Autum Colors and Lou Reed

The day was cool and crisp, perfect for the afternoon walk.

 Our summer of sunshine has yielded a brilliant palette of color to the leaves this autumn.  I walked up the 40,000 Road with Flossy and my camera.   

Thiis little fern makes me think of a ladder (of course).

 The sun is lower and lower in the sky as we slide toward the end of another year.

The days and days of rain have left diamonds on the tiny plants by the side of the logging road.

Early this morning, our Daughter texted me the news that Lou Reed has died.  The Velvet Underground was the soundtrack of my life at one period.  I mourn the passing of this poet of Punk. 

 'there are problems in these times, but none of them are mine'

'Beginning to See the Light' - Lou Reed
1942 - 2013

See you in the Light, Lou.

The last couple days have been full of glorious sunshine, making the afternoon walk a real pleasure.  After being cooped up for 8 hours in the Mighty Mighty Day Job, Flossy and I really enjoy heading up one of the local logging roads for a ramble.

I keep my walking shoes in my truck so we can stop on the way home at the Twin Creek Road.

Flossy leads the way up 'Maniac Mountain' (Falls Creek Road)

Skunk Cabbage is flourishing now...

...and all the little streams are bubbling and sparkling as they come down the mountain.

Tiny yellow violets are abundant.

This Blue Jay played a game of hide and seek with us as I tried to snap his portrait.

Those incredible blue feathers are a real forest standout!

Coming down off Twin Creek Road, the view up the Narrows is spectacular.

Also making the week a treat: Kim's give-away gift arrived in my post office box!  

 

I absolutely love this necklace!  Thank you, Kim!

Autumn Colors

After work on a recent afternoon, the sun broke through to illuminate autumn colors in the beach fringe.  

salmon berry leaves rimmed with red

a jelly fish washed up on the tide line

bull kelp glows golden in the late sunlight

hope your week is full of color and joy...

Lots of Winter Still Here

Ice on the beach one day...

...followed by a day of heavy, wet snow.  We slogged to the Slough.

 

The next day, a break, with a dramatic evening sky.  I was struck by how opaque the line of clouds right above the mountains across the Narrows looked.

Winter is lingering just as the Ground Hop predicted, but seems to be loosing its teeth and claws.  Spring is coming, but today, I can wait.

Ducks and Painting

The weather has been quite moderate all month, making noontime walks a pleasure.  The mirror calm South Harbor provided smooth sailing for these local waterfowl.  

 A reflected patch of Petersburg mountain caught my eye.

Back in the studio, paintings are progressing.  

I like working on two at a time.

This is the painting on the right above, after the second morning.

And the same painting again at the end of the second day.

The smaller painting - finished for now.

And a detail...

I’m working with acrylic and paper on canvas with some transferring and stamping thrown in.  Finding my way in paint again after years in other media is an interesting venture as I slowly rediscover its magic – so direct.