Sings of Spring

The days are becoming longer and there is a certain quality in the air. It's an attribute that seems to herald the warmer weather of Spring. But for now we just have this "quality": some mist in the air catching the light, tree buds swell just a little more and catching the light in a different way.

And this morning, something very special: the furtive scamperings seen in broken sunlight and newly occupied shadows of a mammal on the island below the dam. I think it was a weasel; it seemed too small and fast to be a fisher cat. What on earth was this fellow doing on the tiny island surrounded by rushing water? I wonder. I saw this same phenomenon 1-2 years ago: a noticed change in the patterns and a suggestion of some contrary indicated motion. A scrambling and frantic wriggling, lithe and purposeful like a fish trying ascend the dam. You should have seen it. Here and gone.

02-24-17-island
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02-23-17-reflections
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02-23-17-millstones
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02-24-17-swans
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Big Birds

Despite the snow and ice (and my winter aches and pains), the birds are more getting active as the days grow longer. There is singing and territorial intrigues in the bushes and undergrowth. Hawks and falcons are lingering within striking distance of bird feeders. The swans ("Romeo and Juliet") hang around like nonplussed but obviously lustful teenagers. It would seem that winter weather is a passing thing and we shall not take it too seriously. And the earth spins on its tippy tilted axis and brings us all this entertainment. It's so simple. Yes it is.

A crow walking in the snow
02-15-17
charcoal, ink

A swan walking in the snow
02-16-17
charcoal

mallards seen from above
02-11-17
ink, charcoal

solo swan
02-08-17
charcoal

Swans and geese
02-08-17
charcoal

Florida memories

As a major winter storm settles in here in Natick today, it's hard to imagine that I spent three days last week on the beach in St. Augustine, Florida.  I tried to do as little as possible but I did enjoy drawing the ocean and reading "SPQR" by Mary Beard. Both highly recommended activities. And bird watching, eating seafood, and playing house. And then, poof! We flew home. And today, I stare at snow and snow shovels!

Sunrise
02-02-17
chalk, charcoal

02-03-17
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02-03-17
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02-03-17
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02-03-17
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