Company in the Crab Apple

The crab apple tree outside my front window is a favorite spot for birds. Some of them munch the apples, others use branches as a place to nibble on sunflower hearts and still others simply like to hang out in a safe spot for a while. The little tree is also a welcome haven from the wind when it blusters in from the north.

Madam Cardinal did a lot of simply sitting late one afternoon this week. It had been snowing and she decided to take refuge in the apple tree and just watch the world go by for a bit.

She perched in the branches for nearly an hour, and while I couldn't get a clear picture of her through the snowy limbs, I really enjoyed her quiet company as I sat at the dining table and carved.

The next day, this little house finch peered in the window to watch me work for a bit, too. She has such an inquisitive expression on her face, doesn't she?  

It's always a treat to glance up and see who is coming and going. Who knows, maybe they enjoy keeping track of me, too!

Little Red Demon

I have a very tenacious and quarrelsome red squirrel that likes to take over the bird feeders whenever possible - and maintain possession to the exclusion of all others.

 

It seems no matter how often I chase it away or move the feeder to a different spot, it always figures out a way to scare off the birds and lay claim to the sunflower hearts.

I will admit that it's a very cute little demon and if it could live in harmony with the birds and other squirrels, I wouldn't be as put out about the gluttony.
 

 

But, as my grandmother would say, handsome is as handsome does and this mean miniature marauder chases everybody else away with its ill tempered lunges full fledged chase scenes. 

I think I may have to procure a have-a-heart trap when the weather gets warmer and mount a mean squirrel relocation program.

 

Regal Immaturity?

 

It seems like an oxymoron, doesn't it? But, this young bald eagle manages to be both, whether flying with the ravens or asking a parent for guidance. 

 

Once again, the trail camera caught some beautiful live action - I love it when that happens.  In the picture above, the sneaky camera got triggered by  a flock of ravens and a young eagle getting startled and taking off. It's such a great way to be able to study the wing motion and flight angles.

Seriously, isn't this landing among the ravens spectacular? Definitely good carving inspiration!

They are huge birds - look at the wingspan on this youngster. I also love the mottled feathers. They take up to five and a half years to develop the distinctive white head and tail and dark body plumage.

 

Here the big (enormous!) baby is coming in to feed with its parent for a while. I know it's just perspective, but the baby looks even bigger than the adult!

I got to see a mated pair sitting together in a tree a couple days ago - they were very regal sweethearts. Sadly, I was driving and couldn't take a picture, but I enjoyed the rare treat!  I haven't spotted the nest yet, but it has to be nearby - I'll keep my eyes open.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This pert little pair of chickadees seemed appropriate as a celebration of Valentine's Day! They also seem like they might be a lovely couple to carve. They're such cuties!

And for those of us without a sweetheart with whom to celebrate Valentine's Day, happy one month until Pi Day! There's always something to celebrate!! :)

Patterns and Perspective

I took advantage of a sunny pre-sunset walk around one of my favorite little trails and enjoyed a few unexpectedly interesting views along my way.

 

The lichens on this tree were a beautiful soft green against the dark bark and almost seemed like a cool flame spreading along the surface of the trunk.

I also enjoyed the perspective of this fallen tree, with a few tall, slim branches rising straight up out of the snow. They line up so perfectly along the very center - they look like they are standing as sentinels along the edge of the lake. 

The lake where pond lilies grew and muskrats played last summer is completely frozen and stark this time of year. Sometimes the snow covered surface has different tracks traveling across it, and I imagine the coyote, deer or rabbit venturing out onto the ice. This time the expanse was smooth and undisturbed.

Watching from the observation point on the other end of the trail, I noticed the clouds looked like they were all emanating from one spot low on the horizon and fanning out like feathers across the sky. The gradation of blue from light to dark as it climbed the sky was also striking in contrast to the brightness of the clouds. 

 

Well, Poo...!

Last night, while doing a test packing and postage estimate for a customer, I discovered that the post office has pulled the rug out from under us.  Regional flat rate priority mail is no longer available. This means that I won't be able to pass along postage savings because there won't be any.

I'm not charging the full retail rate on the stampeaz.com site, because I get a little commercial discount and I'm continuing to pass that along, but it's not as good as the regional rates. I'm really disappointed (and I'm sure you are, too)! 

The good news for the day is that I still have a box of bits and bobs to share with anyone who tells me they want some included with their package. 

Always look on the bright side of life.... Ti doo ti doo ti doo ti doo... (Yes, that's right,  I'm singing that as I type. And all my slightly twisted friends out there probably get the reference.) ;-)

What Day is It?

So, do you know what day it is? It's an anniversary day. I like to celebrate anniversary days. I'll let you think about it for a minute while I tell you the other news.

In keeping with my resolution to post tutorials on the Stampeaz site, I put up another one today. I had enough questions about what to do if you had already carved your block and still needed to sand it to get better ink adherence. It's called, But I Already Carved. 

Okay, back to the original question.... Seventeen years ago, I purchased Stampeaz and opened it up for business again on this day that year. There have been some rocky times (like the big site crash), but it's been great to be a part of this wonderful carving community. In honor of the anniversary and to celebrate seventeen amazing years, Tan-Z Kut is on sale today. And, if you order, don't forget to ask for some of the bits and bobs that I still have hanging around on the packing table.

Down by the Riverside

 I took a walk along a river trail and found some more snowy delights.

Snow had fallen on these grapes and created a frozen beaded necklace.

 

The river is just over the bank from the spruce above. I love the way the branches are covered with a snowy blanket.

That snowy spruce is just on the right of the picture above. I particularly like how the falling snow contrasts with the dark water of the river.

Snow covered branches, roots and fallen trees that jut into the river are striking against the rippling current. 

It's always so peaceful to listen to the flowing water on a quiet, snowy day. 

 

Barking Mad

Sometimes, I get completely captivated by the patterns driven snow creates on bark and thorn and vine and branch.

It's like intricate lacework adorning the bare trees of winter.

Then, there are grapevines peeking through the snow, defiantly winding their way toward the sky.

Fierce barbs on this thorn apple keep their watch through winter's storms.

And the snow adorns this young tree like a ballerina's costume. Look at it just right and you will see the gracefully extended upper branches, like arms and the lifted lower branch in an arboreal arabesque.

Yes, I let my imagination run away with me again, but that's what it's for, right? 

Not only that, but it's Groundhog Day - the day midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, when the days start getting longer faster.  It's a day I always celebrate with joy and some degree of giddiness. *dancing among the trees*