Of all the prints in my collection, one of my personal favorites is the painting I made inspired by a photographic plate in the book "Colored Plates of the Butterflies of the West Coast, Being Actual Photograhs, Life-size, and in all their natural colors" by W. G. Wright. The book is long since out of print, but it still inspires me to this day.
I have a fondness for the subject since I had a collection of butterflies of my own when I was a boy.
I hope you enjoy the painting!
Labels: art, butterflies, insects, painting, watercolor
Devil's Claw
This seed pod is about six inches across, and attaches itself to the legs or feet of large animals for travel and high adventure.
In contrast to the pod, the flower is very delicate and beautiful. My gift shop is currently featuring this flower on a 100% cotton, preshrunk, black T shirt. You can view the T-shirt or purchase one by clicking on the floral image.
Labels: devils claw, flower, seed pod, weed, wild flower
Gray Squirrel
The "Gray" is one of the larger squirrels, yet it moves through it's forest habitat as if it were weightless: sometimes it appears to be levitating!
Here's a painting of one of these guys, and a T shirt from my gift shop.
Labels: animals, art, Drybrushwet, gray squirrel, ground squirrel, wildlife
Rattlers and Ground Squirrels
The ground squirrel has begun to be much more common here in the valley recently, and has attracted the western diamondback rattlesnake
; both of which used to live mostly in the nearby foothills. This close relationship between the two has apparently resulted in the ground squirrel becoming imune to the snake's toxin; according to some accounts.
The western diamondback rattle snake image comes from the website of nature photographer Randy L. Emmitt. Randy does some really nice work, click on the image and visit his site to see the great things he has to offer also!
Labels: ground squirrel, rattlesnake, western diamondback
Great Egret
I was surprised to discover that what we call the Great Egret is actually, in the Americas, a white form of the Great Blue Heron .
I have a painting of the Great Egret, I mean the Great White "Blue Heron", in my store.
Labels: birds, Drybrushwet, great blue heron, great egret, wildlife
Killdeer
Seeing the picture of Cache Creek in front of the Pacific coast range foothills reminds me of the pervasive Killdeer running about and calling "
their own name", as it were. I may try to do a painting of one today.
Labels: birds, cache creek, Drybrushwet, killdeer, wildlife
As a child I once raised a
gray fox from a kit. I named him Tiki; and for the most part he behaved in a somewhat domesticated manner.
However, I remember one summer day when a young neighbor brought a pigeon over to the house to show the other kids.
Unfortunately Tiki was lurking in the bushes; and
then, in a blinding flash Tiki snatched the unsuspecting victom and proudly retired to enjoy his repast.
Labels: Drybrushwet, fox, gray fox, watercolor
The doves around here love to gorge themselves on the little black seeds of the turkey mullen plant. You can click on the dove photo for a painted image in my gift shop.
Labels: dove, morning dove, mourning dove, mullen, turkey mullen
Meadowlark Art!
I have long been a fan of Meadowlarks. While driving in the country it always makes me smile to hear their distinctive "
whaa hee whodlee hoop" song. My latest artwork features a Meadowlark with a brilliant yellow chest. I have applied this design to several nice items in my cafepress store. Please click on the T-Shirt graphic to view my newest works!
Labels: Cafepress, meadowlark, T-shirt
The red-tailed hawk was very common around here long before the other raptors made a comeback. Still, I haven't been able to take a decent photograph of one, so I was dependant on my observations and the photos of others to make this painting.
Labels: birds, Drybrushwet, hawk, red tailed hawk, wildlife
Turkey Pond
The wild turkeys have been visiting a friend's ranch recently; and since the creek here sometimes dries up in the summer months, we constructed a small watering hole for them.
They like it!
It is overgrown with foliage now; and the other day I inadvertantly walked up on one taking a bath. I don't know which one of us was more surprised!
Labels: birds, Drybrushwet, turkey, wild turkeys, wildlife
The Tractor Wheel
After a recent creek bottom exploratory expedition, I finally managed to retrieve the prize artifact from our "archeological" dig.
Garden Update
Alas, again I'm having difficulties with my tomato and pepper plants. However!-- my herbs are doing great!
I really love to hear these guys sing! To hear an audio sample of the Red Winged Blackbird, please click on the TITLE of this entry.
To see a Limited Edition Giclee Print from my original watercolor, currently for sale, please click on the photo to the right!
Thank you.
Labels: bird songs, birds wildlife, blackbird, Drybrushwet, red-winged blackbird
The common Jay around here is the Scrub jay. I share my garden area with a family of them that raise their young here year after year.
Click on the painting to see the image on a coffee mug.
Labels: birds, blue jay, Drybrushwet, jay, scrub jay, wildlife
Slow as Gravy
If you like cowboy stuff I have a print of
cowboy spurs in my store that may interest you.
Labels: cartoons, cowboy, Drybrushwet, the other thing
The red fox seen around here in the valley was once considered to be artificially introduced and an invasive threat to the local ecology. However, according to a UC Davis researcher, new findings suggest that these animals are native and related to the Sierra Nevada red fox.
This is a photo of one that I took near Cache creek in Yolo county.
Labels: Drybrushwet, fox, native species, red fox, sierra nevada
This is a nest of a Downy Woodpecker. I have been trying to get a photograph of him, however he is extremely camera shy. Maybe tomorrow-- I will be there verrrry early!
Labels: Drybrushwet, woodpecker
The lower photo is of an old Tom that I saw down in the bottom of Cache Creek.
Click on the upper picture to see this image on a coffee mug.
While exploring the wilds of Cache Creek here in Yolo county, I involuntarily collect a lot of these "friendly" little guys who instantly attached themselves to me. I'm told that they were the inspiration for Velcro.
The Other Garden
The other garden ( i.e. the one with an infinate variety of tomatoes) is doing quite well. In fact we picked some squash from the plant over on the left and barbecued them this afternoon.
New Watercolor Painting - Limited Edition Prints AvailableRuby Throated Hummingbirds are by far the most common hummingbird in North America.They are also the bird that most "feeders" work hard to attract to their yards. The Ruby-throatedhummingbirds legs are so short that they prevent it from walking or doing much hopping around. In addition to the "humming" of its wings, this little hummer also has a rather high pitched, quick chirp. Please click on the image to visit my ebay store for more views of the painting, or to purchase a limited edition print.
Labels: Drybrushwet, hummingbird, John Monroe, Limited Edition Print, Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Finally !
Well, the garden is in; Blue T Rex is on the job; but he seems to be eyeballing the bell pepper plant, which is not exactly thriving.
