tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53796163962253368812024-02-20T19:04:33.986-07:00always alethiaAlethia means Truth in Greek. I'm particularly fond of the Author of all Truth... Jesus, who is The Way, The Truth and The Light. My blog is a place I post my photos, art, nature adventures... or pretty much whatever strikes my fancy. ;) Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-75510654605658896262014-10-01T15:48:00.000-07:002014-10-04T08:59:48.178-07:00Done<br />
Letting it go.<br />
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The end.<br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><br /><br />"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12:24</span><br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-48144646917143174892014-09-28T20:26:00.004-07:002014-09-28T20:41:50.461-07:00Farewell September!I know, I know... my massive reader-base has been wondering what in the world happened to me this summer. (Sarcasm)<br />
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Hello... hello? Is anyone there? ...I know I did not have a massive reader base, and may not even have a soul left out there now. But, just in case anyone is still checking in and has indeed wondered what has become of me...well, I'm still here. I did have an exceptionally busy summer. <br />
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From May - mid July I had a nearly full time (volunteer) job coordinating our state-wide homeschool art and photography contest. THAT was much more work than I realized it would be. On the heels of that I spent the month of August going back and forth to another state to help with some family health issues and to attend a weekend workshop with a wonderful watercolor artist, Brenda Swenson. That was a JOY!<br />
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Of course there were many other events large and small which filled our days (we prepared a place in the yard for a desert tortoise, and just recently were okayed to 'adopt' one from the state for one thing) but I don't want to bore you dear readers, so I won't go into all the details. :) <br />
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Here is some of the artwork I did sketch/paint over the summer. Just to prove I wasn't a couch potato munching bon bons for the past few months. <br /><br />Many of these are sketches done for <a href="http://sketchbookskool.com/">Sketchbook Skool</a>, an online artist journal keeping practicum. <i> It's new, it's awesome. Do it. </i> So the themes and subject matter are random, depending on the teacher/technique/style of the week's 'klass'! (Not sure I'll ever get used to the 'k' thing, though!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayzwFx0isD415HbTto0aP_LMUwG49QjTV6zsbsEEQqnJOjnvAh2ygfsGN5Hb33dMLhVglwLQEf6ZS_nBNNHx5QepbhI6huPqz2dytEhuH_i7FQi7PceGsIl2Z8Yl0mxKE-0sH26BDpO4/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayzwFx0isD415HbTto0aP_LMUwG49QjTV6zsbsEEQqnJOjnvAh2ygfsGN5Hb33dMLhVglwLQEf6ZS_nBNNHx5QepbhI6huPqz2dytEhuH_i7FQi7PceGsIl2Z8Yl0mxKE-0sH26BDpO4/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser goldfinch sketched from my photos, just for practice, not SBS</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfJcr-YI_jWVCTXTOhzjekymgtYW9d6ORgCqSDMWNKPHeMjU-bU42ddc9tasaddwZK0TRTEo8tpM1j7VwgU3MuhJwKYpet7xihvddThwdamzTP6CxDS6rSGscl3SotqVsO8gFVuXMdkk/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfJcr-YI_jWVCTXTOhzjekymgtYW9d6ORgCqSDMWNKPHeMjU-bU42ddc9tasaddwZK0TRTEo8tpM1j7VwgU3MuhJwKYpet7xihvddThwdamzTP6CxDS6rSGscl3SotqVsO8gFVuXMdkk/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG" height="316" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SBS assignment for Tommy Kane's klass. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSPC8g7F9uyYF8JA58gX8S08m16Lpc6j3irauap74GAGFtq8D9SFRC1_3-PQ0vzK5aRasznl1RR4-Pn5_aGJJWp0QZBCE1eOe_fnxJH8BoIHhqzY23Ct7cx4VhXaOm0UQO9LINbSq2qU/s1600/IMG_1819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSPC8g7F9uyYF8JA58gX8S08m16Lpc6j3irauap74GAGFtq8D9SFRC1_3-PQ0vzK5aRasznl1RR4-Pn5_aGJJWp0QZBCE1eOe_fnxJH8BoIHhqzY23Ct7cx4VhXaOm0UQO9LINbSq2qU/s1600/IMG_1819.JPG" height="260" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Skool Student led assignments while waiting for 2nd semester to start.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YGpSEulp8ooc-65TQCdSCEF3ulicCNhmnRY3705kyEEb0s19eZGV7HR_Q59QiWi8uWl3rbRqHCvLwr6GJGpZwnfwBITphXDpAz62iw3Ve7kFl5863T1ZF59SAH3ySJPr2qOAIrMouIY/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YGpSEulp8ooc-65TQCdSCEF3ulicCNhmnRY3705kyEEb0s19eZGV7HR_Q59QiWi8uWl3rbRqHCvLwr6GJGpZwnfwBITphXDpAz62iw3Ve7kFl5863T1ZF59SAH3ySJPr2qOAIrMouIY/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketchbook Skool 'Seeing' begins, first assignment, sketch toast... really!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2_g1VU5NCJSUP1VTNSU3fnlC22xlkFI6VeM11T15-Km-5D3c_RQ8nxA93mG8HTZEf7Xc0or9Q2aZUWsAaSU1BbSskrVI7YSPS5zPUUWS00OffR_a2KWIN3HH3N8WxpOrCffdKqyeFC0/s1600/IMG_2036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2_g1VU5NCJSUP1VTNSU3fnlC22xlkFI6VeM11T15-Km-5D3c_RQ8nxA93mG8HTZEf7Xc0or9Q2aZUWsAaSU1BbSskrVI7YSPS5zPUUWS00OffR_a2KWIN3HH3N8WxpOrCffdKqyeFC0/s1600/IMG_2036.JPG" height="400" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SBS Danny Gregory assignment, quick and slow (quick wash, slow inking)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICtqEzU5oHw6T-CRTqBK1GJCEJO0PNHxCpRhM6a_wEEXPQXz4W_1pkyXyePPh0xiwtMYEIQrRcDYdyzZjDcAztbueIOlGUMF0znERhkMGVMxs80sgJ6_3oVapDL-AD3XzLdn6nTyvmEE/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICtqEzU5oHw6T-CRTqBK1GJCEJO0PNHxCpRhM6a_wEEXPQXz4W_1pkyXyePPh0xiwtMYEIQrRcDYdyzZjDcAztbueIOlGUMF0znERhkMGVMxs80sgJ6_3oVapDL-AD3XzLdn6nTyvmEE/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" height="400" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketched a beetle I found while we were camping one weekend in July. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY89Sy1CAy9LCacyHo0i7rnSK0c69_Q9hDGh7NzkkLM6DXftiORymj-bBWuitySoTaxOi6ACqmkLhiostVDNbtt0Yp9ZU9K32okpHLuaAZgTTyPX0prTm3lv6n7jVXO0dRaH1FCx0or1o/s1600/IMG_2354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY89Sy1CAy9LCacyHo0i7rnSK0c69_Q9hDGh7NzkkLM6DXftiORymj-bBWuitySoTaxOi6ACqmkLhiostVDNbtt0Yp9ZU9K32okpHLuaAZgTTyPX0prTm3lv6n7jVXO0dRaH1FCx0or1o/s1600/IMG_2354.JPG" height="400" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketched the gravestone of a poor lynched rancher. This is the brutal west after all.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpA9VSDoi2Sm1gUjqv6E9_kF9hPGhF6J12_XERy_-R4VCP-gfhq4_SUFJfViTlmytbY0Dc6RcmWUAQI4s4jIWXmOeijP6xgN_2FHX1Or0sgurWSP47vBktHBcuLbgJK8tFejegnGvge0/s1600/IMG_2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpA9VSDoi2Sm1gUjqv6E9_kF9hPGhF6J12_XERy_-R4VCP-gfhq4_SUFJfViTlmytbY0Dc6RcmWUAQI4s4jIWXmOeijP6xgN_2FHX1Or0sgurWSP47vBktHBcuLbgJK8tFejegnGvge0/s1600/IMG_2576.JPG" height="311" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More SBS lessons... Andrea Joseph's collection assignment. Painstakingly slow inkwork, in the photo the piece is unfinished. The page may or may not be finished to this day. ;) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmq6Lg88gcFEKJDA1hyphenhyphenQ5Fdj4Fc6kMqd5c_tWyZCwD9gdU_ZxR7hScSAqHTUcLxvWiXjp-mWU0gIVI6YnfJrTpLpYUmv6gyha4i62nKTeMmPdk1CTjRzVEbZgfqK6y2fK7B48c7ambVf4/s1600/IMG_2580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmq6Lg88gcFEKJDA1hyphenhyphenQ5Fdj4Fc6kMqd5c_tWyZCwD9gdU_ZxR7hScSAqHTUcLxvWiXjp-mWU0gIVI6YnfJrTpLpYUmv6gyha4i62nKTeMmPdk1CTjRzVEbZgfqK6y2fK7B48c7ambVf4/s1600/IMG_2580.JPG" height="397" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SBS My FAVORITE teacher thus far, Liz Steel, her lesson was terrific and practical. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCWpMA9a14j0CaEN2svU3RffJLWQHgnzM9se_XJVYTbiAJcciT8SivdbYMk8nLsVtqV3-uXHtI_E_hDtp5ksp-IpypgaOR1FoQGrMrOE-B7snA2sA1Ryctd-iVMN4OaJ_ttnLc9oJjys/s1600/20140901_102407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCWpMA9a14j0CaEN2svU3RffJLWQHgnzM9se_XJVYTbiAJcciT8SivdbYMk8nLsVtqV3-uXHtI_E_hDtp5ksp-IpypgaOR1FoQGrMrOE-B7snA2sA1Ryctd-iVMN4OaJ_ttnLc9oJjys/s1600/20140901_102407.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lesson from <a href="http://www.strathmoreartist.com/artist-studio/">Strathmore's</a> free online courses, this one was quite good, by Gay Kraeger.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3WOGxWAjdl2N9Hnf6HOxOzwt4qdQfS3s_Igzpmn219kkNPSvE0GkNrdNC_uqSnueUxOL1M8Ji80SxBy6Ulbz9fW8vVv0N3wDMhWbY9bGOuGAutj-Ova7OPbylVouPhYBU2Po655eSkQ/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3WOGxWAjdl2N9Hnf6HOxOzwt4qdQfS3s_Igzpmn219kkNPSvE0GkNrdNC_uqSnueUxOL1M8Ji80SxBy6Ulbz9fW8vVv0N3wDMhWbY9bGOuGAutj-Ova7OPbylVouPhYBU2Po655eSkQ/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wee birthday card sketched for a friend.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWDSan9lMnPMcA0fnFNwBubl5MtVg5IRu8CjB96KeUL2qKdXh7h-2dKQPBUVru3xMDif9TgnVeJSUJ4kPSQ_3YWd_tuP-NcUBJPsNB2AZY2sMF84MCbyM1tTTujyUZtvK71cowL86CHc/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWDSan9lMnPMcA0fnFNwBubl5MtVg5IRu8CjB96KeUL2qKdXh7h-2dKQPBUVru3xMDif9TgnVeJSUJ4kPSQ_3YWd_tuP-NcUBJPsNB2AZY2sMF84MCbyM1tTTujyUZtvK71cowL86CHc/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brenda Swenson's workshop in Lake Arrowhead was on negative space watercolor technique. Love her and loved this workshop!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdpDm-rP6-DX7j7rm5GakeyVnJRTspCA8WeaXqGLyVMNqID4eXf5M4Pn-6HZQO7C5d3NukpBTGftiRkSy_8yTb7ostFLJRFCGVtUGqQmk-SZb9TFIoZ7r9koAGqdMVksiJwi6Gx-dkl4/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdpDm-rP6-DX7j7rm5GakeyVnJRTspCA8WeaXqGLyVMNqID4eXf5M4Pn-6HZQO7C5d3NukpBTGftiRkSy_8yTb7ostFLJRFCGVtUGqQmk-SZb9TFIoZ7r9koAGqdMVksiJwi6Gx-dkl4/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" height="400" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another piece done at Brenda's workshop. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bkVlUN2M9j1z1-YRhK3h6eG0tS2Hl2WiKQ-uxq_IEEkGXFvkfVJRuPuzFF3bjVEb42ZLvVAiC79o9ljR6bI_uMsPnX_8M4xRAYBIyB6IZCBtLu-Hc2LTP7UFq9Pf9EWE5FrByLokz_k/s1600/IMG_2924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bkVlUN2M9j1z1-YRhK3h6eG0tS2Hl2WiKQ-uxq_IEEkGXFvkfVJRuPuzFF3bjVEb42ZLvVAiC79o9ljR6bI_uMsPnX_8M4xRAYBIyB6IZCBtLu-Hc2LTP7UFq9Pf9EWE5FrByLokz_k/s1600/IMG_2924.JPG" height="400" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spent a few lazy days at my brother's in Dana Point. One day at the beach 'she sketched sea weed by the sea shore'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbPEaoqZdMyz7PouYQbLNpf7Q8VzNFCyQ09pOXaD1hm3FhIYU-a_ZffVHy8QU7Cbn7iWotyEqMaygqW7w3jnDQ8y6ASgQvFZ6qWkTV8ecqIlrTzfO_IZhzGOpO5zFi8r6okNy9Dw1pv4/s1600/IMG_3152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbPEaoqZdMyz7PouYQbLNpf7Q8VzNFCyQ09pOXaD1hm3FhIYU-a_ZffVHy8QU7Cbn7iWotyEqMaygqW7w3jnDQ8y6ASgQvFZ6qWkTV8ecqIlrTzfO_IZhzGOpO5zFi8r6okNy9Dw1pv4/s1600/IMG_3152.JPG" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One morning I sliced a peach and set it on the window sill next to another peach, and the light on their forms called me to paint. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspppIdSCLJThBI3T3xmnwhhRQb6K9fEgYwriimrBAiIv1RXpyd-EzEV1UHTZQBn8nTiQd4CICvPZsq50hiXfYm57cGo80ihErUuRzhgKHVNC-VpQhRczyIPyZdAVwV9mbAbHwFRK5KeM/s1600/IMG_3276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspppIdSCLJThBI3T3xmnwhhRQb6K9fEgYwriimrBAiIv1RXpyd-EzEV1UHTZQBn8nTiQd4CICvPZsq50hiXfYm57cGo80ihErUuRzhgKHVNC-VpQhRczyIPyZdAVwV9mbAbHwFRK5KeM/s1600/IMG_3276.JPG" height="400" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketched this friendly catbird I had photographed last May in Central Park. (Oh yeah, we went to NYC in May for our son's graduation, 'magna cum laude' from the King's College. :)) </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP9I5LrpOJlrpBG-mqCFG8SyJhNxo8iK01gPwVOit1pb2uNz8RRpVMp7x8sg0WHC7fyIUZFCswTYaWK__IeOK3Kx23TkwbbhAbriFxA9_5-e44vUhZalt86INa37VT9hWExPYY2slj60/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP9I5LrpOJlrpBG-mqCFG8SyJhNxo8iK01gPwVOit1pb2uNz8RRpVMp7x8sg0WHC7fyIUZFCswTYaWK__IeOK3Kx23TkwbbhAbriFxA9_5-e44vUhZalt86INa37VT9hWExPYY2slj60/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another assignment from Gay Kraeger's class. (used tissue to lift clouds, along with sponging and splatters to make assorted textures in a landscape)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrpPEy5ZXdKjEs5RpJHzUuF9ifWZXKCdV3lhZC_2SuJpazmJohaazBx4jZfXtQys6J9Ct57i7XsvYxJ5XUvvzOttMqB1HruW1Nd1v2r17ewCtbnjdhPznIh-MAyF_W8XkRBBuPwzMCH4/s1600/IMG_3146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrpPEy5ZXdKjEs5RpJHzUuF9ifWZXKCdV3lhZC_2SuJpazmJohaazBx4jZfXtQys6J9Ct57i7XsvYxJ5XUvvzOttMqB1HruW1Nd1v2r17ewCtbnjdhPznIh-MAyF_W8XkRBBuPwzMCH4/s1600/IMG_3146.JPG" height="258" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While in Dana Point my niece took me whale watching. We saw several great blue whales. I painted this for her as a thank you. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvUb5cHn-mrJ6MG75RI8uwve5r0qXQjdjuw6drDsA4_hJrJTih-dw4zmJCheLAanQHt0pZ0Q_d2V9j6bjErpdF2m6avOvV8nmh49LUvZXzb1VBjFGbwRnlZVOyGojrIsV8IArISGSEv8/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvUb5cHn-mrJ6MG75RI8uwve5r0qXQjdjuw6drDsA4_hJrJTih-dw4zmJCheLAanQHt0pZ0Q_d2V9j6bjErpdF2m6avOvV8nmh49LUvZXzb1VBjFGbwRnlZVOyGojrIsV8IArISGSEv8/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small study done from a photo I took last spring of a bee and globe mallow. Put some Swenson technique into this one.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_Xn0XWP25lXv-uzEFI0mDI3Q2wybGnruXhDabV1aJr6Qau9I1jevHUhXlxwnAF_TDaZpJ0PUsojeMFcW4Ozw9I-jovLKFNFuMsx9CTZ3Iu0E2of4JM5IdgPDcQoBgEjF8VSdseLbn5c/s1600/IMG_3286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_Xn0XWP25lXv-uzEFI0mDI3Q2wybGnruXhDabV1aJr6Qau9I1jevHUhXlxwnAF_TDaZpJ0PUsojeMFcW4Ozw9I-jovLKFNFuMsx9CTZ3Iu0E2of4JM5IdgPDcQoBgEjF8VSdseLbn5c/s1600/IMG_3286.JPG" height="400" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer detail on my little 5"x 6" painting. I'd like to develop this into a more formal work. Love the colors. </td></tr>
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Okay... so I DID get in some art time this summer. My goal was to do much much more, but life didn't always cooperate. Thankful that I did manage this much. :) <br />
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Now, all in favor of me posting my favorite animal photos from the summer in my next post, say 'AYE!'<br />
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(insert cricket chirping here) <br />
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Hope your summer was warm, soft, and full of sweet memories! God bless you. :)<br />
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-51636755170538361412014-05-31T14:31:00.001-07:002014-05-31T15:23:06.173-07:00Farewell MayA last nod to spring, though here in the desert spring has all but vanished for the most part. This weeks temperatures reached 107 degrees. Our spring starts early and ends early! :) <br />
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So May was packed with special events for our family this year, a trip to NYC for our youngest's graduation from College, which coincided with our Anniversary and Mother's Day. A project I volunteered for has gotten into full swing and demanding my time, quite a bit. A local Art Contest, so it's an endeavor I'm enjoying for the most part. <br />
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Late May which is truthfully early summer here, includes many plants going to seed, birds still nesting or raising their young, a few cactus still blooming. Well, take a peek at what I found close to home this week...<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0Ezr-zAbKBDemkOaowybjxKDl-vORfy_sH3FbUa2opK3yf_jhE-bnohME1FbytnrEks4OOfi2EM3ONycZuwyIEtvXx1_-rDIfhc2TwxAv8h-S_uzYRP21BpIce4t7G7bPKTa1qp2Lf8/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0Ezr-zAbKBDemkOaowybjxKDl-vORfy_sH3FbUa2opK3yf_jhE-bnohME1FbytnrEks4OOfi2EM3ONycZuwyIEtvXx1_-rDIfhc2TwxAv8h-S_uzYRP21BpIce4t7G7bPKTa1qp2Lf8/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Jack Rabbit nibbling on premature saguaro fruit, probably knocked loose by birds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMeuUqVIZHjEUIYDthUUusj06XcCIJgEdRiSTFTOobZBVsn9Zd4qRWQZ5m2vb9345MOaWwI8rDU84MUErzWwgsTiibg5Tb1zWv-roJ2SvKc65u9Ex1vvVHUMnwrMCCtBV0U0gWeS9NZg/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMeuUqVIZHjEUIYDthUUusj06XcCIJgEdRiSTFTOobZBVsn9Zd4qRWQZ5m2vb9345MOaWwI8rDU84MUErzWwgsTiibg5Tb1zWv-roJ2SvKc65u9Ex1vvVHUMnwrMCCtBV0U0gWeS9NZg/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't often get the chance to snap these guys at the preserve, usually too few and too quick. I wonder if this fellow might be unwell, he was pretty slow. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtyczA6S0S5ns4GVCUaqcMB0lAGFmg5hU5LCPU25y_9PabZSgb0jDhvMPuzvlraePm-wRU0k9PVdv5lQivsX-hbFI0ttQSpGnQEK9erMFe4f_4OFuJXK5lOuMCAchIiVNWIKDkH_SE2o/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtyczA6S0S5ns4GVCUaqcMB0lAGFmg5hU5LCPU25y_9PabZSgb0jDhvMPuzvlraePm-wRU0k9PVdv5lQivsX-hbFI0ttQSpGnQEK9erMFe4f_4OFuJXK5lOuMCAchIiVNWIKDkH_SE2o/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a very few blossoms left on the saguaro, while the fruit are not yet ripe. Arizona is home of the biggest bluest skies! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBjH5ZBuPQ5mG27Rwaj6impAJsd_gVGaLIaK_tp9eUHK0QEsilwXAV03SSJBTq73DyBf_LtWY1OlbsOq6hUVPJp1sDGMnnSB_OnCQ1PZuyAuiyfinQGkYzh5p6kGOndnJM7lYIbANhyphenhyphenw/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBjH5ZBuPQ5mG27Rwaj6impAJsd_gVGaLIaK_tp9eUHK0QEsilwXAV03SSJBTq73DyBf_LtWY1OlbsOq6hUVPJp1sDGMnnSB_OnCQ1PZuyAuiyfinQGkYzh5p6kGOndnJM7lYIbANhyphenhyphenw/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ironwood trees are blooming and full of bees.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEdYR57bVdNPhU_qalpzUoa1Ai6zeREITHtaTHDhDoO8l4PLczm7PTxccdHP6VpqG_7Pk22we-ABzepCv9TA2fnXDeYv1Qf3EGbJbTMlIg5SckTurhyphenhyphenCc-SQO5U4VerLedC5bfQq1QSI/s1600/IMG_1944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEdYR57bVdNPhU_qalpzUoa1Ai6zeREITHtaTHDhDoO8l4PLczm7PTxccdHP6VpqG_7Pk22we-ABzepCv9TA2fnXDeYv1Qf3EGbJbTMlIg5SckTurhyphenhyphenCc-SQO5U4VerLedC5bfQq1QSI/s1600/IMG_1944.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The creosote is heavy with seed, gone are the bright yellow flowers till next year. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMPF0BayPlJvQdDt3bFNmseOPnEMUTQlxNabDMjXcivHcVJpIwLLY7g0kKS1OEXIa7zvUoMVnZUzGhEPlmm2NHPsytx_7s8it_QZYobyk6wA1Fah2XnzCfkCKn3DU2G-KDrwRA6aOE8I/s1600/IMG_1946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMPF0BayPlJvQdDt3bFNmseOPnEMUTQlxNabDMjXcivHcVJpIwLLY7g0kKS1OEXIa7zvUoMVnZUzGhEPlmm2NHPsytx_7s8it_QZYobyk6wA1Fah2XnzCfkCKn3DU2G-KDrwRA6aOE8I/s1600/IMG_1946.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Likewise many other desert blooming shrubs. Spiky seed pods on this species.<br />
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Here's what happening in the yard; the wild sunflowers are bursting with blooms, which is providing a feast for the goldfinches, precisely why I planted them! <br />
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-20216118898052581632014-04-21T11:42:00.004-07:002014-04-21T11:42:56.268-07:00For the Christian, Passion Week should inform every day... Easter, the Passion week, Good Friday, Resurrection Sunday... the holiday we just finished is the pinnacle of the Christian faith. It should be in our mind and hearts every morning as we awake, remembering His awakening from the dead... This is why we call ourselves 'Christian' and why we are who we are and do all that we do. It's why we love Him, believe Him and hope in Him. It's why we worship in community all over the world on Sunday instead of another day. It's the proof of God's love for man. <br />
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If you desire to maintain the fresh appreciation for the Gospel that comes with Passion week, or, if you know you were not as affected by 'Easter' as you should have been, please take a moment to watch this very short film from Igniter Media. It's worth it. <br />
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<a href="http://www.ignitermedia.com/products/3587-sounds-of-the-cross">Sounds of the Cross</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-11146017602486436692014-04-07T18:10:00.003-07:002014-05-31T15:12:21.196-07:00Across Five AprilNo, that's not a typographical error. It's a play on the novel titled 'Across Five Aprils'. A beautiful, sad story about the Civil War.<br />
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My title simply refers to the date, April 5th... and the vistas I was blessed to look 'Across' on that date while on a long, desert hike with my husband. The very best Saturday mornings are the ones we go exploring in the outdoors. I love it! (despite the potential bee swarms, scorpion stings, and rattle snakes!)
