different direction. Then, of course, I make up for lost time. lol
Upon arriving, I hit the well-known parks and birding areas first. I was elated to see the hundreds of nectar feeders throughout. My first thought was "Whoever has the responsibility of keeping these feeders filled should be commended". They were everywhere I looked! Along the roads, in parks, yards...the signage was directing us in every direction of town and along the coast. And the birds, once they were awake, were hungry!!! I started taking photos and soon gave up and just watched their frenzied feeding....filling up for their long journey to Mexico and South America. Here are some photos I took at first, before I stopped altogether. I just couldn't keep up with them all at once...
...and of course, a few hummers!!!
From Linda Castro Refuge [which had 8 feeders that I saw], to Tule Marsh [a dozen feeders], around town; groups of five or more in one spot, to along the coast, lined on poles, etc. and people's yards with varied numbers of feeders...anywhere from a couple to hundreds of ruby throats at one time, the feeders were busy!! And, after walking some along Tule Creek, I gathered up my camera and binoculars, headed to the street fair to see what crafty wares were for sale at the tented booths, and a short drive around the harbor/yacht club before heading home. I did buy one seasonal [no need for a hint, I'm sure you can guess] thing at the street fair. I'll show you on another post.
More than once I've noticed several cars [not at the same time] parked in an area of Bazemore Park where the Nueces river is...I walk this park many times a month....anyway, I saw the other day that there were no cars there, so, I ventured up the hill and found a marble plaque saying that there is a nature trail in the vicinity. I found the opening to the trailhead and started climbing. Several smaller trails veered off the main trail...tho, I was quite leary of taking any of them since the grasses were high and a lot of this growth was on the trails themselves...we have ticks in the area this time of year - and naturally, found in uncut grass. I stayed on the main trail!!! Boy oh boy was that ever a work out!! A small incline all the way up, and steps galore. One step in particular I nearly had to get on my knees and hoist myself up to continue on the path...
I was there at the park in search of a rare Calliope Hummingbird reported seen near the Hawkwatch Platform. I'll get to that after I share some more of the 'new' hiking trail in photos...
Well, as far as I know I didn't see the rare hummingbird. I really can't say. Why? 'Cause while I was at the hawkwatch platform [where all the hummingbird feeders are - 8 of them], I saw, literally dozens if not hundreds of hummingbirds!!! It was early in the morning, when hummingbirds are active, feeding. And I just couldn't keep track of ALL the feeders at once. They were at the nectar stations by the dozens, they were flying around my head, whizzing by so quickly...they were even zipping in among the tree canopies galore!! Naturally, I took several photos. But, I was anxious to get on the park road and walk. I'll share just one photo of a single ruby-throated hummer that I took in my photos app on the laptop and added rainfall effect. I don't know it the video will work tho, 'cause I'm loading it here directly from my computer instead of youtube - in case of not running correctly, I'll add the original 'still life' image first...
addendum: It didn't work properly when I published and tested the short effect video, so youtube it is. It'll probably take longer to load than play - it's only 5 seconds of rain coming down...
Our local weatherman we watch on the local news station recently pointed out that Venus would be rising in the Eastern sky as Jupiter was setting. Around 9 pm one night this past week, I went out and checked out the star studded sky and see if I could spot both planets. Yes indeed...Jupiter seemed to be much brighter than Venus this time...only 'cause the news told us viewers it was closest it's been to Earth for years!!!
Here's what I saw [actually, what the camera picked up with being hand held only...no tripod]:
[the very much blurred circular image is Jupiter zoomed in at the highest zoom marking on the 'auto' setting.
Then, before I went back in the house for the night, I took a photo of one of our solar lights on the patio. Naturally, a bird...a hummer!!
Sunday morning I walked two small parks in town...the air was cool, the breeze was gentle, and the sun was bright!! The Lake was sparkling!!! The birds were singing....
Arriving back home, and after I ate my lunch and finished my chores for the day, I sat outside and read my book...but not for long. I had to go in and load my camera with its card and get back outside, hidden in the shadows of the tree and watched the humming birds at the two feeders...