Spring is fast warming up and many blooms have now faded and set seed. But, new species are budding and blooming in their place. It was a breezy, puffy cloud dotted, blue sky day, which we thoroughly enjoyed. We estimate we hiked about 5 to 7 miles (maybe even more!), and we both took pictures to help capture the mornings loveliness. Here are a few of mine...
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiHNM7OQLEv5VzFfxiecjKD846VDV8ffZW_6dc4CUARV5Abcziuak0rj80mEJVxvREaid6J2_6p_PQnqcAsTEDUzQtHGIZqH3fRjLbaW_jeJx5cEF5f9UqwcJQgiu5Ufpw_iH2TwOzDI/s1600/IMG_7733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiHNM7OQLEv5VzFfxiecjKD846VDV8ffZW_6dc4CUARV5Abcziuak0rj80mEJVxvREaid6J2_6p_PQnqcAsTEDUzQtHGIZqH3fRjLbaW_jeJx5cEF5f9UqwcJQgiu5Ufpw_iH2TwOzDI/s1600/IMG_7733.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To make sure we got some 'exercise' out of our time, we headed up some steep hills. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzGjo_eh3TfSufKrmrwkDOKWztrVVGkMwH2PTDylVr-r1ngKMzNxNAD65hqGI_P0EJTQqB1k2GJPv8NzFoyBQcEyFXfvLp9LCru-ooEMsghQJCVzae2xu2Kkhs2tB8JIFGrgh5tZDAfc/s1600/IMG_7738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzGjo_eh3TfSufKrmrwkDOKWztrVVGkMwH2PTDylVr-r1ngKMzNxNAD65hqGI_P0EJTQqB1k2GJPv8NzFoyBQcEyFXfvLp9LCru-ooEMsghQJCVzae2xu2Kkhs2tB8JIFGrgh5tZDAfc/s1600/IMG_7738.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foreground rocks.. volcanic or granite? In the distance the Estrella mountain range.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bQUqUcAE8CnLZvjharYj8OtpNp-6_Z7V2vNWy23Y3Hi7S8btHZc-uCbvTsuNOsip8d88405fC_KCUq46fWoHEWnhdjFInvc98Ysew3p62Bwawjbri7wdjawLWzMZrFYC7v7nobadmSQ/s1600/IMG_7741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bQUqUcAE8CnLZvjharYj8OtpNp-6_Z7V2vNWy23Y3Hi7S8btHZc-uCbvTsuNOsip8d88405fC_KCUq46fWoHEWnhdjFInvc98Ysew3p62Bwawjbri7wdjawLWzMZrFYC7v7nobadmSQ/s1600/IMG_7741.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A blooming shrub I've finally been able to identify! Range Ratany (what on earth does that mean?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IG49J5w4xhycyvY5FnRRgOLAPbssPjsxoKIi9_JFO0eOuU1ykyM6jn8ndiVP4aPCwteKaN32BHbSvcM62OTnKx3RtAG_4CoAhpbuo9UkiPMq2I3XqdVoH3Rm6uxdOmE2hwAsearFA5s/s1600/IMG_7747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IG49J5w4xhycyvY5FnRRgOLAPbssPjsxoKIi9_JFO0eOuU1ykyM6jn8ndiVP4aPCwteKaN32BHbSvcM62OTnKx3RtAG_4CoAhpbuo9UkiPMq2I3XqdVoH3Rm6uxdOmE2hwAsearFA5s/s1600/IMG_7747.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A saguaro cactus mutation, these are rare to find.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUBt-Uyxt-L0XicQXjyAwlSc7M2buppTSx9UUyLqHZMB3apKSYPL6-9BvDXgMLta8SSVMyh_7KmXCqNjtWnV3HEty1ZWjcPIMizXwtidRDIa_iQU4PgcUvJIo0CsInWjmy9v1ilRSzz4/s1600/IMG_7752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUBt-Uyxt-L0XicQXjyAwlSc7M2buppTSx9UUyLqHZMB3apKSYPL6-9BvDXgMLta8SSVMyh_7KmXCqNjtWnV3HEty1ZWjcPIMizXwtidRDIa_iQU4PgcUvJIo0CsInWjmy9v1ilRSzz4/s1600/IMG_7752.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King of the hill. Soon after this was taken, he spotted a coyote scrambling into the wash.<br />
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The past several weeks I've hiked repeatedly through a less traveled canyon, and I have heard a single bird singing a beautiful call that I'd not heard before. Every time I have gotten close to where I might be able to identify the bird, she/he has gone quiet, or flown swiftly away to where I can't find him again. <br />
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But on this day, while Ron and I were out in an area we've never hiked before, I heard this same birdsong. Determined to id the singer, I slowly worked my way toward the singing and was able to use the nice zoom capabilities of my camera to spot and id him at last. :) I wondered if it were one of the many sparrows that live in the Sonoran, and I was right... it turned out to be the black-throated sparrow. This is the first time I've seen one, he sang and sang, even when I'm sure he noticed me creeping up. I only managed to get one shot of him in focus... through the limbs of an old dead tree.<br />
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(You can hear his sweet song here; <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-throated_Sparrow/sounds">http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-throated_Sparrow/sounds</a> )<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVerxPfn3nypGzsFLVdFnq93SeqSaLjqBPNfPXk7QK4BucLyy7ZsOI6APthakGIYQd4Om-5h2w3bCR4OT4ZetJgdM5Nv5GzwAKbc-wW_xs1tXY0nJzLDNQv7o6CYsIuCkASZ2NGOQLXA0/s1600/IMG_7769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVerxPfn3nypGzsFLVdFnq93SeqSaLjqBPNfPXk7QK4BucLyy7ZsOI6APthakGIYQd4Om-5h2w3bCR4OT4ZetJgdM5Nv5GzwAKbc-wW_xs1tXY0nJzLDNQv7o6CYsIuCkASZ2NGOQLXA0/s1600/IMG_7769.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black throated sparrow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIGnCo6g_IrBtEsDfob1tnldFe3NbW2UAEJxwNXXvrntULRcAlf8gpOdMfMuhxsTPQEQKk88ElvXpjQME1l2HtuSxEtYt37q-MJylBSZvELgxpMVVxUxe97VJpHFYXIPPDacZevzAqWA/s1600/IMG_7783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIGnCo6g_IrBtEsDfob1tnldFe3NbW2UAEJxwNXXvrntULRcAlf8gpOdMfMuhxsTPQEQKk88ElvXpjQME1l2HtuSxEtYt37q-MJylBSZvELgxpMVVxUxe97VJpHFYXIPPDacZevzAqWA/s1600/IMG_7783.JPG" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fully open blossom of the Teddy-bear Cholla. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6quNugWUfhl0iddwZ3Q0dw-VWCWbmoxbjL-NQdevIp0rpkdgaQIBRQAw7BRqpM4n_JJ0zpjmrxQSVxJMtn-KFoNmZd2vj9AGAR8X8MSJwXPwpK04CMa8LcFbJWAYby3zUWINTPKVjKU/s1600/IMG_7773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6quNugWUfhl0iddwZ3Q0dw-VWCWbmoxbjL-NQdevIp0rpkdgaQIBRQAw7BRqpM4n_JJ0zpjmrxQSVxJMtn-KFoNmZd2vj9AGAR8X8MSJwXPwpK04CMa8LcFbJWAYby3zUWINTPKVjKU/s1600/IMG_7773.JPG" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first open blooms I've seen this year on a Saguaro. The buds have appeared so quickly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy8RN7YvtFwwOfEH-avvWiTSO7kIIvRgOzi91gLEdXjkaxzgjHJufk4MvXanHNUP1ItbpQvv-IP6xyzbP_TQQYWxpHHMVe_7l-0MZF6J5M8hKKKWkx5RoAGU6djkesKbDMQTVwQZk59E/s1600/IMG_7802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy8RN7YvtFwwOfEH-avvWiTSO7kIIvRgOzi91gLEdXjkaxzgjHJufk4MvXanHNUP1ItbpQvv-IP6xyzbP_TQQYWxpHHMVe_7l-0MZF6J5M8hKKKWkx5RoAGU6djkesKbDMQTVwQZk59E/s1600/IMG_7802.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colors of flaming ocotillo and a distant palo verde's yellow flowers. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSf4lT-eoBir2dBnRN8VR2JWCfhW0pa6z6st8QapCt3aCsuue1VhFN179la7YDzQZCNwJAMUXikfx4HZkMtzjMrfde3YLvtPVERJ1vCZfwGhtWwhDVCtB7bVYYbcoF0-UaheQfn3V_II/s1600/IMG_7770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSf4lT-eoBir2dBnRN8VR2JWCfhW0pa6z6st8QapCt3aCsuue1VhFN179la7YDzQZCNwJAMUXikfx4HZkMtzjMrfde3YLvtPVERJ1vCZfwGhtWwhDVCtB7bVYYbcoF0-UaheQfn3V_II/s1600/IMG_7770.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soon the blooms will be parched by the summer heat... but even a desert plants bones hold beauty! </td></tr>
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In the backyard our wild sunflowers are blooming madly and providing a feast for the local goldfinch community... precisely why I gathered seeds and planted them! :) <div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have a sunshiney, bright daisy kind of May 31st! </td></tr>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-12901502366049769712014-03-29T18:07:00.002-07:002014-03-29T18:10:23.180-07:00Colored Pencil WoesI continue to work on the lessons from the online course about drawing birds in colored pencil. I have decided I really dislike one aspect of this medium intensely. The propensity for colored pencil leads (the pigment actually, no lead involved!) to break when being sharpened. No matter how carefully I sharpen or which sharpening technique I use, once the pencil's creamy center snaps, it continues to put forth broken bits of color. This media is fretfully fragile, and at $2 per pencil that is a lot of money down the drain when a pencil repeatedly breaks when sharpening. A major problem being that often the 'lead' can be cracked within the shaft because of improper handling, prior to purchasing. I don't improperly handle my pencils, but who knows what they went through at the manufacturing plant, their travels or how they were handled in the store. Open stock pencils, in particular may have been dropped on concrete floors by previous customers and I would have no way of knowing this when purchasing. After this class, I will not likely use them in a way that would require repeatedly purchasing more. It's a shame because if I could be certain a pencil is sound, I enjoy the marks they make.<br />
<br />
Any who...<br />
<br />
Here are the latest sketches done...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gg6BxixaY4_IoOcYsNv6GhnaRr0K-bZv-gC_I7agqoq5g4aFuuBw4ksbPCBp5d5nPO_j_mbpB4U0BN_2MbivSbkRwyd0NbfsldCx7XMwsltOI5e4nkkrVaIvG7wgj5-nXLLe8LiRKfU/s1600/IMG_7711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gg6BxixaY4_IoOcYsNv6GhnaRr0K-bZv-gC_I7agqoq5g4aFuuBw4ksbPCBp5d5nPO_j_mbpB4U0BN_2MbivSbkRwyd0NbfsldCx7XMwsltOI5e4nkkrVaIvG7wgj5-nXLLe8LiRKfU/s1600/IMG_7711.JPG" height="351" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only good Grackle is a drawn one. No mess, no noise, no displacing of our native species! ;) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1cpGcHKkWORkEml7Ni03uPA7-baBg_8nilulhSpMvI6alftU3CqDcUZJ1RJ31M3h6USMoNuujBln2zrxeQZJvbf2KtxL4-Whqzk3sAb5wj_Khq9qi5RDQPVdoGYUX8EpY7Usu-1wyXY/s1600/IMG_7713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1cpGcHKkWORkEml7Ni03uPA7-baBg_8nilulhSpMvI6alftU3CqDcUZJ1RJ31M3h6USMoNuujBln2zrxeQZJvbf2KtxL4-Whqzk3sAb5wj_Khq9qi5RDQPVdoGYUX8EpY7Usu-1wyXY/s1600/IMG_7713.JPG" height="305" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were supposed to draw a mockingbird egg, but I didn't have a clear reference photo, so opted for the Quail. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next up, the lesson I've most looked forward to... the nest! :) Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-27418523124463004952014-03-27T20:37:00.001-07:002014-03-28T07:32:57.277-07:00R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Find out what it means to me)R - RUN... for you life!<br />
E - ESCAPE... the worst death you've imagined!<br />
S - STOP! ...Wait! Is running the wrong choice?!<br />
P - PANIC and PRAY! <br />
E - Exhale<br />
C - Control my pounding heart!<br />
T - Thanks giving for being spared the worst death I could imagine.<br />
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That's what it means to me, today anyway. <br />
<br />
It's easy to forget that in this beautiful desert I enjoy so much, there lurks some true danger. Today I had a brief brush with a threatening situation. <br />
<br />
I decided I wanted to get my exercise in, even though it was no longer morning, when I usually hit the trails. It was nearly 1pm, but there was such a nice cool breeze today, I didn't mind. I headed to the open desert and took the long, mostly level loop and decided to jog to get my heart rate up, sweat and burn some calories! (Mellow Mushroom pizza and fiery margaritas from the night before must be dealt with!) About halfway around the loop, I stopped for a sip of water... of course I had my camera in my little pack and there just happened to be some fresh golden blooms on the cholla, so I snapped some photos. After a few more photos and walking a minute more, I put the camera away and started to jog again, I was just making the turn toward the south when I noticed the view to the west, toward the distant Estrella mountain range, was particularly pretty today. Scattered clouds, saguaro, orange-red blossoming ocotillo and hazy atmosphere... I stopped and considered getting the camera back out...nah! I'll just take it in with my eyes for a moment.<br />
<br />
<br />
That's when I noticed a low humming sound coming directly toward me from the west... it sounded like a well running motor of some kind, immediately I realized there are no roads in that direction for many miles...wha? OH, it could be a swarm of BEES!!! (This here is prime Africanized or 'killer' bee territory, by the way!) This thought process took all of two seconds, the sound was growing considerably louder and I could just make out a low fuzzy blob flying toward me at a good clip...definitely bees!! That's when the 'R' and 'E' clicked in and I began a few hurried steps, which is when the 'S' came to mind... wait, Africanized bees relentlessly ATTACK noisy moving objects! I stopped in my tracks with the bees yards away and coming fast... the 'P' happened here along with visions of my swollen, unrecognizable carcass being discovered on the trail. I watched the large hazy mass become individual, buzzing, bullet-sized ovals, zoom straight at me, then over me by about 5 to 10 feet, and past.... Thus quickly followed the 'C' and 'T'. <br />
<br />
Have I mentioned I am freakishly afraid of bees and wasps? Now, an individual little honey bee, busy collecting pollen, I've learned to appreciate, but a bomber bee, whizzing around quickly, will sorely test my ability to control an urge to flail wildly, scream, run headlong into trees, walls, pools, people or whatever happens to be in the path of my frenzied freak-out spasm... I am able to control that impulse about half the time. Just ask my kids. I have confessed that I'd rather be in a room full of rattlesnakes than with one mad bee or wasp, and I mean it. I'm insane like that. <br />
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So today, by God's providence I escaped the death of my nightmares, as these swarming bees were too intent on keeping the Queen surrounded than with going after that odd jerking thing in turquoise shorts.<br />
<br />
Hallelujah! <br />
<br />
<br />
On relaying this tale to my husband tonight, he informed me you are ALWAYS
supposed to run from swarming bees (note to self, discard 'S') ...well I'm pretty darn sure I would have if
they had begun to descend on me...at least until they rendered me
blind. Shudder! He did say they seldom attack when they are on the move like this. Phew. It was over a mile, through open desert, no shelter in sight, before I would have reached the safety of my car. <br />
<br />
Now with that pretty picture in your mind,
here are the pictures, taken a few minutes before, while I was oblivious
to the brush with danger I was about to encounter. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7x9Eu8FTAWHQ-x9Q3AG8MmCmzGhWPdhVIy3sLGxif1UaMxb0EFcEeXVz2toXn9oEgnht2NfUFeFZ3EaGc0yOHDL96Zppn6wr3SJ7MVQRHC_2ScvQJcIaYV_8KsmvYXrlZmtxqXb5M3fM/s1600/IMG_7682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7x9Eu8FTAWHQ-x9Q3AG8MmCmzGhWPdhVIy3sLGxif1UaMxb0EFcEeXVz2toXn9oEgnht2NfUFeFZ3EaGc0yOHDL96Zppn6wr3SJ7MVQRHC_2ScvQJcIaYV_8KsmvYXrlZmtxqXb5M3fM/s1600/IMG_7682.JPG" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a gorgeous day, 'la la la, la la'!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1TanWzetDbpTXrxmBgqjFQU26BtIRCmDsKCD8mP5tyh8bC3bPg6x4_xlbbGKzRiEjwgevFE05FHCNAKFK51TFzvX2kt8O4kV7SUHIJnVEgTkAVkpwPK3BsvRrbaFZuadVFVRJmOpUIE/s1600/IMG_7685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1TanWzetDbpTXrxmBgqjFQU26BtIRCmDsKCD8mP5tyh8bC3bPg6x4_xlbbGKzRiEjwgevFE05FHCNAKFK51TFzvX2kt8O4kV7SUHIJnVEgTkAVkpwPK3BsvRrbaFZuadVFVRJmOpUIE/s1600/IMG_7685.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooooh, pretty. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8ntLDNOdnz2P59bbOXprhlIjTd2i5XIgQIoc8T7gqOVPl4KuDJUHTNqmNcx1bjj0V7qIAhylIKO5-uVBvLBol3jRg_FegyRnNEuZDnxRnye_R-nmk-HAC1HEHP9MRMc73BTQD2a0nz4/s1600/IMG_7693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8ntLDNOdnz2P59bbOXprhlIjTd2i5XIgQIoc8T7gqOVPl4KuDJUHTNqmNcx1bjj0V7qIAhylIKO5-uVBvLBol3jRg_FegyRnNEuZDnxRnye_R-nmk-HAC1HEHP9MRMc73BTQD2a0nz4/s1600/IMG_7693.JPG" height="317" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shucks, that little bee buzzed off before I could snap his portrait!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTMboBEnzbXB1tbAM2XJMO8AGi60Z92HkAJ1GYJQNmAfIyqGX_2F6rR0uHXqGOUte0WrWV8lzu20x8tfOpkDW6RSv9H0pfjyMFwn__CFx7rowPsO6tENTXtJ-R716eRRUmcp7zcYh4ys/s1600/IMG_7688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTMboBEnzbXB1tbAM2XJMO8AGi60Z92HkAJ1GYJQNmAfIyqGX_2F6rR0uHXqGOUte0WrWV8lzu20x8tfOpkDW6RSv9H0pfjyMFwn__CFx7rowPsO6tENTXtJ-R716eRRUmcp7zcYh4ys/s1600/IMG_7688.JPG" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7WWjVeL6Hj7NVT8_j4BdXdR3A7365Cyzt7XZQtUuH8eQw-qs9M8fcZb0gZEjigqseUuVLgp-g8fAqayt4a5T8TRcqejMDJWmM53f7NgugUxR3hh9he71qfhTXlDC7N8bGSvUxIyZikA/s1600/IMG_7691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7WWjVeL6Hj7NVT8_j4BdXdR3A7365Cyzt7XZQtUuH8eQw-qs9M8fcZb0gZEjigqseUuVLgp-g8fAqayt4a5T8TRcqejMDJWmM53f7NgugUxR3hh9he71qfhTXlDC7N8bGSvUxIyZikA/s1600/IMG_7691.JPG" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The desert can be so tranquil and lovely... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7bWcY9Sl7JrO0hu07HAXqRZnW1NWXGydoNpctFzIOVrl73ao76aZNUh-EHgdqNnM_ICmJXJ91P4eBdM1Y8B9Y4TTL3H4JvZn3vArB_6lbfo0FCkm9hcN3dfeh1PIxfZdC0GZPBTqN8s/s1600/IMG_7697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7bWcY9Sl7JrO0hu07HAXqRZnW1NWXGydoNpctFzIOVrl73ao76aZNUh-EHgdqNnM_ICmJXJ91P4eBdM1Y8B9Y4TTL3H4JvZn3vArB_6lbfo0FCkm9hcN3dfeh1PIxfZdC0GZPBTqN8s/s1600/IMG_7697.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice contrast with the cactus bones!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-prO8uDZSL-G4M9MWIv8_OBevXFcilJBpP9RZWswMYsp9rL_GLMy6ewtW80ZRILBKiYCVf9LfbCv5oDHl8KpH9CjulYD6OtnRkj4kTKeQ9LYJlW6oLnk3fRw01IrCBWG6QVA13Cmb-0/s1600/IMG_7700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-prO8uDZSL-G4M9MWIv8_OBevXFcilJBpP9RZWswMYsp9rL_GLMy6ewtW80ZRILBKiYCVf9LfbCv5oDHl8KpH9CjulYD6OtnRkj4kTKeQ9LYJlW6oLnk3fRw01IrCBWG6QVA13Cmb-0/s1600/IMG_7700.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good thing I wasn't wearing this color... wouldn't want that swarm to think 'hey look at the giant cactus flower! Let's check it out!!' ;) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Sweet dreams!!<br />
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-26418699327305265592014-03-22T14:20:00.001-07:002014-03-22T14:20:31.160-07:00Sonoran Spring continues at the DBGThat would be the Desert Botanical Garden. A place I love and try to visit as often as possible. Spring there is glorious! (for best viewing of photos, click on them to enlarge, then view as slide show) <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7K6SDTy42KQAiXeOC_crJHFyYo6DKodEXXOTwcH_6FZm7gzAko03YZHhcTmTFfv7rtlhY4awl0H9lDr5KRL8ohsAj0b3lh24Yr_JV8xipSZJE6kwC0YBUYhJXKvr0L5g3yF65EtFo18/s1600/IMG_7215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7K6SDTy42KQAiXeOC_crJHFyYo6DKodEXXOTwcH_6FZm7gzAko03YZHhcTmTFfv7rtlhY4awl0H9lDr5KRL8ohsAj0b3lh24Yr_JV8xipSZJE6kwC0YBUYhJXKvr0L5g3yF65EtFo18/s1600/IMG_7215.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 'hover craft' bee in the wildflower garden. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqolLjxSQKIW1DpwHr8LQ3YO1WDjFwJRUqZtcDJ9n2gJF-VlMbnxSUE7uQ2B-PqOPQdp-ggNpIDMYKglksOxtS0PzCl0ibcblFseGiqdkQQRSkk1t0Tu0Z_zQICEswIYH8r4iIx3Yv2J0/s1600/IMG_7224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqolLjxSQKIW1DpwHr8LQ3YO1WDjFwJRUqZtcDJ9n2gJF-VlMbnxSUE7uQ2B-PqOPQdp-ggNpIDMYKglksOxtS0PzCl0ibcblFseGiqdkQQRSkk1t0Tu0Z_zQICEswIYH8r4iIx3Yv2J0/s1600/IMG_7224.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">red globe mallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3an0NEVvPBOtGP1tHOCY9DS94I4F-ySAEsRAzzqzbS1jImGjuQJf2INXSc7R9Pk_mwuG_wQEKOc9HeahTB2k1aWsw2qClFciwDdv0L5Vg8FPXdRxP3UiktVhgVEp23nvK2eUlQ9Gofs/s1600/IMG_7233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3an0NEVvPBOtGP1tHOCY9DS94I4F-ySAEsRAzzqzbS1jImGjuQJf2INXSc7R9Pk_mwuG_wQEKOc9HeahTB2k1aWsw2qClFciwDdv0L5Vg8FPXdRxP3UiktVhgVEp23nvK2eUlQ9Gofs/s1600/IMG_7233.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Papago through blooming desert. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuypOrdC-qJjvXgDfB3SeBivqeF6ULOmm5RwCVeog3o0AQG_RQ7sUE7ublC5ur_hkTGjwtpJzRc1le66d5mlSIcUWHUrsvuhDmqSbcL1pxbk6ez7gNpItGublRPHe1zYQ0SJ-kgIYcYdw/s1600/IMG_7236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuypOrdC-qJjvXgDfB3SeBivqeF6ULOmm5RwCVeog3o0AQG_RQ7sUE7ublC5ur_hkTGjwtpJzRc1le66d5mlSIcUWHUrsvuhDmqSbcL1pxbk6ez7gNpItGublRPHe1zYQ0SJ-kgIYcYdw/s1600/IMG_7236.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cholla cactus buds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm_81XAkVzjx9a2aJTt_ENXbNpen84uFkl_jsBlyVi5htPtl_3bWpQ-QdN_uQuWbBor1YCsI1n2cjybeYN0Ogc95BEtlJ1fppeIQYGjy_AUJTplut6DGbmeoR15BNW5LcsfvKJx1Wd_0/s1600/IMG_7237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm_81XAkVzjx9a2aJTt_ENXbNpen84uFkl_jsBlyVi5htPtl_3bWpQ-QdN_uQuWbBor1YCsI1n2cjybeYN0Ogc95BEtlJ1fppeIQYGjy_AUJTplut6DGbmeoR15BNW5LcsfvKJx1Wd_0/s1600/IMG_7237.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMeqkLaXyEVbYc6QupGyueVgHJD_AvR75uag_bspitGNXrpusmbshjhzIVkiQTgIO98EeU32Wf9eoWoHa2Kz-16IyoJ7lHcUxu50VZZqeehAhhKl-M4b2mxpvA6S6tiifV6W5hdHj3SU/s1600/IMG_7254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMeqkLaXyEVbYc6QupGyueVgHJD_AvR75uag_bspitGNXrpusmbshjhzIVkiQTgIO98EeU32Wf9eoWoHa2Kz-16IyoJ7lHcUxu50VZZqeehAhhKl-M4b2mxpvA6S6tiifV6W5hdHj3SU/s1600/IMG_7254.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Phainopepla (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhpFVHkR4pt45oXIgIR0NY8AoUdfdhRo4KzmVjbO23GW-4cyUPn69ihFmOEaecteAJILUPcLJmI8pXG3Oj9YztfyUS_K2K7MrrkFUOV-joR8-842EZMMp26opY4Z9maPRoJci3tk3rHs/s1600/IMG_7260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhpFVHkR4pt45oXIgIR0NY8AoUdfdhRo4KzmVjbO23GW-4cyUPn69ihFmOEaecteAJILUPcLJmI8pXG3Oj9YztfyUS_K2K7MrrkFUOV-joR8-842EZMMp26opY4Z9maPRoJci3tk3rHs/s1600/IMG_7260.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feathers for the nest, black tailed gnat catcher (I think!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXSMQm0bFgX9DEGIeoN4ovEqhLbC-xeCCawX5_QIpgXnSSGRdscPSz0AflAopGHk2QOWEXYbOpd9BWN-f-BTGUk738oEgVUo1MsqWrb5wweH9SXy4xI2ylFRtLFbGO5M60iC8x59ys7o/s1600/IMG_7274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXSMQm0bFgX9DEGIeoN4ovEqhLbC-xeCCawX5_QIpgXnSSGRdscPSz0AflAopGHk2QOWEXYbOpd9BWN-f-BTGUk738oEgVUo1MsqWrb5wweH9SXy4xI2ylFRtLFbGO5M60iC8x59ys7o/s1600/IMG_7274.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Mountain Laurel (which smells like grape kool-aid)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jJfI_lGhUbR4I5MvgUtnupYxjJ84CjDqCLAYTtk37SDqmgZ1Rexz8jiHI6nDjRwbAUT8SI23qsH1M-PzP6BHi4wnd92-SeEEuTI9XQDuAe0gKtG7p1LuLqsCUeeC0T8Ncfx__Lk5RIw/s1600/IMG_7279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jJfI_lGhUbR4I5MvgUtnupYxjJ84CjDqCLAYTtk37SDqmgZ1Rexz8jiHI6nDjRwbAUT8SI23qsH1M-PzP6BHi4wnd92-SeEEuTI9XQDuAe0gKtG7p1LuLqsCUeeC0T8Ncfx__Lk5RIw/s1600/IMG_7279.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite tree at the DBG, a Chlean Palo Verde.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPu7lo4Kukxps1SoFVQR-qcnAo1f-y20O9fYUBrT3aBWW7TRUhwNBzI13r7ihNzt4jigFCtkLd_xcjB2ckMW5TL-DzTooVDiohKbacTN-iTzthbm1D3lh9Mha53QBOQOVeBOk-B8wWqHQ/s1600/IMG_7284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPu7lo4Kukxps1SoFVQR-qcnAo1f-y20O9fYUBrT3aBWW7TRUhwNBzI13r7ihNzt4jigFCtkLd_xcjB2ckMW5TL-DzTooVDiohKbacTN-iTzthbm1D3lh9Mha53QBOQOVeBOk-B8wWqHQ/s1600/IMG_7284.JPG" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every branch is covered in yellow sweetness each spring. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5EkpaV1ImLnINmTa_sdWPoiw766B6M8gFyPeRXkrVSul7HmkocAenAZ2ifVnMRnavnFlNMxqpaioGXS7m5GtvOViClaABvM0rUy3iq7msoCWEHW_UL0UXheDjYVafYmxIBOn_Skv-mE/s1600/IMG_7290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5EkpaV1ImLnINmTa_sdWPoiw766B6M8gFyPeRXkrVSul7HmkocAenAZ2ifVnMRnavnFlNMxqpaioGXS7m5GtvOViClaABvM0rUy3iq7msoCWEHW_UL0UXheDjYVafYmxIBOn_Skv-mE/s1600/IMG_7290.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bees favor it too! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-50901574498478415242014-03-21T03:29:00.000-07:002014-03-28T06:42:46.943-07:002:30 amIt's 2:30 am, the mocking bird and I cannot sleep. Perhaps he knows spring is too brief to slumber this cool early morn away. Plenty of time to escape to dreams when the temperature remains above 100 degrees 24 hours a day, soon. <br />
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As I'm wide awake, I will process and post more of spring's glorious flora, fauna and fabulously clear blue skies... God's gifts to our desert, and I like to think, to me! <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe4eBzpuciBVLyqdeTlyYb7z0LqjVbj4fQBjNynkQiMZt53uURlAP2jgsv92HO-WR1xwzL6fSip2suKWC2JvckpOZzX2gpBS1Ge4OrmlYnFFurFLlwTYnWZ9aiU05yPPDN9v_inXNoPQ/s1600/IMG_7026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMe4eBzpuciBVLyqdeTlyYb7z0LqjVbj4fQBjNynkQiMZt53uURlAP2jgsv92HO-WR1xwzL6fSip2suKWC2JvckpOZzX2gpBS1Ge4OrmlYnFFurFLlwTYnWZ9aiU05yPPDN9v_inXNoPQ/s1600/IMG_7026.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cholla buds</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0_IsebMnuXNevZJIPDd_MWt7qpoxmkhLmiNzzNy9nI_ycQJ7ZFAjt9nrp1x6LQPjhp4OHv6KzXehm1noKi1B80sG34NU7hfw9b2NpPPX_HgF8ct9OYRLkgmP6RmZTFWnbuscX5F9H0k/s1600/IMG_7031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0_IsebMnuXNevZJIPDd_MWt7qpoxmkhLmiNzzNy9nI_ycQJ7ZFAjt9nrp1x6LQPjhp4OHv6KzXehm1noKi1B80sG34NU7hfw9b2NpPPX_HgF8ct9OYRLkgmP6RmZTFWnbuscX5F9H0k/s1600/IMG_7031.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocotillo buds</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vn7ltgS8VO6cMKL2HSQBPOZoP99TDxUSAs096b2xfNVGWdfZ4wKA7fM4mQpTZUo0h9ROGADDrOdGT9i6tHjaFCVSUmnKhXvqFmlQdFjfzldC6X4wo5JbAsfw4RPWZgdSCM3r1LzsLPU/s1600/IMG_7034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vn7ltgS8VO6cMKL2HSQBPOZoP99TDxUSAs096b2xfNVGWdfZ4wKA7fM4mQpTZUo0h9ROGADDrOdGT9i6tHjaFCVSUmnKhXvqFmlQdFjfzldC6X4wo5JbAsfw4RPWZgdSCM3r1LzsLPU/s1600/IMG_7034.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocotillo BUGs ;) (cute little guy!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1ka5SFnTzJH0HB7dSnpTnj2Pv7JRPcoC5XqXJrLs-K5b3SNXxjaIfbvfYXrpMlFzYQvH7GooI6X4aHVK9LacRpteExFkSg9WEfC4_zJj5wKbY5R99Zm2pBz3LQ0XvRGSCowllGpR66U/s1600/IMG_7055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1ka5SFnTzJH0HB7dSnpTnj2Pv7JRPcoC5XqXJrLs-K5b3SNXxjaIfbvfYXrpMlFzYQvH7GooI6X4aHVK9LacRpteExFkSg9WEfC4_zJj5wKbY5R99Zm2pBz3LQ0XvRGSCowllGpR66U/s1600/IMG_7055.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curved-bill thrasher singing in Spring</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSFbyeEi7fr2b6yy0IgQa7IX2qUPWnuv7J3lC44G04X0J0QkvQPeUR0W3Zxpxp5J8FV6FPNmBE4NIHCpT8svHiyFwwYGXPJFYjbPwJmm2679oYVMW5PMk1IbHWyty_C4N3D8rahP28dw/s1600/IMG_7058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSFbyeEi7fr2b6yy0IgQa7IX2qUPWnuv7J3lC44G04X0J0QkvQPeUR0W3Zxpxp5J8FV6FPNmBE4NIHCpT8svHiyFwwYGXPJFYjbPwJmm2679oYVMW5PMk1IbHWyty_C4N3D8rahP28dw/s1600/IMG_7058.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First cactus flower found this year. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIZlEsNBMuZp5vunFmljIS05loB1W6j5-kbWtztK43brI4ImwLboJ6iPq_iox6QBlkh5TdUDsC3TzYo-OApcdBtPnlgl0YLvvkGNlD4A7DkmKDLDM5aqiMsR6EOXtw8ilwfzi9Ln3npQ/s1600/IMG_7083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIZlEsNBMuZp5vunFmljIS05loB1W6j5-kbWtztK43brI4ImwLboJ6iPq_iox6QBlkh5TdUDsC3TzYo-OApcdBtPnlgl0YLvvkGNlD4A7DkmKDLDM5aqiMsR6EOXtw8ilwfzi9Ln3npQ/s1600/IMG_7083.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small field of Coulter's Globe Mallow (not the same as the shrub)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7bqxlKQin9maxwyWDMXg3q7Pr04x-Fc21D_wDYH0aWfhmBXe9H4fYqJa1bT0_CkKQ-jgnkEaHf-APlSeSEPLaBd5Fpy2ILDkmHw1SEF7FPzrljo6fpVxvVVAOn2FHGfMS6okqxh41Tg/s1600/IMG_7089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7bqxlKQin9maxwyWDMXg3q7Pr04x-Fc21D_wDYH0aWfhmBXe9H4fYqJa1bT0_CkKQ-jgnkEaHf-APlSeSEPLaBd5Fpy2ILDkmHw1SEF7FPzrljo6fpVxvVVAOn2FHGfMS6okqxh41Tg/s1600/IMG_7089.JPG" height="400" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee for perspective on size of Coulter's mallow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaM3jAe7c_pUbOryD4sdrrvIUMiOe1T89GrXomCGylUQoWZszYBJ-UwoVps11maH5jzTsV7pdj8ogoSkl_hfoviUfToDVsCDTqc5IwvrOt0BjAxEV3RsWgPx8JGKPzRcv5DeJ6Ksw0V4/s1600/IMG_7092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaM3jAe7c_pUbOryD4sdrrvIUMiOe1T89GrXomCGylUQoWZszYBJ-UwoVps11maH5jzTsV7pdj8ogoSkl_hfoviUfToDVsCDTqc5IwvrOt0BjAxEV3RsWgPx8JGKPzRcv5DeJ6Ksw0V4/s1600/IMG_7092.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round tail ground squirrel. I've seen more of these this year than ever before on S. Mt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdXFlxcJe1fkJ_OeUrksr1yZ5oUxSOetIgiDRmtRLdhNbCwsfCnaNKA1fviXl-rfhOC1PmYY_SPwbzzE1Tcpdl4m6V5ZYa4DxPAPQIhOiecavARw2AJPWymK4vOZ121d4FXio5RBZm_k/s1600/IMG_7113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdXFlxcJe1fkJ_OeUrksr1yZ5oUxSOetIgiDRmtRLdhNbCwsfCnaNKA1fviXl-rfhOC1PmYY_SPwbzzE1Tcpdl4m6V5ZYa4DxPAPQIhOiecavARw2AJPWymK4vOZ121d4FXio5RBZm_k/s1600/IMG_7113.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My happy trails, on a brilliantly clear day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEe21UN_ya42oTFjlVlLSe6BK7q2yM3JtVQcZcmkHN0LKMWGl1_qTDO9MHG8Yy-zg3TgVE-nb2oix8pvuEdzVJygpBaqu5dcCM-N6bmnuAp-gFWV-K6P88eBFsV2PHY12VbGS2ZEbDiQ/s1600/IMG_7122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEe21UN_ya42oTFjlVlLSe6BK7q2yM3JtVQcZcmkHN0LKMWGl1_qTDO9MHG8Yy-zg3TgVE-nb2oix8pvuEdzVJygpBaqu5dcCM-N6bmnuAp-gFWV-K6P88eBFsV2PHY12VbGS2ZEbDiQ/s1600/IMG_7122.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry hedgehog cactus in bloom</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-qvk0RLRhbH9yg3EhicGyzuovEybIAlAvNS869Bt0QO6i74ymmfbe0shUp62bXtUsKwI0MU7lf8C0r6pfgJqw_s9imFLxQmTwrkPo5U6wgdcG5DMmKu_VKYBoeI3QOWq3y5Ff64mAbw/s1600/IMG_7123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-qvk0RLRhbH9yg3EhicGyzuovEybIAlAvNS869Bt0QO6i74ymmfbe0shUp62bXtUsKwI0MU7lf8C0r6pfgJqw_s9imFLxQmTwrkPo5U6wgdcG5DMmKu_VKYBoeI3QOWq3y5Ff64mAbw/s1600/IMG_7123.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztfQdfpHQOrMc8yQxi73JplG3uy6Kn36Sey7LX1CrMdjxiAfrsOFK9qm4_ziNllhDcEvny1sTnU699Fxjbm7MQgTGUEP-yzXLsWMTdAdahwUg6gux1fbEabWO5pK9tknXz_R6fEH0Tr0/s1600/IMG_7131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztfQdfpHQOrMc8yQxi73JplG3uy6Kn36Sey7LX1CrMdjxiAfrsOFK9qm4_ziNllhDcEvny1sTnU699Fxjbm7MQgTGUEP-yzXLsWMTdAdahwUg6gux1fbEabWO5pK9tknXz_R6fEH0Tr0/s1600/IMG_7131.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny blossoms on unknown wildflower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDov6Ilo-Vx6d1o5DkqwRIgFVHXIpc3BQ4UX9EczkybahlaF9jW52XUxcx2pT1m3Blcy-UzobKUnq9lAwo_sgAvg2qxxG1M6NcxgShppG3iEGHYutn7R7qhSxmB1g8n9v3qUPZYGnVJI/s1600/IMG_7134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDov6Ilo-Vx6d1o5DkqwRIgFVHXIpc3BQ4UX9EczkybahlaF9jW52XUxcx2pT1m3Blcy-UzobKUnq9lAwo_sgAvg2qxxG1M6NcxgShppG3iEGHYutn7R7qhSxmB1g8n9v3qUPZYGnVJI/s1600/IMG_7134.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Westerly view of the Estrella mountain range.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzF0N-erpAHcoINuY8ybWyE3MUt_iHsNCP0Fr5SjkH_-eq3tYYatWYoW_GQqa4Bb4zO7PxX9hVPKhmw0ndObsMkc_BjwawrRykVPXH5PRkVX-Gj95aiXx5LwcMIEq2SqiGfUrgd838RKM/s1600/IMG_7141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzF0N-erpAHcoINuY8ybWyE3MUt_iHsNCP0Fr5SjkH_-eq3tYYatWYoW_GQqa4Bb4zO7PxX9hVPKhmw0ndObsMkc_BjwawrRykVPXH5PRkVX-Gj95aiXx5LwcMIEq2SqiGfUrgd838RKM/s1600/IMG_7141.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqYaXgXkoYK0wvXd16Moyqri0CPxEQt_KHiUnXVhVrvKfFZZ_2lvpr9ClnK14v-oWLsLrUmo1d3DAfrsdjhr6bWlIwt5ruUAxv4M0JLyTDYf8mUN4KilnTPel6xVRb_QYP-376YyYk4c/s1600/IMG_7146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqYaXgXkoYK0wvXd16Moyqri0CPxEQt_KHiUnXVhVrvKfFZZ_2lvpr9ClnK14v-oWLsLrUmo1d3DAfrsdjhr6bWlIwt5ruUAxv4M0JLyTDYf8mUN4KilnTPel6xVRb_QYP-376YyYk4c/s1600/IMG_7146.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easterly view toward Four Peaks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">honey bee on globe mallow (bush) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtaosX25kwF14qa0rvBqTskMzaz1ydETNzQnXepDJmdbLxdJc0xctLRMkYBVEwy3954yd1QKBg86sn_4BDm-Nvf_q20MybtL2cctMvpJ9sfasStaNj9HqHVLMQpVM4ToYAmFQopU7IwY/s1600/IMG_7170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtaosX25kwF14qa0rvBqTskMzaz1ydETNzQnXepDJmdbLxdJc0xctLRMkYBVEwy3954yd1QKBg86sn_4BDm-Nvf_q20MybtL2cctMvpJ9sfasStaNj9HqHVLMQpVM4ToYAmFQopU7IwY/s1600/IMG_7170.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOwc4bZk6DzqAhMHMYrF-eSMVOpex14FqD-Ch0_7acObyOCO6JngoJBRXqKSkkGieJlWVDYSw3C1PsWvtgB01Zw34cfPb7AhUyMPTAfK21wkfW1w-yriT66TY5iCscviAYQK-JxXv09A/s1600/IMG_7188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOwc4bZk6DzqAhMHMYrF-eSMVOpex14FqD-Ch0_7acObyOCO6JngoJBRXqKSkkGieJlWVDYSw3C1PsWvtgB01Zw34cfPb7AhUyMPTAfK21wkfW1w-yriT66TY5iCscviAYQK-JxXv09A/s1600/IMG_7188.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Gambel's quail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2IRL_a6Adqv0P_wkgD0_ABkqoW6E37FraUeJn-yvCtdIN9ROkGHlKqoQGd9jzkofsM0zNQ27E0pDCLQkVL1zcO-vgf384JCsapHr7eWfXXCH0XpOjJ4-yck3gaQLJ-11NscCNjpw_Qw/s1600/IMG_7200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2IRL_a6Adqv0P_wkgD0_ABkqoW6E37FraUeJn-yvCtdIN9ROkGHlKqoQGd9jzkofsM0zNQ27E0pDCLQkVL1zcO-vgf384JCsapHr7eWfXXCH0XpOjJ4-yck3gaQLJ-11NscCNjpw_Qw/s1600/IMG_7200.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Easter Bonnet blooms, very small! </td></tr>
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-6056048367090601252014-03-20T12:52:00.002-07:002016-03-19T08:22:37.427-07:00The First Day of Spring! In honor of the official first day of spring, here are photos of our glorious blooming Sonoran desert taken over the past week or two. Here in the desert southwest we have been enjoying spring since late January, when the wildflowers first began to dot the landscape. For us summer is breathing down springs neck... we are reaching temperatures in the low 80s each afternoon. So we must enjoy our brief springs to the fullest. <br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><i>I have many photos of the spring wild flowers and cactus blooms, so I'll be adding them in stages as I have time to upload. </i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qE5ZDHPXkyqf9ov4kSMZ_6syh96zDSW9bAIQ0KGfNwyK18uqRXbe_QIdLbMbctD4LUntPbROazYJvxfqoYk3GTksP8YkO4tvLvNdz30_Gr03NOpc3AYNRhS9j-ixoaRGxBWC06dj_1M/s1600/IMG_6740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qE5ZDHPXkyqf9ov4kSMZ_6syh96zDSW9bAIQ0KGfNwyK18uqRXbe_QIdLbMbctD4LUntPbROazYJvxfqoYk3GTksP8YkO4tvLvNdz30_Gr03NOpc3AYNRhS9j-ixoaRGxBWC06dj_1M/s1600/IMG_6740.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummingbird in Creosote</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdKxlojKSouYva4JSTErRtIoVqOSLJqsNqAJ9xz2SVAzHsO5K7tGZzrZWAaboJmh7HtD-yYivcQnCTFCdmXj2WRzXcJ12ZjcNaj6ZbAthS6YWPyewDW_rrgpVx3YcMnOoXjzLsmMgzLk/s1600/IMG_6789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdKxlojKSouYva4JSTErRtIoVqOSLJqsNqAJ9xz2SVAzHsO5K7tGZzrZWAaboJmh7HtD-yYivcQnCTFCdmXj2WRzXcJ12ZjcNaj6ZbAthS6YWPyewDW_rrgpVx3YcMnOoXjzLsmMgzLk/s1600/IMG_6789.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spy a spring cotton tail... and a second! Can you see both?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokIQ4rfJFn6hC4tiuK47iYlIOLyVxs8UitjyofCYIRZussNOkNv5Re4W0lCGNSLDAeUU7Xn7QCdtXu8FzURhzunzq0HQzmJvD0lfy0GwTpyrx5Kfoqztk4bTJsUmIQdKAe5W5jWMdARY/s1600/IMG_6811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokIQ4rfJFn6hC4tiuK47iYlIOLyVxs8UitjyofCYIRZussNOkNv5Re4W0lCGNSLDAeUU7Xn7QCdtXu8FzURhzunzq0HQzmJvD0lfy0GwTpyrx5Kfoqztk4bTJsUmIQdKAe5W5jWMdARY/s1600/IMG_6811.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Globe Mallow bud</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO5nzl7-xrYaIxU95FBWCp5kk4xsbKfui2s7O1uFLTeak4g84ZKzB5ZDrC6dpBMhpPT0-utobS7VETSd1cLeS5oULmmcrxu8Ap3VDOyzpozYibHMIge7PEGP0UydJtHmVR6sPXRAWxeQ/s1600/IMG_6816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO5nzl7-xrYaIxU95FBWCp5kk4xsbKfui2s7O1uFLTeak4g84ZKzB5ZDrC6dpBMhpPT0-utobS7VETSd1cLeS5oULmmcrxu8Ap3VDOyzpozYibHMIge7PEGP0UydJtHmVR6sPXRAWxeQ/s1600/IMG_6816.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Globe Mallow plant in boulders.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInIoEosUSGs-aKWTb-YE5zEK4D_ZdTs3_jhcIZ77GOhxz_ZIYTa41L2h0A7tBs-C5sq5fikJ_ogndHw3qz6W22Ue_ebKBILfcgTym42-I18mHOAax-0LO7ApekkSnUqstASl8eNTsHw4/s1600/IMG_6822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInIoEosUSGs-aKWTb-YE5zEK4D_ZdTs3_jhcIZ77GOhxz_ZIYTa41L2h0A7tBs-C5sq5fikJ_ogndHw3qz6W22Ue_ebKBILfcgTym42-I18mHOAax-0LO7ApekkSnUqstASl8eNTsHw4/s1600/IMG_6822.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richly colored orange cups. :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu9y1v1NAEvhPYgkG1CeWJaGyXFAQXoLgG20SqaN4ktGfjgsMXMnEHQVO0YA67QVdV8-gNVAuMoGV7ljnmeokuo9z7OwcgV9LAu3YNYAx_0hqWL7plIWs99J9KXyKSEkrpemYBi-3jUY/s1600/IMG_6826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGu9y1v1NAEvhPYgkG1CeWJaGyXFAQXoLgG20SqaN4ktGfjgsMXMnEHQVO0YA67QVdV8-gNVAuMoGV7ljnmeokuo9z7OwcgV9LAu3YNYAx_0hqWL7plIWs99J9KXyKSEkrpemYBi-3jUY/s1600/IMG_6826.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't decide on which photos... ha-ha!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxc3wFqC2KAnC8VjlKIS2UwYK_uKcyMhufzdDzl3R6PzW5KzMEG8e9XIyvsDnY0_4iglab-mN_xOrKgudHu_ZuSaPbjOz56jlxFoy6-AyNAoK1qnKThWMdjzNDLk7X28SMIzN_mO7kZ8/s1600/IMG_6840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxc3wFqC2KAnC8VjlKIS2UwYK_uKcyMhufzdDzl3R6PzW5KzMEG8e9XIyvsDnY0_4iglab-mN_xOrKgudHu_ZuSaPbjOz56jlxFoy6-AyNAoK1qnKThWMdjzNDLk7X28SMIzN_mO7kZ8/s1600/IMG_6840.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emory Rock Daisy and Desert bluebell (scorpion weed/phacelia). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R6HXqq4qIBCw-WcNbH9XX1zgFrrgati0AU9m3LNsavfXIImiSo4Ve-FW-S1Qd91L8blZZ4oEiLK0uqV7kCDZawcPuB3IAadLPqZxVJJlWcJ6mNW5w6rpRivjDLPUcEPg5tGJp-kWpBU/s1600/IMG_6860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R6HXqq4qIBCw-WcNbH9XX1zgFrrgati0AU9m3LNsavfXIImiSo4Ve-FW-S1Qd91L8blZZ4oEiLK0uqV7kCDZawcPuB3IAadLPqZxVJJlWcJ6mNW5w6rpRivjDLPUcEPg5tGJp-kWpBU/s1600/IMG_6860.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the trail</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEjOxZeScJ7OaDgKRJ5mS10qDu8siqae1RtyPUwC5UMEzIdTNj8uCqtkn7gKhjecVJht6QWQ4Yz2wEu9MD80nL8Lzv0LZmp1rL9rgTwkD0I5ybUbLyxNOKdTZl1m5wf-a_w_iwItc020/s1600/IMG_6868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEjOxZeScJ7OaDgKRJ5mS10qDu8siqae1RtyPUwC5UMEzIdTNj8uCqtkn7gKhjecVJht6QWQ4Yz2wEu9MD80nL8Lzv0LZmp1rL9rgTwkD0I5ybUbLyxNOKdTZl1m5wf-a_w_iwItc020/s1600/IMG_6868.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fagonia</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJLohXEY2Sfvilf3cjo2QryaHVH9bKSdY4ZtN2C5TMVbYpEWOkOfitDnrRWnTK0tm_4ZAa5g4vlFT1ylSqgTepFe0zpmy-WuCUUVl5e94_kg1p5DYNZ4vDnV_L_CeG5ghJ6rwdQ4JqIg/s1600/IMG_6869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJLohXEY2Sfvilf3cjo2QryaHVH9bKSdY4ZtN2C5TMVbYpEWOkOfitDnrRWnTK0tm_4ZAa5g4vlFT1ylSqgTepFe0zpmy-WuCUUVl5e94_kg1p5DYNZ4vDnV_L_CeG5ghJ6rwdQ4JqIg/s1600/IMG_6869.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dainty Fagonia</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBsZUC_7qtayUIB7waQ-8S-vHHLkY67d4Wt_fyNQdDDkyLYn0u_xZDg4RHc6gXdwnP8nDxZSpZpyAG-rpL-Wr2JACPvMNmKQzsIRjcQlOOLwxtLZhRzjBiVdTnL9cfYOOptY-MB1DZ_M/s1600/IMG_6864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBsZUC_7qtayUIB7waQ-8S-vHHLkY67d4Wt_fyNQdDDkyLYn0u_xZDg4RHc6gXdwnP8nDxZSpZpyAG-rpL-Wr2JACPvMNmKQzsIRjcQlOOLwxtLZhRzjBiVdTnL9cfYOOptY-MB1DZ_M/s1600/IMG_6864.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny white bouquets of the Pincushion flower.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnYXDcbjd8RjETX9uuMvAf474l6UsNokw9qCNqEhghYUAj8grPPGj_QHFxl9byC82O76Y7S1yeYKvyRd_IdAshN1yGftHTo8dO0hOHw01kXHr_NzdRZdHoD4uh1Xy5sjGf_9QCG2zq_c/s1600/IMG_6895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnYXDcbjd8RjETX9uuMvAf474l6UsNokw9qCNqEhghYUAj8grPPGj_QHFxl9byC82O76Y7S1yeYKvyRd_IdAshN1yGftHTo8dO0hOHw01kXHr_NzdRZdHoD4uh1Xy5sjGf_9QCG2zq_c/s1600/IMG_6895.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright yellow Brittle Bush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12GWxWINzbjGml5abDcwy4uxGJqGupVTgwZ2_p64ULkgACg3zr9bwk6faZcLowPeSLK0aP2t4ddgRemcLBPfasRdSGIfjyWQw6LbY-Dmc0cxH8lLZsI3JZECtup3S0id-BDYPaQ40a_c/s1600/IMG_6900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12GWxWINzbjGml5abDcwy4uxGJqGupVTgwZ2_p64ULkgACg3zr9bwk6faZcLowPeSLK0aP2t4ddgRemcLBPfasRdSGIfjyWQw6LbY-Dmc0cxH8lLZsI3JZECtup3S0id-BDYPaQ40a_c/s1600/IMG_6900.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAKAVEA7Xwf6KCezDi80-wn4nP6yXM-WtapaJMYqKs6Pzs5K3-HPfHKBn4asr9ydsHPxt-VFR6KynUVh6KuJJRTLBrgF6nO7CaO-WmpARKixykvUoE2PqXzf76Yf_rubeVU1V9HF5Wp8/s1600/IMG_6912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAKAVEA7Xwf6KCezDi80-wn4nP6yXM-WtapaJMYqKs6Pzs5K3-HPfHKBn4asr9ydsHPxt-VFR6KynUVh6KuJJRTLBrgF6nO7CaO-WmpARKixykvUoE2PqXzf76Yf_rubeVU1V9HF5Wp8/s1600/IMG_6912.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brittle bush with a view of distant mountains, so pretty. Future painting?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjvykcVBN5WeZly9fmvUpI8cjVbo5Frt5S8JBevYLnEGtW1Mr531EEGTAA_AXuc6uYasjuHV_z7ilzTsBIb3ZAyhd36P0pwK_e2wF8dli-JG2L3TVEdGeY6vwzb-Z5cxbHE4tXHQ-RLU/s1600/IMG_6707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjvykcVBN5WeZly9fmvUpI8cjVbo5Frt5S8JBevYLnEGtW1Mr531EEGTAA_AXuc6uYasjuHV_z7ilzTsBIb3ZAyhd36P0pwK_e2wF8dli-JG2L3TVEdGeY6vwzb-Z5cxbHE4tXHQ-RLU/s1600/IMG_6707.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun worshippers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXOU5x_a3CE93U1KiLvyPrTRAtF0y2d912Wq3vVRRxmDQB457lSo6uz-weFUqga7bWS5c0DIngFOTcAgB5kIN3bIcAK-v8Y-jxe6ksZO1iIjkhZlSI4CycSrqOKqgpdCKHVcI4H6NeBw/s1600/IMG_6920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXOU5x_a3CE93U1KiLvyPrTRAtF0y2d912Wq3vVRRxmDQB457lSo6uz-weFUqga7bWS5c0DIngFOTcAgB5kIN3bIcAK-v8Y-jxe6ksZO1iIjkhZlSI4CycSrqOKqgpdCKHVcI4H6NeBw/s1600/IMG_6920.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lupine, rare! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdD2N9aGUgjXIjo1bG2S-DQW2DSOkBaJny1I_1-kbUpJlckU6AjgXg7AieDuhBM7pb0DQpQ8e3ZLuAtGUHft6PaZJ1lO4muiXF0h0qcWRAtg5uT8wnIhetr-4rwY2VmNEk7JcS0Ol6eto/s1600/IMG_6926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdD2N9aGUgjXIjo1bG2S-DQW2DSOkBaJny1I_1-kbUpJlckU6AjgXg7AieDuhBM7pb0DQpQ8e3ZLuAtGUHft6PaZJ1lO4muiXF0h0qcWRAtg5uT8wnIhetr-4rwY2VmNEk7JcS0Ol6eto/s1600/IMG_6926.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Gold Poppy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-20108925833446790692014-03-19T12:31:00.000-07:002014-03-20T16:43:02.653-07:00Colored Pencil Birds ~ class update <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We've been enjoying a 2 week visit from my father-in-law, but here are a couple more colored pencil birds from the online class I've been working (slowly!) through. I hope I get to all the lessons before the links expire. I have a couple more months before that happens, but at the rate I'm progressing, I might miss some. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The first was done in late February and the rest in March...</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbwIi-IbJ6He9SBhNfUfIhMu1SgfAA_YJXa-_QcVCibUbCuH7CLByf5pbM4y0mjswfsZ-rT7Nm-12mhVSnaFATqnADBjxS7GWaTffS2NQVQHxaO-DeRDnBVbxvr8pVVD-KDdN2YMOVGU/s1600/IMG_7000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbwIi-IbJ6He9SBhNfUfIhMu1SgfAA_YJXa-_QcVCibUbCuH7CLByf5pbM4y0mjswfsZ-rT7Nm-12mhVSnaFATqnADBjxS7GWaTffS2NQVQHxaO-DeRDnBVbxvr8pVVD-KDdN2YMOVGU/s1600/IMG_7000.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Jay</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu7Cy6K54o_jchbMYy4rQnCuAXUmU2ZNFn9ieSzVFm4IUHBWlJ4ddk2plQlAEMKsn3W8e8-XJJGCnCPF3TETN9_xIznDVG4F0BbcWhUDmYX7_MmSYb91aTtdT1yDDYI7GFTIsdUkBrUE/s1600/IMG_6952.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="433" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birds from our yard in my artist journal, mixed media (not part of colored pencil course). </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY62PffaqUUQ_oIAqx37LsyX0EocIDPZDAo1YIISXBxYJRFgJJ9JD86Oiryi777NdP2bpO8WOhWa2E6QevU60K7OjgbIaCztwzLQ2KdeLsQXj2o1XX_tusInkHICP5Jyw2Ss6jhQFRuE/s1600/IMG_7106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY62PffaqUUQ_oIAqx37LsyX0EocIDPZDAo1YIISXBxYJRFgJJ9JD86Oiryi777NdP2bpO8WOhWa2E6QevU60K7OjgbIaCztwzLQ2KdeLsQXj2o1XX_tusInkHICP5Jyw2Ss6jhQFRuE/s1600/IMG_7106.JPG" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilac Breasted Roller<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7pndqep78_Ifk4y-CB-4dsnceNLDkhuHs3QYVu5GMbGOuYoeBhv2UX0RlGmiimOuBqwwU3fEeczr_BB3u-wlLyubcAt1YYHzt-JWzkAGlLTK6rb-ZTpUBhwSzneHN050ATJtIE4ZnQ8/s1600/IMG_7324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7pndqep78_Ifk4y-CB-4dsnceNLDkhuHs3QYVu5GMbGOuYoeBhv2UX0RlGmiimOuBqwwU3fEeczr_BB3u-wlLyubcAt1YYHzt-JWzkAGlLTK6rb-ZTpUBhwSzneHN050ATJtIE4ZnQ8/s1600/IMG_7324.JPG" height="400" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leghorn Chicken, chosen to learn shading, texture of white birds. </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This course has been great; informative, relaxing and enjoyable. There is a Facebook group where the participants (from all over the country, and even some other countries) can post our completed work and give one another feedback! Very cool. I do find working in colored pencil a bit slow and tedious, and I doubt I'll be using it often, but it's great practice in seeing, and working in color that is very useful. The teacher, Val Webb, does beautiful work that is inspiring. You can check out her website, classes and artwork here; <a href="http://valwebb.wordpress.com/">The Illustrated Garden </a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks for reading, it would be lovely to receive comments from anyone out there still following along... I'm aware my 'sporadic' posts are not conducive to maintaining followers. So, I'm very grateful to those who still check in from time to time! :) Let me know what types of posts...drawings and art, photos, or pontificating (not much lately!), you enjoy! Ha ha.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Happy last day of winter, from the land where winter is very brief! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Up next; more of my blooming desert! </span></span><br />
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If you are interested in drawing, regardless of whether you've had little, lots or NO experience at all, there are a couple of suggestions I can offer. Start drawing! And take advantage of online courses... a FREE one with an excellent teacher has recently begun here;<br />
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<a href="http://www.strathmoreartist.com/blog-reader/items/id-2014-online-workshops-begin-march-10.html">http://www.strathmoreartist.com/blog-reader/items/id-2014-online-workshops-begin-march-10.html</a><br />
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And another you might want to join is starting soon, it's the concept of keeping an artist's journal (which is whatever you want it to be!) This one requires a payment, but should be excellent as it includes multiple fabulous teachers who will all bring a different aspect and ideas to try. Here's that link... <a href="http://www.sketchbookskool.com/">http://www.sketchbookskool.com/</a><br />
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-56434188438255300472014-02-15T16:20:00.002-07:002014-02-15T16:37:24.237-07:00Birds of Prey I am still plugging away with the colored pencil online course from Val Webb. This week I tackled lesson 2, which was to draw a Ferruginous Hawk. <br /><br />But the first part of the lesson, covered how to draw the eyes of birds, specifically birds of prey. Here are the sketches completed practicing assorted eyes. We were supposed to leave the rest of the bird sketchy...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYH_h3Umyj13WFPFsQRU8s_5loZjyHEBFa_eBeGnUr5U_NTvZqnKNBhiQhcNXt-TlwQxZvq0h2BsfKLwd0s6WAqLK5gi7JQ94YGb4v4XQ0DFdFzcarMmihtYc4t-76ZgJiH084-vWDkE/s1600/IMG_6675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYH_h3Umyj13WFPFsQRU8s_5loZjyHEBFa_eBeGnUr5U_NTvZqnKNBhiQhcNXt-TlwQxZvq0h2BsfKLwd0s6WAqLK5gi7JQ94YGb4v4XQ0DFdFzcarMmihtYc4t-76ZgJiH084-vWDkE/s1600/IMG_6675.JPG" height="346" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><br /><br />This was challenging, fun.... and eventually I was itching to get on to the next lessons, since I am behind... so I left his lower neck feathers roughly sketched in. I am happy with the results!<br />
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Information on the class can be found here... <a href="http://valwebb.wordpress.com/workshops-online-classes/">Val Webb's Colored Pencil course on birds. </a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kcQCYBnW5aaRK2r2PY3NFjNdeOiXK-QJFHiVM6abuc1Igr4icNSH6q5xL2ytQ17N1AioXTL5hrpXBnY-E8RoiA8rZdvC6r6G1akgnHfead8fvp628pKvXVa0l8ldcJqwJ7sKhfFP0_4/s1600/IMG_6674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kcQCYBnW5aaRK2r2PY3NFjNdeOiXK-QJFHiVM6abuc1Igr4icNSH6q5xL2ytQ17N1AioXTL5hrpXBnY-E8RoiA8rZdvC6r6G1akgnHfead8fvp628pKvXVa0l8ldcJqwJ7sKhfFP0_4/s1600/IMG_6674.JPG" height="400" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With computer monitor resource photo. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBhbCcu34KfM-eyJMpZjCniH-7amVFjwWPwMel6ksUgeA-NjB08Gh7ItkuyhxyYWmvvfgpmwmSWiD_S0XcVPxWZtIX2HgmXb8URoLVkNKSwuLZUDQnJiD9VjTgwZIkvvZQ963qe334y4/s1600/IMG_6670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBhbCcu34KfM-eyJMpZjCniH-7amVFjwWPwMel6ksUgeA-NjB08Gh7ItkuyhxyYWmvvfgpmwmSWiD_S0XcVPxWZtIX2HgmXb8URoLVkNKSwuLZUDQnJiD9VjTgwZIkvvZQ963qe334y4/s1600/IMG_6670.JPG" height="341" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My photo is 'redder' than the actual drawing.. the browns are not as 'rusty'. </td></tr>
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-3564483451534595622014-02-14T00:19:00.000-07:002014-03-28T06:49:02.578-07:00Fleeting Flowers, part two!Thursday morning I set out after 9 am and had specific flowers I hoped to find. I wanted a better photo of our desert lupine, it's dainty and smaller than other species... but, I did not find a single one (in bloom) down on the 'flats'. I did find lots of other species though, and a few more that are new to me. I was out there for a couple hours and enjoyed the beautiful spring weather, all the birds are in nesting mode and these beautifully decked flowers... which will be gone so quickly. Other species, many shrubs, trees and the cacti are still yet to bloom in the coming weeks. These tiny and early specimens are peaking now, many will be dried up in the next week or two.<br />
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As with the last post, here is a shot of the general terrain in which these photos were taken. Last time I was up on the top of the hill, this time in the dry washes and valleys. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC21PD7EhcS4k7rbKaYxBYTr0LposXzKS8RVN3XJIMumCiLxtT467PrYXZXjZQ_r9B2EEWo6Ak7c1W4F-r5dDigZ1mZJPanNWwKAOlt2fJFEcHarjgJk0zgoNQCX95N9q-nDeYjGuBvU/s1600/IMG_6391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC21PD7EhcS4k7rbKaYxBYTr0LposXzKS8RVN3XJIMumCiLxtT467PrYXZXjZQ_r9B2EEWo6Ak7c1W4F-r5dDigZ1mZJPanNWwKAOlt2fJFEcHarjgJk0zgoNQCX95N9q-nDeYjGuBvU/s1600/IMG_6391.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Mountain Preserve</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvPivodiNKfJDODwqhf_31nZaN-2uWDiltDEz6loYGVf8M97DyKJGbM-vqVaqRktzs1AWJset60NQ8PuSpnU5ZeP3sIReWQ3c4c8qiSHzM2hINhZ7v0BgO37CDZhSpfN6q2Mh-QoULDA/s1600/IMG_6220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvPivodiNKfJDODwqhf_31nZaN-2uWDiltDEz6loYGVf8M97DyKJGbM-vqVaqRktzs1AWJset60NQ8PuSpnU5ZeP3sIReWQ3c4c8qiSHzM2hINhZ7v0BgO37CDZhSpfN6q2Mh-QoULDA/s1600/IMG_6220.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybTKoPLvNnmrOI9ARxXc3UGRhdWaWw7DM1q8iVBeKWVsvAeK-RkI4XdLE8wx8mXqrAZKRmu4gAHe6WZWoOptbr-1F3EpiR8EH2Rq3eMe4QJEAjk8hk1qonkmbLI52lGA58oWvk6wSqak/s1600/IMG_6221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybTKoPLvNnmrOI9ARxXc3UGRhdWaWw7DM1q8iVBeKWVsvAeK-RkI4XdLE8wx8mXqrAZKRmu4gAHe6WZWoOptbr-1F3EpiR8EH2Rq3eMe4QJEAjk8hk1qonkmbLI52lGA58oWvk6wSqak/s1600/IMG_6221.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coulter's Lupine, no flower. :(</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnMZZ427T6onEPS4cuQpn5UoW3_mTMI5UCVzcPYXFCxZu2N2lxhJgBuNkcQ4ORGAkTf6cOl-beCgFImMO7haHZqeWWKjgsxG3L7vDGhx0H_OTL_5Q8uAIxAy7Lr1Yg8e2SHN-vQuqH_M/s1600/IMG_6222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnMZZ427T6onEPS4cuQpn5UoW3_mTMI5UCVzcPYXFCxZu2N2lxhJgBuNkcQ4ORGAkTf6cOl-beCgFImMO7haHZqeWWKjgsxG3L7vDGhx0H_OTL_5Q8uAIxAy7Lr1Yg8e2SHN-vQuqH_M/s1600/IMG_6222.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="cName">
Desert Trumpet
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<div class="latin">
Eriogonum inflatum</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0nT8Xw0GpGJeXepmlZUwxrSY98E4yvPsRa88DRNZ_heksUUJveyUyv0X37E3Fu2xdBnHc7Ovuw3sn0bX3KRax_z37a97ZGNYa-H0iufe68_0SRYBC9zX8AuuDxums5tuvxBalkPLyEY/s1600/IMG_6225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0nT8Xw0GpGJeXepmlZUwxrSY98E4yvPsRa88DRNZ_heksUUJveyUyv0X37E3Fu2xdBnHc7Ovuw3sn0bX3KRax_z37a97ZGNYa-H0iufe68_0SRYBC9zX8AuuDxums5tuvxBalkPLyEY/s1600/IMG_6225.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unopened buds are supposed to bear yellow flowers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0QSAjnVJG2HksABtq8jevr_0GiRd0w9CyogWxo09nKLWIGCkoR3AsrHZkXNAc8PAlL-tDpkJjDR6f_t9xMzMT4hreOlAPmX8S9DNtCH09SmLgdG8sD8xRzKKBFiq4JuZ0WhbJtjix4Q/s1600/IMG_6277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0QSAjnVJG2HksABtq8jevr_0GiRd0w9CyogWxo09nKLWIGCkoR3AsrHZkXNAc8PAlL-tDpkJjDR6f_t9xMzMT4hreOlAPmX8S9DNtCH09SmLgdG8sD8xRzKKBFiq4JuZ0WhbJtjix4Q/s1600/IMG_6277.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up of an orange fiddle-neck.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQyEMrDoGPzcK00WHbdAP5QtYics9PCJrIXTZEIrGMC3QrFCFMu833UIRgjw9L7RSjFpT5-8MtK_vUY98d2u-xSmLrA37tBCOoOflMvSovAFe6lEaazm0-c9DUk0a90xpq_4TaxSYELU/s1600/IMG_6279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQyEMrDoGPzcK00WHbdAP5QtYics9PCJrIXTZEIrGMC3QrFCFMu833UIRgjw9L7RSjFpT5-8MtK_vUY98d2u-xSmLrA37tBCOoOflMvSovAFe6lEaazm0-c9DUk0a90xpq_4TaxSYELU/s1600/IMG_6279.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table border="0" cellpadding="10"><tbody>
<tr><td><div class="cName">
Sand Peppergrass
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</td>
<td><div class="latin">
(Lepidium lasiocarpum) a member of the mustard family.</div>
<div class="latin">
This is another very common desert wildflower in Arizona. But it is sometimes
so small that casual observers usually see it as "grass" not noticing
the fascinating seed pods or minute flowers. (I'm not positive I'm correct on this one!) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oImFHhWP0LxB893eIGgarX7sYRML7K_kXAjiwPCpjC6eBPCS0-zAcRxAORPTpgx5UK0HOtWAKW1TGErffYGipmsmQJB5Ze5E35pkABpA58Xomz-1Pg5hgxUq6-mQYyOSA7vAiNj-Ouc/s1600/IMG_6292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oImFHhWP0LxB893eIGgarX7sYRML7K_kXAjiwPCpjC6eBPCS0-zAcRxAORPTpgx5UK0HOtWAKW1TGErffYGipmsmQJB5Ze5E35pkABpA58Xomz-1Pg5hgxUq6-mQYyOSA7vAiNj-Ouc/s1600/IMG_6292.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjjx9cAU-me1DLKKlJJeAnCZbGVn5l8hAj8l0_csqz7eUBSzK8HkOBIeth4NeVLku86BL7vBIUSddnukcM8ddIGsBe6LDIupRKXoQIqoui2yd3buLbM0HQ-NvbbLclu1vaxf3a6pOMv0/s1600/IMG_6317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjjx9cAU-me1DLKKlJJeAnCZbGVn5l8hAj8l0_csqz7eUBSzK8HkOBIeth4NeVLku86BL7vBIUSddnukcM8ddIGsBe6LDIupRKXoQIqoui2yd3buLbM0HQ-NvbbLclu1vaxf3a6pOMv0/s1600/IMG_6317.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrt5AmAzPXLxysJVbtf_Q9CFnabUVzEqfkAkfvqbGqnJ899_VpkhOrFd-TsTGGhWn-SbEiP1t-HowU22WajEGmhTHwD_YY2hIoQ0h4gR5BXxOJYtUJ2nrmJAC25pAgqw950KTW5KW_nw/s1600/IMG_6323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrt5AmAzPXLxysJVbtf_Q9CFnabUVzEqfkAkfvqbGqnJ899_VpkhOrFd-TsTGGhWn-SbEiP1t-HowU22WajEGmhTHwD_YY2hIoQ0h4gR5BXxOJYtUJ2nrmJAC25pAgqw950KTW5KW_nw/s1600/IMG_6323.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QehFyZu_UhrLj70YqjzeGTYIJFYkKfLggST8Y7GZvT2ew_KVlkRjZHJHeU02Fqzvchzbqr6p7mD3GrAQ4M967nEUDi13ZW0U64QiSxJtQ6JuWVUVMqBeFncgUL5IKsLer5jIxP0ofM0/s1600/IMG_6339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QehFyZu_UhrLj70YqjzeGTYIJFYkKfLggST8Y7GZvT2ew_KVlkRjZHJHeU02Fqzvchzbqr6p7mD3GrAQ4M967nEUDi13ZW0U64QiSxJtQ6JuWVUVMqBeFncgUL5IKsLer5jIxP0ofM0/s1600/IMG_6339.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="cName">
Bigelow's Four O'Clock (Mirabilis bielovii) or<br />
Desert Wishbone Bush (Mirabilis laevis <span style="font-style: normal;">var.</span> villosa)</div>
<div class="latin">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRackW8sJmTDlyD0ytJYZra2bRZsMyI6vdUwtZCfCV16r-IrU3B3Lb3X6NbZ7zK6GZzB1NXmb17tf0yVVyQ5AdgCbEZ6BtTCJdKW06SY4jdjSFroSqx7aFl2RKZOyGxuRapREuDCHMuM/s1600/IMG_6341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRackW8sJmTDlyD0ytJYZra2bRZsMyI6vdUwtZCfCV16r-IrU3B3Lb3X6NbZ7zK6GZzB1NXmb17tf0yVVyQ5AdgCbEZ6BtTCJdKW06SY4jdjSFroSqx7aFl2RKZOyGxuRapREuDCHMuM/s1600/IMG_6341.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">same as above, bee shows size of flowers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupIdAW43pAJQATvNM71gStuB-hYMQq4njWjqp1XRRJgJrF5pZ4Bvjx_dQo65a08tp0rh6cHFJtNlVTm9EnEEm2IKGk2C7y_vPpELC18d0gbxCCVJdcl6k2SiI-dDMZEHfKsKjmBLhqC8/s1600/IMG_6354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupIdAW43pAJQATvNM71gStuB-hYMQq4njWjqp1XRRJgJrF5pZ4Bvjx_dQo65a08tp0rh6cHFJtNlVTm9EnEEm2IKGk2C7y_vPpELC18d0gbxCCVJdcl6k2SiI-dDMZEHfKsKjmBLhqC8/s1600/IMG_6354.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This resembles fiddle-neck, but the blossoms are even smaller and are white. ? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3P71IJIEp7_qU9LEdcPelPgJPKR__tYFpCy3C79G3KWqm7MDUr-KXnSkKvX-cfsYzqlVuG-XNKXsIrY3tEZAauASUChXawzt2ifJRcn0cMoKSSiMblFU3d4kNLyD4fa02YdQpzVh_Z4/s1600/IMG_6360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3P71IJIEp7_qU9LEdcPelPgJPKR__tYFpCy3C79G3KWqm7MDUr-KXnSkKvX-cfsYzqlVuG-XNKXsIrY3tEZAauASUChXawzt2ifJRcn0cMoKSSiMblFU3d4kNLyD4fa02YdQpzVh_Z4/s1600/IMG_6360.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table border="0" cellpadding="5" id="Table1" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><div class="cName">
White Easterbonnets
</div>
</td>
<td><div class="latin">
(Antheropeas lanosum &/or Eriophyllum lanosum)</div>
</td>
<td>They are itty bitty...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaC8EVi5PREgnTgUiDo6EjvqGTmoQpaALwu28nb8zZCcXpFsXGRgr5aVtiYCIBBJxu-odKoW-A8925fvvua1wx3dJ6rz8kEQ4Lp_ObO-BBGlo-SVjXdNrWV_-WeVnE6aa5v5Fd0umCmQ/s1600/IMG_6362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaC8EVi5PREgnTgUiDo6EjvqGTmoQpaALwu28nb8zZCcXpFsXGRgr5aVtiYCIBBJxu-odKoW-A8925fvvua1wx3dJ6rz8kEQ4Lp_ObO-BBGlo-SVjXdNrWV_-WeVnE6aa5v5Fd0umCmQ/s1600/IMG_6362.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would take quite a lot of these to cover a bonnet! ;) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoQelFzvvuxFeZvLeVL-bX_B_iqckc9dXMOSR_HAo0B0jNB7CTAMnit8dXwmzl5_2KSzUS_eOvrmza9jQsfARtGnsm8yqgxlXcHJiVN8lW25yvBaAfvBXuGnmnCEGSrUxYZH4RlWx44I/s1600/IMG_6363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoQelFzvvuxFeZvLeVL-bX_B_iqckc9dXMOSR_HAo0B0jNB7CTAMnit8dXwmzl5_2KSzUS_eOvrmza9jQsfARtGnsm8yqgxlXcHJiVN8lW25yvBaAfvBXuGnmnCEGSrUxYZH4RlWx44I/s1600/IMG_6363.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indian Wheat-grass (I think) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eGZFaTULoicnDenLuxV8lzCqzgf-e-zsf_Bo9NUAAryh3csFzJangfUr_Ht1pQ7w1Cz6hQgJv-9r0dFuwKGMDirqRuG5CU5sCK1dhJzUXGCXLi_ldMStJf6zQHWRkixyWp6K2hkY72c/s1600/IMG_6365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eGZFaTULoicnDenLuxV8lzCqzgf-e-zsf_Bo9NUAAryh3csFzJangfUr_Ht1pQ7w1Cz6hQgJv-9r0dFuwKGMDirqRuG5CU5sCK1dhJzUXGCXLi_ldMStJf6zQHWRkixyWp6K2hkY72c/s1600/IMG_6365.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXCgJhDlTg3kAMGWKdBhODo2CV-R20gynV6k9gbrbWz99C-8WR2kjg11uAAWWbeLAAUXDz2U7voDaNa61M5r7kgnKW5GOHUwEv6q6jRTcRB33aOAxIrOjyYTwd9_Le1opxcGHfNfv4Oc/s1600/IMG_6376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXCgJhDlTg3kAMGWKdBhODo2CV-R20gynV6k9gbrbWz99C-8WR2kjg11uAAWWbeLAAUXDz2U7voDaNa61M5r7kgnKW5GOHUwEv6q6jRTcRB33aOAxIrOjyYTwd9_Le1opxcGHfNfv4Oc/s1600/IMG_6376.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These lacey, fine, every which way, stems are fun! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XArYXfnb_rt8eVLeqDbCOSfHsUIkMAqNNM7RFJfFgxiNfGrnq2UiyHokZ8Mx7P8E3iIF_pF6ri7pNvRsqkdEabIXkSf2MXXSSV80__DgxcLNDGZlt21iMcJgcMM1_EVhJn5usUTho-M/s1600/IMG_6375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XArYXfnb_rt8eVLeqDbCOSfHsUIkMAqNNM7RFJfFgxiNfGrnq2UiyHokZ8Mx7P8E3iIF_pF6ri7pNvRsqkdEabIXkSf2MXXSSV80__DgxcLNDGZlt21iMcJgcMM1_EVhJn5usUTho-M/s1600/IMG_6375.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI18u2ZEHCSYLhHq4fZrpp8PwGvFkJGmf8vFRzHYp08meuUUia5g3XSNNZetByXOvn8QWOxenUEq6r_GE9-Gjs2ydx9aCcpNA9IJp3Ry9hw9wJVD7cinzaoQIFT8S9-1vQEkYGaaGJH3I/s1600/IMG_6377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI18u2ZEHCSYLhHq4fZrpp8PwGvFkJGmf8vFRzHYp08meuUUia5g3XSNNZetByXOvn8QWOxenUEq6r_GE9-Gjs2ydx9aCcpNA9IJp3Ry9hw9wJVD7cinzaoQIFT8S9-1vQEkYGaaGJH3I/s1600/IMG_6377.JPG" height="317" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 different flowers all sharing a bit of sand.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhun6pze1wRdIQonTwkGIBiTURUxF5qXB35kuwVt7sNkrPpubbqj6A-w38s8Mkgh8Q1HGfesy80QWhHfy19H-nTxZMxv3fCQF-MGBsLI3HUrJR_I0BJVQ_hobjjZR9aL-y_lQmHCS1XVkI/s1600/IMG_6379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhun6pze1wRdIQonTwkGIBiTURUxF5qXB35kuwVt7sNkrPpubbqj6A-w38s8Mkgh8Q1HGfesy80QWhHfy19H-nTxZMxv3fCQF-MGBsLI3HUrJR_I0BJVQ_hobjjZR9aL-y_lQmHCS1XVkI/s1600/IMG_6379.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think God is the original floral arranger. Phacelia and cholla skeleton.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIaMWpwbKyRqSjIqJJFk-ivbkbAsx3bi9vHiVKDnvXBzl5QXl6dzY9Z0I8fkx61tLT2B7A08fZbNZG6OLzdZTOKpTzWua3CERKaJU9s22rP9SwUYJ8-ce45JLHXeiTZdlGxnYkGZRlvA/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIaMWpwbKyRqSjIqJJFk-ivbkbAsx3bi9vHiVKDnvXBzl5QXl6dzY9Z0I8fkx61tLT2B7A08fZbNZG6OLzdZTOKpTzWua3CERKaJU9s22rP9SwUYJ8-ce45JLHXeiTZdlGxnYkGZRlvA/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG" height="277" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY1JmM8Vho73c34Fdje9cLY4opNbIrYM1eyEqNrK-RFIvInzlzOsyXs562U0kWEoR4i0UXZ5IvGthqYWEhKCfzJhyw2H8Q73gpmBG-gd5i67A1wUH3ngQy-lRXWWXcsph6zPL68tOPvQ/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY1JmM8Vho73c34Fdje9cLY4opNbIrYM1eyEqNrK-RFIvInzlzOsyXs562U0kWEoR4i0UXZ5IvGthqYWEhKCfzJhyw2H8Q73gpmBG-gd5i67A1wUH3ngQy-lRXWWXcsph6zPL68tOPvQ/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The leaves on an Ocotillo are turning, soon the branch will be bear, but the flower buds are forming on the tips! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cB5Qc6aL7hSaEXru-jOpDBNNSFNHq6gT6WtBtAKT4ATFj42s49byorKueQF1nPVkE1tAqfb5WcQ5viZBh2jlatzAq-pWF9pR8w-piYQ04fsKMMKkqRrXNTa6OTbCZbEjy1nmyLVtj2A/s1600/IMG_6388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cB5Qc6aL7hSaEXru-jOpDBNNSFNHq6gT6WtBtAKT4ATFj42s49byorKueQF1nPVkE1tAqfb5WcQ5viZBh2jlatzAq-pWF9pR8w-piYQ04fsKMMKkqRrXNTa6OTbCZbEjy1nmyLVtj2A/s1600/IMG_6388.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another unknown and a close up of it's teeny blossoms... </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjicL-PzAuM73spvzJ9pzXtR2ZeKNOUbv8yfTe6dJTClBCxLBlDhMWoPWtHB-WAFjOOTsrMs6nTw4QgBSjJRiqghtG2cphZxgf-yx6xsnj3ImaNzzz40uItR0eUw2gjJHlqxzBAJuZkv4/s1600/IMG_6389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjicL-PzAuM73spvzJ9pzXtR2ZeKNOUbv8yfTe6dJTClBCxLBlDhMWoPWtHB-WAFjOOTsrMs6nTw4QgBSjJRiqghtG2cphZxgf-yx6xsnj3ImaNzzz40uItR0eUw2gjJHlqxzBAJuZkv4/s1600/IMG_6389.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr-Mc74I7Cte7e5VqMu-0cnG3xdbFJ8uB5oeIiXqeqdy40iyzdvVrFqlvksQPWmjPoFXcCCQ7-BUqzVZKrPhN0oL5M7qCFivtKv0N6fwXvacf5iZEkN1YFa3S8jbFwImPtFIZxB6h_c8/s1600/IMG_6393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr-Mc74I7Cte7e5VqMu-0cnG3xdbFJ8uB5oeIiXqeqdy40iyzdvVrFqlvksQPWmjPoFXcCCQ7-BUqzVZKrPhN0oL5M7qCFivtKv0N6fwXvacf5iZEkN1YFa3S8jbFwImPtFIZxB6h_c8/s1600/IMG_6393.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coulter's Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea coulteri) I am more familiar with the small shrub mallows, this was another new plant for me. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFa-yH9aG4STGuWXmhQ_VgwTw11Yc8Vr1O7eS8fstXDa4-P0ioqAqHN9ozbXlWca0un3RY8Bhrrvlg0tp14xB1v1Et5pG0HIV8a9uIWKf7EzxnUCfoOCNY6hrLhtGE4j8vK7F7SAcVmY/s1600/IMG_6414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFa-yH9aG4STGuWXmhQ_VgwTw11Yc8Vr1O7eS8fstXDa4-P0ioqAqHN9ozbXlWca0un3RY8Bhrrvlg0tp14xB1v1Et5pG0HIV8a9uIWKf7EzxnUCfoOCNY6hrLhtGE4j8vK7F7SAcVmY/s1600/IMG_6414.JPG" height="286" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a delightful discovery. This shrub was about 3 ft across and 2 ft high, I have not seen it before.<br />
I think it is Fagonia (Fagonia laevis)<br />
<div class="latin">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvrspJoy-BRtBOTS8xJ1Gei2OtlvW7fv4aL-tvDh9K6-x_23BwgyxhMFRbkJvoTM5qtW3jQKsB5doP3yK90zg7_oAPtM_8wkv_pAuBlDcL2yEn4nyMJhyROsNvbADlB_NZM4ia3byMIc/s1600/IMG_6416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvrspJoy-BRtBOTS8xJ1Gei2OtlvW7fv4aL-tvDh9K6-x_23BwgyxhMFRbkJvoTM5qtW3jQKsB5doP3yK90zg7_oAPtM_8wkv_pAuBlDcL2yEn4nyMJhyROsNvbADlB_NZM4ia3byMIc/s1600/IMG_6416.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's blooms, so delicate and what a glorious color!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
These fleeting beauties echo the truths of scripture...<br />
<br />
<span class="text Isa-40-6">A voice says, “Cry!”</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-6">And I said, “What shall I cry?”</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-40-6">All flesh is grass,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-6">and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-40-7" id="en-ESV-18428">The grass withers, the flower fades</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-7">when the breath of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> blows on it;</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-7">surely the people are grass.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-40-8" id="en-ESV-18429">The grass withers, the flower fades,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-8">but the word of our God will stand forever.</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-8">(Isaiah 40:6-8) </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-8"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-8"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-8"><br /> also...</span></span><span class="text Matt-6-28" id="en-ESV-23311"><span class="woj">"And why are you anxious...? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-29" id="en-ESV-23312"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-30" id="en-ESV-23313"><span class="woj">But
if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and
tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-31" id="en-ESV-23314"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Therefore do not be anxious</span></span><span class="text Matt-6-31" id="en-ESV-23314"><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-6-31" id="en-ESV-23314"><span class="woj"> saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-32" id="en-ESV-23315"><span class="woj"></span></span>...</span></span><span class="text Matt-6-32" id="en-ESV-23315"><span class="woj">your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-33" id="en-ESV-23316"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."</span></span><br />
(Portions of Matthew 6:28-33) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, here are some of the critters I came across, too... <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZuJU-RCthdCBnnmDlH0FTEcY84LtwBIylI0Dz_NgC-y1vuAZr_kKATLN9vAkvuHdNg9M3KwGZW6fVqUdMcQYoVLOD0T-_HlWVrnR207FDk5YIWHcvZsvFsB_a2tBPNV7bFqH8-g516U/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZuJU-RCthdCBnnmDlH0FTEcY84LtwBIylI0Dz_NgC-y1vuAZr_kKATLN9vAkvuHdNg9M3KwGZW6fVqUdMcQYoVLOD0T-_HlWVrnR207FDk5YIWHcvZsvFsB_a2tBPNV7bFqH8-g516U/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a bad shot (actually taken last week/different camera!), but I was excited to discover I'd spotted an American Kestral, the smallest falcon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxX7Ketrnjsrkc-8l0VtX3ISWdKItCBvgqsxgI7UjA1fIMqI7WoMRhQqPOiIB7xSGzv3D0KCy0XaBpk28V_oq5qSMuJnnOfIJ_h7kpZLhnnv_ZZwhIfaFXlxhAA057CIThJ1b1KCsD6Ao/s1600/IMG_6214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxX7Ketrnjsrkc-8l0VtX3ISWdKItCBvgqsxgI7UjA1fIMqI7WoMRhQqPOiIB7xSGzv3D0KCy0XaBpk28V_oq5qSMuJnnOfIJ_h7kpZLhnnv_ZZwhIfaFXlxhAA057CIThJ1b1KCsD6Ao/s1600/IMG_6214.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lizard... (not familiar with all their species!) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzRJYEDlapwUtTDut-zY3l1UZUN7EdYfhGQmaPV37HKmML4aZ4BU-BCsT0_q6jjf7Y2_zYAH2nQhuRRC6hWf27I2tksV9nuDCwq6ebWfudqyva_hRceJ2eObqxUDoUEJQ6KBxrF_USeI/s1600/IMG_6216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzRJYEDlapwUtTDut-zY3l1UZUN7EdYfhGQmaPV37HKmML4aZ4BU-BCsT0_q6jjf7Y2_zYAH2nQhuRRC6hWf27I2tksV9nuDCwq6ebWfudqyva_hRceJ2eObqxUDoUEJQ6KBxrF_USeI/s1600/IMG_6216.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closeup of Mr. unknown!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkU334YQ_RKqB2SugQKiUwOXIoOU1JZ232lMrvVICgTLdGtSeY42N-GtMyAm6R563yswI_KaZfq-hsEBDOcYuYIC_iVWN2kWOCHQMY-mdKPj14pDPos4TGJx1nUP_eb3rzVSCwzh4vx_o/s1600/IMG_6231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkU334YQ_RKqB2SugQKiUwOXIoOU1JZ232lMrvVICgTLdGtSeY42N-GtMyAm6R563yswI_KaZfq-hsEBDOcYuYIC_iVWN2kWOCHQMY-mdKPj14pDPos4TGJx1nUP_eb3rzVSCwzh4vx_o/s1600/IMG_6231.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black chinned hummingbird. ;) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkJV2Rp_kfVQGVKqwFsWBMNgEYmKn5gcN8KXwJcRvAU32sRAHjW8tKkaePXmngSFGdn5gPA6niFjSxt4k-MzJUN8USVaJz1RIzAfUNMcl6xPlDjl1T4tGi96-NbRflq7unjifVbLpNCY/s1600/IMG_6301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkJV2Rp_kfVQGVKqwFsWBMNgEYmKn5gcN8KXwJcRvAU32sRAHjW8tKkaePXmngSFGdn5gPA6niFjSxt4k-MzJUN8USVaJz1RIzAfUNMcl6xPlDjl1T4tGi96-NbRflq7unjifVbLpNCY/s1600/IMG_6301.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House Finch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdejLrmBNTnYrebiM4e-kcqa_sbwlwMyK5tjkS2sFBUJu8A7Niz2O7yaZAxnNSGQ9pKNatCHO_47DP0SPDGYx6NkGP1_nCRbbvSdV2jiUdNpR7BUoXDb282EVz5OFfFrpBfockV57Qm5k/s1600/IMG_6312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdejLrmBNTnYrebiM4e-kcqa_sbwlwMyK5tjkS2sFBUJu8A7Niz2O7yaZAxnNSGQ9pKNatCHO_47DP0SPDGYx6NkGP1_nCRbbvSdV2jiUdNpR7BUoXDb282EVz5OFfFrpBfockV57Qm5k/s1600/IMG_6312.JPG" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Chinned Hummingbird (male)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRD4yJ5v4Xx2icIBbcGjouPbVu8MDKSkCXi0GR7-Cp_ch0U3XWSyXquzkKQgj5u165OUzZYxmF9_Rms8I-Z51jr-vuRqI7IpOScLm_cvp1YEXmXQwhm3QS0gb-MQVuwF44fZItQyQjC0U/s1600/IMG_6309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRD4yJ5v4Xx2icIBbcGjouPbVu8MDKSkCXi0GR7-Cp_ch0U3XWSyXquzkKQgj5u165OUzZYxmF9_Rms8I-Z51jr-vuRqI7IpOScLm_cvp1YEXmXQwhm3QS0gb-MQVuwF44fZItQyQjC0U/s1600/IMG_6309.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was a bit suspicious of me. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76SQatRnoMQUYUaKKgB6H6Fzb1GS5B6qphQzV5sU0m-oUj5wcjbeasW0ywNd_thrVn0-Bhx1TvkogSZGNjQPlN1QlL-yDJsbM9__GUOs5jzSm9v03RP9wdt5LfhEWBO_vQ_x9vkqGtyg/s1600/IMG_6308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76SQatRnoMQUYUaKKgB6H6Fzb1GS5B6qphQzV5sU0m-oUj5wcjbeasW0ywNd_thrVn0-Bhx1TvkogSZGNjQPlN1QlL-yDJsbM9__GUOs5jzSm9v03RP9wdt5LfhEWBO_vQ_x9vkqGtyg/s1600/IMG_6308.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting in his morning stretches and showing off his backside! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvb-KChhJg5cdNi6AcYgBxcZROeGyf3Ijsd043aRgwJjoBOtQdlqXXiyLxPzMT3Iz_omIxQbhKb2VGkisg7U0xf02XKz632roAPxEGSoRMU-fKw_fpJgDEOpPdAmcKVdn7W8vE2iSuJk/s1600/IMG_6343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvb-KChhJg5cdNi6AcYgBxcZROeGyf3Ijsd043aRgwJjoBOtQdlqXXiyLxPzMT3Iz_omIxQbhKb2VGkisg7U0xf02XKz632roAPxEGSoRMU-fKw_fpJgDEOpPdAmcKVdn7W8vE2iSuJk/s1600/IMG_6343.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of Verdin were gathering nesting material... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Rs5slCIEOCqhBjWbd7Qzi0hVYzB-id_x6HIKU-0_Nsjf6KmcnFDxK29zsrF-jC_FTzSpADxVkEyHyel20l-Ns7Wgt7-1RBG6nx1EogrnKp4c8N4QrgJYO3ZNYOTM6CMx-qwhfhJaAN4/s1600/IMG_6347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Rs5slCIEOCqhBjWbd7Qzi0hVYzB-id_x6HIKU-0_Nsjf6KmcnFDxK29zsrF-jC_FTzSpADxVkEyHyel20l-Ns7Wgt7-1RBG6nx1EogrnKp4c8N4QrgJYO3ZNYOTM6CMx-qwhfhJaAN4/s1600/IMG_6347.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Verdin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeKuykjJW2nadMqYNoc45KfgqckPE_0ZGFSpo21-mxun8eLzzF1KBmEOgPGui_HeMkIIc-B0-zamoBZDbFsGq9Z0M1JZpv44HLNtJq6dS7i_1mgm_0ZgXKWvI2-Hkj_cMmc1ElP_qodk/s1600/IMG_6349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeKuykjJW2nadMqYNoc45KfgqckPE_0ZGFSpo21-mxun8eLzzF1KBmEOgPGui_HeMkIIc-B0-zamoBZDbFsGq9Z0M1JZpv44HLNtJq6dS7i_1mgm_0ZgXKWvI2-Hkj_cMmc1ElP_qodk/s1600/IMG_6349.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vMNH7d_uj0Up8WzEs9YA69EYxXg3l3-3S2Y9Tix4a0T9EQ4YafTznbZztyfKQdh5mm1yQxNm7XMyTqdXL6soXchjhArKH8JLlzhKMBaedL2Il46kQo_Y29fcK4x97-0bP82OFCjW1Rg/s1600/IMG_6404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vMNH7d_uj0Up8WzEs9YA69EYxXg3l3-3S2Y9Tix4a0T9EQ4YafTznbZztyfKQdh5mm1yQxNm7XMyTqdXL6soXchjhArKH8JLlzhKMBaedL2Il46kQo_Y29fcK4x97-0bP82OFCjW1Rg/s1600/IMG_6404.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Flycatcher (Ash-throated or Dusky-capped ?) or a Say's Phoebe. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxbep0TY83DAIKr3j8NVRzqletUv4Ee6FVs_mxWxI7SAKOGun9V-Gz-vPSq8BXLqB9JN8waEQTq80TSXdC0oGX8dxlbTCSqvHOIlC8cl08INVVh3VH-c5sBSPNCC0dXgSIIvqdAAkLcI/s1600/IMG_6411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxbep0TY83DAIKr3j8NVRzqletUv4Ee6FVs_mxWxI7SAKOGun9V-Gz-vPSq8BXLqB9JN8waEQTq80TSXdC0oGX8dxlbTCSqvHOIlC8cl08INVVh3VH-c5sBSPNCC0dXgSIIvqdAAkLcI/s1600/IMG_6411.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gila Woodpecker (female)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJGiQosExNXIghKgCckztPuz9fCOAUF3-4nCs2kIzAic2aAG-Qzsngag8218Asn7oMqdlmjz4NkUyKQvimGr2eKPRngrsiixEPRaBTVILU_ZRT23SyepAMIqSxJNgegJrzcIb3V2qwAU/s1600/IMG_6412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJGiQosExNXIghKgCckztPuz9fCOAUF3-4nCs2kIzAic2aAG-Qzsngag8218Asn7oMqdlmjz4NkUyKQvimGr2eKPRngrsiixEPRaBTVILU_ZRT23SyepAMIqSxJNgegJrzcIb3V2qwAU/s1600/IMG_6412.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curved-bill thrasher </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And to close this long post... I'll give the Creator of all these beauties the final word...<br />
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<span class="text Matt-6-26" id="en-ESV-23309"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">" </sup>Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet <u>your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?</u></span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-27" id="en-ESV-23310"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" </span></span><br />
(Matthew 6: 26-27) Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-4200866782250116052014-02-13T15:18:00.000-07:002014-02-13T16:02:39.009-07:00Sonoran WildflowersIt's spring in the desert, and it came a little early this year. I noticed wildflowers blooming in late January! I hoped we'd get another rainfall to extend the season, but now a few weeks later, we have not... so the wildflower season locally will be very short! I am trying to hike South Mountain multiple times per week to capture the fleeting show. This week temperatures will get into the high 80's... these tiny fragile blooms will be gone soon. There are more blooms to come, particularly the cactus, but here are those that are peaking now, many so tiny they go un-noticed by those who don't take the time to look closely. I am including the names of all the ones I can identify, am happy to have discovered some flowers this year, which I've never seen before.<br />
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My next post will be of flowers found in the flats, today (the 13th). And then, hopefully a post getting back to the colored pencil birds class. :) <br />
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These first photos (click on a photo to enlarge) were all taken on the11th, most from on the 'hillside' area of the preserve, where the terrain looks like this...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwJdaSVMe2lCqPPzj6eKjABJJyQdUMAqwqPbS7o-xF0-EwjVRKFwO3LKXZPDlwdv-ATo_gA_ROMSh_LRfpNUIOqlBxL9QsdYyYeyySkudnU2nQJqKIvMv_7Ih1Fga9wqYc59D-kKZ-d0/s1600/IMG_6187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwJdaSVMe2lCqPPzj6eKjABJJyQdUMAqwqPbS7o-xF0-EwjVRKFwO3LKXZPDlwdv-ATo_gA_ROMSh_LRfpNUIOqlBxL9QsdYyYeyySkudnU2nQJqKIvMv_7Ih1Fga9wqYc59D-kKZ-d0/s1600/IMG_6187.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The desert 'highland'. Estrella mountains in the distance. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM2JNNSSdhhieXzPRC-MGbWD_TxoxLkMcTU906MSW0sqkNh4SyhF_zHFb6mOUA1lfslox-8ONlRi4UwlOu4zdAZmiKSWKWs-LDKLlKq6rDqiCAKV6FcvsagbgjB5PKEeHYc-gW03QRGs/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM2JNNSSdhhieXzPRC-MGbWD_TxoxLkMcTU906MSW0sqkNh4SyhF_zHFb6mOUA1lfslox-8ONlRi4UwlOu4zdAZmiKSWKWs-LDKLlKq6rDqiCAKV6FcvsagbgjB5PKEeHYc-gW03QRGs/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" height="250" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiddle neck</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwj7SEGnig88Our5ytj80ER6nvRal5Z_OgobK_OJnXAYEdq6A60Mm9NQtyaARExzG3Zmtjyz_vnm7zxdI5zb3zL505KbD64OhGHcI-521VnzgZkR7PJ2mA-UwqmSsDcFH09WKlKEUAxI/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwj7SEGnig88Our5ytj80ER6nvRal5Z_OgobK_OJnXAYEdq6A60Mm9NQtyaARExzG3Zmtjyz_vnm7zxdI5zb3zL505KbD64OhGHcI-521VnzgZkR7PJ2mA-UwqmSsDcFH09WKlKEUAxI/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creosote (Most just beginning to open)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9n6EcC9pyJVKu3g8Hw-yzUePoqA5kINV2H-EeqCdOX6tQEWKo8M7NEcBXJxyDdz6ueEZ8HwWolhETP9Qsh04nI6MkNRDBZ56zkPpTWQ4VZnehC5dFnDZbMZAaMLuMvM-bJtVsczPZw4/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9n6EcC9pyJVKu3g8Hw-yzUePoqA5kINV2H-EeqCdOX6tQEWKo8M7NEcBXJxyDdz6ueEZ8HwWolhETP9Qsh04nI6MkNRDBZ56zkPpTWQ4VZnehC5dFnDZbMZAaMLuMvM-bJtVsczPZw4/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tiny bits of red caught my eye, and I learned this is... </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5O8mi0pu6f2-8qpTnoQBkHnHdsayPD0QTr5c7Bhmt8f_cVtgOZB5lYQgLvtHncGCYr5LYxrIOrBuCQBzX_JqBnxzzhuNhHrRG1uzjz7PH0eufCyPeZHuNRRt0SNEjs1d7ozqTJnem-c/s1600/IMG_1431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5O8mi0pu6f2-8qpTnoQBkHnHdsayPD0QTr5c7Bhmt8f_cVtgOZB5lYQgLvtHncGCYr5LYxrIOrBuCQBzX_JqBnxzzhuNhHrRG1uzjz7PH0eufCyPeZHuNRRt0SNEjs1d7ozqTJnem-c/s1600/IMG_1431.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devil's Spineflower (Chorizanthe rigida)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DrLBfWIE4NpwnG2x5rKiHeQIP5WBVvr08-huYI97IZyvPQ1CxgJDcz5d8CsIUW1FdK2DUdmpiGcME3M0LvkLEck8P0l2B9R15kkzhcMcKskuZPBptif6VExKqr2YsVrNhUwXpj0jjAY/s1600/IMG_6164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DrLBfWIE4NpwnG2x5rKiHeQIP5WBVvr08-huYI97IZyvPQ1CxgJDcz5d8CsIUW1FdK2DUdmpiGcME3M0LvkLEck8P0l2B9R15kkzhcMcKskuZPBptif6VExKqr2YsVrNhUwXpj0jjAY/s1600/IMG_6164.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coulter's Lupine (few to be found this year)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kPTt45Jo0BkyuxhnxKcSJ4KhD-hSXKYty2tmomDTyeLEecSswlSln2NmNz0Jw_RUEbu1b73KLeyF3oZtb7wSE30b2pNUEMWqhY6LrbgCs9hIuGLoPGAFyoNIPbzMrGHUlZs3-TJxJos/s1600/IMG_6168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kPTt45Jo0BkyuxhnxKcSJ4KhD-hSXKYty2tmomDTyeLEecSswlSln2NmNz0Jw_RUEbu1b73KLeyF3oZtb7wSE30b2pNUEMWqhY6LrbgCs9hIuGLoPGAFyoNIPbzMrGHUlZs3-TJxJos/s1600/IMG_6168.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phacelia, also known as... </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8p9m7KxEiG8ORvthDvRqn0zL6mk4NQdSfmvQ-p_GD4c7BS82TTLGq47pjW2tGqimI2DjIxuTVKsMjyogDsb316qiHyr_lPJrv9prIFI5oeulL0pudD8yaHf6APfgJAzItZTWb89YIAg/s1600/IMG_6171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8p9m7KxEiG8ORvthDvRqn0zL6mk4NQdSfmvQ-p_GD4c7BS82TTLGq47pjW2tGqimI2DjIxuTVKsMjyogDsb316qiHyr_lPJrv9prIFI5oeulL0pudD8yaHf6APfgJAzItZTWb89YIAg/s1600/IMG_6171.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scorpion weed. The bee helps to show size. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46DjakaH-l652vt6soRqLO130pBVGnUoPRO6dVkD0Y-YBN2-FXVepWsuRwtk5lHiEuocsJiJe6V2QGwbNV6halhWYoPOwaZPuclcDc5h9boknhKwKLrMPGMiL39_v0jz3_shhpSPqxec/s1600/IMG_6178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46DjakaH-l652vt6soRqLO130pBVGnUoPRO6dVkD0Y-YBN2-FXVepWsuRwtk5lHiEuocsJiJe6V2QGwbNV6halhWYoPOwaZPuclcDc5h9boknhKwKLrMPGMiL39_v0jz3_shhpSPqxec/s1600/IMG_6178.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emory Rock Daisy (Perityle emoryi)
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaRIDZRqV7XHBbvfJw3fMy7bTsIVhBpc5jxmwTd8tL8IjDWjAalbxeAkXNpHLcidXrg0Mjba3Q5rPHmPz6XpFhJdyg1iQ8oo8V1jzggjmh-K7QepYHIyi_zHM2gkAkgaqrJI_aNpXw8o/s1600/IMG_6182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaRIDZRqV7XHBbvfJw3fMy7bTsIVhBpc5jxmwTd8tL8IjDWjAalbxeAkXNpHLcidXrg0Mjba3Q5rPHmPz6XpFhJdyg1iQ8oo8V1jzggjmh-K7QepYHIyi_zHM2gkAkgaqrJI_aNpXw8o/s1600/IMG_6182.JPG" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Suncup (Camissonia californica)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEXn4KiLmZRYLbGkLIrK9pEr2HUnCJE15Cf6iXnAV6ULGP5db0mcyHnKzGL_rdwWeBUeeXWFR2CciTZwpjyKhvOUeOntOJnS-TPm2OVgEeZdxiVdbbkxlneHGgw0A9yDqfygmFzeU_N8/s1600/IMG_6192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEXn4KiLmZRYLbGkLIrK9pEr2HUnCJE15Cf6iXnAV6ULGP5db0mcyHnKzGL_rdwWeBUeeXWFR2CciTZwpjyKhvOUeOntOJnS-TPm2OVgEeZdxiVdbbkxlneHGgw0A9yDqfygmFzeU_N8/s1600/IMG_6192.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one fascinated me...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gQUVtgSzY_8OvBNw9aaGDhAcQp3Qks4PEVBJ81uB20rvtTU8y6KYB7nx2wuRamHKGghfi-jekBF7BSLfoD69wxO1EBMlw6elXDRa3T__qPPw27xV6bfUtR2qrQN92NFz59E3OJwHjyo/s1600/IMG_6195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gQUVtgSzY_8OvBNw9aaGDhAcQp3Qks4PEVBJ81uB20rvtTU8y6KYB7nx2wuRamHKGghfi-jekBF7BSLfoD69wxO1EBMlw6elXDRa3T__qPPw27xV6bfUtR2qrQN92NFz59E3OJwHjyo/s1600/IMG_6195.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another newly learned one for me; Desert Indianwheat (Plantago ovata)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BqJwO4yLKm5HqRp6gR1iIdezNkA95ArRmgRfPDdaSRMrOo5v8MmRvEumHr2i4SCOlSxqvv7rIPsG6avKoEOuxLXicXeLuplZKHMHaRo5yYfkxWqVZOihtQjBiseSPWYd9SnjmUVGGYU/s1600/IMG_6197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BqJwO4yLKm5HqRp6gR1iIdezNkA95ArRmgRfPDdaSRMrOo5v8MmRvEumHr2i4SCOlSxqvv7rIPsG6avKoEOuxLXicXeLuplZKHMHaRo5yYfkxWqVZOihtQjBiseSPWYd9SnjmUVGGYU/s1600/IMG_6197.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is also a small specimen! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObdNfBWJku12hCPgntpGqII9lEdwZuv9__hxp0WmayzNK4fJIh0Y-0EJt7CI69lHAFDg6xJjJwR-ikTEdseo0ZV3ki6mKhM3in8MBC6BRg_1erxDohE-EovxQUYQmk1y4mC1RjXhV4nM/s1600/IMG_6199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObdNfBWJku12hCPgntpGqII9lEdwZuv9__hxp0WmayzNK4fJIh0Y-0EJt7CI69lHAFDg6xJjJwR-ikTEdseo0ZV3ki6mKhM3in8MBC6BRg_1erxDohE-EovxQUYQmk1y4mC1RjXhV4nM/s1600/IMG_6199.JPG" height="228" width="320" /><span id="goog_1944640753"></span><span id="goog_1944640754"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiddle neck framing notch leafed phacelia (scorpionweed)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1944640750"></span><span id="goog_1944640751"></span></td></tr>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-76474976352034036272014-02-08T09:10:00.000-07:002014-02-08T09:11:26.901-07:00FeatherPart 2 of Lesson 1 was to begin test driving the use of a single colored pencil (Prismacolor Premier artist grade - dark umber, to be precise) to create marks producing texture. The Dark-Umber pencil will be used to create the 'under drawings' for most of the work in this class. A sort of under the other colors, value sketch, if you will. Colored pencils are waxed based, and as such, they don't really 'erase'... so you'd better be sure of your placement before you start slapping on lines. ;) <br />
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Provided with a sharp photograph of a single feather, we were to draw it with the dark umber pencil. Here's my result, along with the reference photo...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJdnjK42wWjWmyC0Ir0rZLOlJg5qm3TRX-dmgOqEnr6SmYc_lbIBH1r6MBquWBMzxHJiTeAoMXrVFqu0uhq1_6jEIvnEG6mBMzNG-z-N0b2X8LYbUb0L2Mk1nRS5YndEzegMyllC4qYA/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJdnjK42wWjWmyC0Ir0rZLOlJg5qm3TRX-dmgOqEnr6SmYc_lbIBH1r6MBquWBMzxHJiTeAoMXrVFqu0uhq1_6jEIvnEG6mBMzNG-z-N0b2X8LYbUb0L2Mk1nRS5YndEzegMyllC4qYA/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was a nice quiet exercise I enjoyed very much. It helps that I love feathers. I collect them from nature, which is apparently illegal in the USA... I'm not catching birds and assaulting them, for goodness sake. If God drops a feather treasure in my path, I consider it a gift. ;) Apparently the state believes I should let it blow into the gutter and become a soiled bit of gunk. So, there you have it, I am a confessed criminal. I have a beautifully shaped jar of small feathers, in various patterns, to which I've tied a rustic tag with Proverbs 15:1 written out...<br />
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A soft answer turns away wrath.<br />
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The hope is to remind myself to speak words that are light, soft and gentle. Something I often need reminding of. Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-44175403523891708502014-02-08T08:42:00.002-07:002014-02-08T08:53:18.575-07:00Perhaps A Return Happy 2014! <br />
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I'm taking the semester off from teaching any art classes, focusing on pursuing classes and inspiration for my own artistic growth. I'm praying much over direction for myself, in regards to my art, my time, my life. Some things I assumed would 'work' recently, have not... so I'm asking my Creator to show me what I'm to be about in this season. <br />
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Currently, I've enrolled in an online colored pencil course for drawing birds... it's got some flexibility to work at your own pace which is nice. I took it because I love the teacher's artwork, and because I haven't worked much in colored pencil, not since elementary school anyway! This medium requires slowing down and careful observation to draw realistically. I need a strong foundation of understanding the actual form and details before being able to move into looser, stylized renderings of birds (which is more my desire, in the long run). So, from here I hope to have learned more about how birds are actually put together, in order to make more accurate, but eventually looser images. I'm not very far into the lessons yet. I intend to post my work, lesson by lesson here as a record. Not sure anyone is still out there looking in, but if you are... hello! :) <br />
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Part 1 of Lesson 1, was to do quick sketches, under 10 minutes each, of an assortment of birds with a #2 pencil. The exercise of gesture sketching is always beneficial for capturing accurate rough shapes... these light sketchy initial lines are then firmed up with as much detail as one can add in the remaining moments. Clear reference photos were provided to work from. <br />
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-7156208913688958102013-10-20T12:40:00.001-07:002013-10-20T12:54:46.667-07:00Mistakes as Learning ToolsSo this fall I just have one little painting class I'm teaching. Two of the students took painting last year, and our media was watercolor and neocolor II pastels. So this year we switched to Acrylics so they could learn a medium which will be more similar to the classic... oils. (Oils are too time intensive and messy for traveling back and forth with materials, this is not a big school where we can store materials, the students have to take their supplies home to complete homework)<br />
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I've never used acrylics in a classical painting sense. Lots of decorative painting in acrylics, and wall murals, but not with artist quality acrylics on canvas. It's been challenging, and fun, I'm learning as much or more than the children (students are all in early teens).<br />
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The painting we completed in our 2.5 hour class this week was not much of a success as far as resulting in a painting I'd be proud of, but it did teach me much.<br />
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I did 2 versions... the first to familiarize myself with the exercise and to break it down into teachable steps. The second time demonstrating it to the students as they followed along making their own versions.<br />
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I used a free painting lesson found on Will Kemp's website (he's a fabulous teacher!), he offers the resource photo as a free download and 5 videos of himself teaching and completing the painting step by step. So thankful that I discovered his website, it helped me decide on a palette for the class which would not be overwhelming, over priced and give us lots of flexibility. Here's his website; <a href="http://willkempartschool.com/">http://willkempartschool.com/</a><br />
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So here are my (sad) results... version one at left, version 2 in the middle and the reference photo at right...<br />
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In the first version I was pleased with the clouds, hated my water and felt so so about my wet beach reflection. In the second I am less pleased with the clouds, not much more pleased with my water, but happier with my wet beach. By placing them next to one another along with the reference photo I can quickly see what I could have done to improve each version. I overworked my water in the first and it feels lumpy and solid...it's coming forward too much. The colors are off. In the second it may be slightly improved, but still overworked and doesn't have any movement. If I had done a more general, loosely stroked sea... paying better attention to the values and lines of the photo it would greatly improve the sea. I can paint right over those crummy bodies of water and try to get it right (yeah acrylics!), and I may.<br />
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Mr Kemp's version is WAY different than mine... more impressionistic and clearly less overworked, resulting in a more painterly version. Have a peek here; <a href="http://willkempartschool.com/acrylic-landscape-painting-techniques-lessons-for-an-absolute-beginner-part-4/">Sunset Landscape by Will Kemp</a>. I haven't been able to get comfortable with that style of art. (I lean more toward realism, but am trying to become more flexible. I've had better success with doing that in watercolor, simply because it's less forgiving than acrylics, so you have to stop before you ruin things. Ha ha) It's lovely to watch him paint with such ease, and talking while working too, that's not an easy feat. <br /><br />It will be interesting to see my student's finished paintings when they return. We weren't able to completely finish them in class. <br />
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So... crummy paintings are a big part of learning to paint, and are valuable. If you stop because you aren't able to achieve the desired result (the first time, or 2nd or 3rd), you will not move forward in your skills. (obviously!)You must not be discouraged with failures, but see them as learning tools, enjoy the process and allow yourself to feel good about the parts that worked and the poor bits to help you discover new techniques and learn perseverance. Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-11135856916145863602013-08-08T16:32:00.002-07:002013-08-08T16:32:38.231-07:00Things that fade... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Paintings fade too...<br />
Not so, the Words of God. Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-24105828248392075342013-08-07T14:01:00.001-07:002014-02-08T08:47:29.888-07:00Recipe for Becoming a Lonely Soul, or as Christ said a 'Wicked Servant'. <h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">If
a person cannot learn forgiveness (their need to forgive others and their need
to be forgiven) as a necessary and practically constant way of life,
they will never feel like they belong and are a part of a family or a
community. Honesty, truth, vulnerability, give and take, respect,
allowing for different opinions, convictions and choices are all
important... but people are sinners and sinners always and repeatedly
offend one another, sometimes intentionally and sometimes quite by
accident. We must be willing to deal with offenses according to God's
word, which is in a forthright and healthy manner and then, no matter
the result, let them go. If a person cannot or will not do this they
will ultimately live in an emotional lonely-land, nursing eternal grudges. That is a
life of self-torture. <br /><br />Humans are easily offended, yet when it comes to our own carelessness, unkindness or sharp words, we often cut ourselves great slack and make excuses. We seldom extend that same light treatment to those who offend us. (Jesus' brilliant speck and log illustration comes to mind)<br /><br />It is actually frightening how many verses there are commanding us to forgive others. Verses promising God's action toward us if we fail to heed the command. Here are a mere two. <br /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"> "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." </span></span></span></span></span></span></h5>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"> Ephesians 4:32</span></span></span></span></span></span></h5>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"></span></span><span class="woc selected">"...Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.</span> <span class="woc"><span class="">And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’</span></span> <span class="woc"><span class="">And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,</span><span class="footnote"><a class="fn" href="http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew+18/#f11-1" id="fb11-1"><span class=""></span></a></span> <span class="">until he should pay all his debt.</span></span> <span class="woc"><span class="">So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother </span><span class="">from your heart.”</span></span> </span></span></span></span></h5>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Matthew 18... go on, read the whole chapter. ;) Then act on it what you've learned. If not, you are choosing loneliness and wickedness... no one else is at fault. </span></span></span></span></h5>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-48861526314969547722013-06-22T13:17:00.002-07:002014-03-19T13:08:31.622-07:00A little trip continued ~ Metropolitan Museum of Art<div style="text-align: center;">
These few posts about our trip are probably boring as sitting in a corner to all but me! So feel free to breeze past! ;) </div>
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Still on day one.... after meeting up with Jesse in mid-town, we had some good Thai (Thai @ Lex) from one of the gazillion hole in the wall joints to be found in NYC we headed to The Met. I really cannot do justice in describing the MASSIVE nature of the Metropolitan Museum... you could easily go here every day for a few days in a row and not see everything... you could perhaps, walk through every exhibit in a few days. It's truly jaw dropping in it's scope as well as in the incredibly intimate proximity you can have with masterpieces of art, architecture, statuary, artifacts and much much much more. To stand next to ancient masterpiece from the Bronze Age (2000 bc), and not even have any type of partition between oneself and the artifact is hard to believe. There are many pieces behind Plexiglas cases (most of which are accessible from all sides) but so many things are simply standing in a large space where one can walk right up to to it to examine and admire. I hope my pictures will convey a teensy sampling of what you can find at The Met. We spent several hours and walked and walked and walked... and read and read and read, and were A M A Z E D over and over. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek Pottery, 7th Century BC</td></tr>
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Look Ma.. no barricade, guess it's not too valuable at thousands of years old! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzKUTUTn2xC_WXTV-ZyzPqL0LUCoaqd8v2Wshu7sYMfZbmX4ItUlkYuRAbKNtrc3pSrv3VOsJ2Kz30ineRjwc5dHPaMFeYiRXJRrPIFm7sOcsAgPBZQ3neDmTc_rMjWG_YVbQ2q65lwA/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzKUTUTn2xC_WXTV-ZyzPqL0LUCoaqd8v2Wshu7sYMfZbmX4ItUlkYuRAbKNtrc3pSrv3VOsJ2Kz30ineRjwc5dHPaMFeYiRXJRrPIFm7sOcsAgPBZQ3neDmTc_rMjWG_YVbQ2q65lwA/s400/IMG_0513.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronze helmet and nik naks, didn't get date, but they were BC</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhs2FuADd1X0grIENFQWIsaKi7PdHLYI59fTR0D32w7uRTJYQxBhQZ_E5_5VOCCnaik4AeKoyEfFWzSnKm-3I7XOFiXbSIClAOlUdoBaDfzQySUu-Yq7Gadu2VGIdJMHrW5dvNEBzY2w/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhs2FuADd1X0grIENFQWIsaKi7PdHLYI59fTR0D32w7uRTJYQxBhQZ_E5_5VOCCnaik4AeKoyEfFWzSnKm-3I7XOFiXbSIClAOlUdoBaDfzQySUu-Yq7Gadu2VGIdJMHrW5dvNEBzY2w/s400/IMG_0509.JPG" height="400" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman torso, marble 1st Century AD</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_VPIxDw0Sdfpp6y-BOAkPpxZUwNTa6MWrfLkVaXp8Q6NubmE41qyEHQVN5QP1tz5RJ31gUXsZ7r-LkgS1U4JlAYcr00JkMtDU7LvL0xNLpxBpejZbuIQm2H-Kk2q_a6I3sOD0Rg7XZg/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_VPIxDw0Sdfpp6y-BOAkPpxZUwNTa6MWrfLkVaXp8Q6NubmE41qyEHQVN5QP1tz5RJ31gUXsZ7r-LkgS1U4JlAYcr00JkMtDU7LvL0xNLpxBpejZbuIQm2H-Kk2q_a6I3sOD0Rg7XZg/s400/IMG_0515.JPG" height="400" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See what I mean, don't bump things! </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEK22Zpm6x5q4H-J-XIc0kD9lQKwC1sHeNv4Xt233LCv2yJ7JBZ83VZl15qIbFznpBua4v9WZw1zwnEN-syqo9HQlgC2405Hcns6OcyJsGh-wTShHUvswAuwamYOiA4ET4HDfNmGHg22Y/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEK22Zpm6x5q4H-J-XIc0kD9lQKwC1sHeNv4Xt233LCv2yJ7JBZ83VZl15qIbFznpBua4v9WZw1zwnEN-syqo9HQlgC2405Hcns6OcyJsGh-wTShHUvswAuwamYOiA4ET4HDfNmGHg22Y/s400/IMG_0518.JPG" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek 4th Century BC</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42cxGZ2Y-ctrrsDkGDrqXFf5Fsg6uhP7u0USe7D9ASQVDQIUbw0B8Gj4ls-CmefRBL-Q4kCCXDJZnTvlj18LK78G7p74EivoEZgEHZV9eGAQEtB5lPuLHp0DgRvjfmspK5hpPT5kFkhw/s1600/IMG_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42cxGZ2Y-ctrrsDkGDrqXFf5Fsg6uhP7u0USe7D9ASQVDQIUbw0B8Gj4ls-CmefRBL-Q4kCCXDJZnTvlj18LK78G7p74EivoEZgEHZV9eGAQEtB5lPuLHp0DgRvjfmspK5hpPT5kFkhw/s400/IMG_0516.JPG" height="400" width="271" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd618mXxY-n2jVYOW5qS0GN3UmtEte1vzP2U2T2f3Mc50vRhnD6ZtY98rp1kBkXCBYW4yFFlNuRErSO1Xjt3JcT7BQue7SUOwaC86W5Sor2zq9LxAGCcUCaI7uIfM6XugmCHy1t_2QZ8I/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd618mXxY-n2jVYOW5qS0GN3UmtEte1vzP2U2T2f3Mc50vRhnD6ZtY98rp1kBkXCBYW4yFFlNuRErSO1Xjt3JcT7BQue7SUOwaC86W5Sor2zq9LxAGCcUCaI7uIfM6XugmCHy1t_2QZ8I/s400/IMG_0519.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haunting statue remains.... (Greek 4th Century BC)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDTTK90SL16Y1372sqyPWGNKqRmz5DWbJx4tjq_RejvaH4fmdq4Qtx2aZzJDZmOKnz37u2Lk73X0R74s534pn1VT7CFMw6dyWVU1VV8R5D522-TjdJCXA9gBuoiJ8Z3q3CRdBJ2omttA/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDTTK90SL16Y1372sqyPWGNKqRmz5DWbJx4tjq_RejvaH4fmdq4Qtx2aZzJDZmOKnz37u2Lk73X0R74s534pn1VT7CFMw6dyWVU1VV8R5D522-TjdJCXA9gBuoiJ8Z3q3CRdBJ2omttA/s400/IMG_0520.JPG" height="400" width="245" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-rR8TFGA02_wzu-HjhD_cwWaTEq6VWtVeodvdVzHV3ANIr3_BDqQry2UiDpOWHI2UvPdmR90tIEdM2iTz5e_CmOkDNXte2ay6zbBYFIio0UjI7V6TamAkplIRfk26GRyUrsq2BNft7c/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-rR8TFGA02_wzu-HjhD_cwWaTEq6VWtVeodvdVzHV3ANIr3_BDqQry2UiDpOWHI2UvPdmR90tIEdM2iTz5e_CmOkDNXte2ay6zbBYFIio0UjI7V6TamAkplIRfk26GRyUrsq2BNft7c/s400/IMG_0521.JPG" height="400" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Bronze 'The Boxer' is a special exhibit, not permanent. Fascinating info; <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2013/the-boxer">http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2013/the-boxer</a><br />
Pardon the immodest angle, didn't notice at the time... really!!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih31IyyRlW7DUOkZ4bWDyKW3h0ROeDmSJMpUB0T2UIxBypABMRv-eFaYUiwB35-y8fMwhuAwGfUk-ej3mHURkMzVcdxj1tTQO1bPs0zrC71LuB5zzd_311_jvWauAICqXJzgQWLWeJW9s/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih31IyyRlW7DUOkZ4bWDyKW3h0ROeDmSJMpUB0T2UIxBypABMRv-eFaYUiwB35-y8fMwhuAwGfUk-ej3mHURkMzVcdxj1tTQO1bPs0zrC71LuB5zzd_311_jvWauAICqXJzgQWLWeJW9s/s400/IMG_0523.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you didn't click on the link, please do...it's really interesting. This bronze was saved from destruction from the barbarian invasion by burying it... wasn't rediscovered till the 1800s... <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2013/the-boxer">http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2013/the-boxer</a></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_z6DA6mfwdvQqd-GK0Frnq3dTwB90wo7Y8DHY2HhvoEzyn76kxng2qK0gOqWtuq7_CtFU2eNISwZqiiawEEAx3rVrZUQzoSmsRZBAfy5vvJ6cHeGBjtLKqiqy5ghlp54dti_w2rv1sc/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_z6DA6mfwdvQqd-GK0Frnq3dTwB90wo7Y8DHY2HhvoEzyn76kxng2qK0gOqWtuq7_CtFU2eNISwZqiiawEEAx3rVrZUQzoSmsRZBAfy5vvJ6cHeGBjtLKqiqy5ghlp54dti_w2rv1sc/s400/IMG_0524.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved this girl with deer. :) </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZK150EUORB87UVjskOFW_ClMj5naU2Q70qjqBz_JR3EJjuO_pigLyEP7eMmwHCXrm-BtGYkQ8xxXM54axNR5sDGOGheKHxK-MRUsXSfXFYHt1e2XLda8P6R7sEla1ZRjy8lbtVyrhzU/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZK150EUORB87UVjskOFW_ClMj5naU2Q70qjqBz_JR3EJjuO_pigLyEP7eMmwHCXrm-BtGYkQ8xxXM54axNR5sDGOGheKHxK-MRUsXSfXFYHt1e2XLda8P6R7sEla1ZRjy8lbtVyrhzU/s400/IMG_0526.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look... oak leaves and acorns, a lasting design element! </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWuJ5V-a_8A4zlcDDcZz_kh1vREPSH9H3SiKvaIpJN6vlchxvZuMsypxoksPIBNXBUOYVVreRxUrAt-uz1__ixO-LnQTX6XTnZvRgxkWtKigy33iJtUhRCencFNRgifjP-_cMmWsx3bY/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWuJ5V-a_8A4zlcDDcZz_kh1vREPSH9H3SiKvaIpJN6vlchxvZuMsypxoksPIBNXBUOYVVreRxUrAt-uz1__ixO-LnQTX6XTnZvRgxkWtKigy33iJtUhRCencFNRgifjP-_cMmWsx3bY/s400/IMG_0529.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess why he is looking up? Because it's Emperor Constantine I, looking to the Savior (we hope the conversion was sincere) , marble head, 320 ad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5NqB1BVD102nSZYJsIVTnRlKEKXZqV9fp0IvA7ZgkdqarisTKShFklK6kbcUDkJA1z0Q6SAiXyYe7gAITgrNC6DzrLBDAW-z1hYja-AeqnOs70Jb3kFsUB_MreFWAPftAGwpPlisJOg/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5NqB1BVD102nSZYJsIVTnRlKEKXZqV9fp0IvA7ZgkdqarisTKShFklK6kbcUDkJA1z0Q6SAiXyYe7gAITgrNC6DzrLBDAW-z1hYja-AeqnOs70Jb3kFsUB_MreFWAPftAGwpPlisJOg/s400/IMG_0532.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMG the artwork! American painter, Edward Hooper 1930s</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGpmp7672ftDfnFHNk_uH9Rim6-Y51RNWVFk1BJSO_hSx7c7arSADirLxlJXMTqYgzAVBMDfoBaTQZtcvBB3-Lhdyq2U8nIpvbtkrCpqXgPcwYMZnYv8WGqe4mqr9qLmjod3okSBKuyM/s1600/IMG_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGpmp7672ftDfnFHNk_uH9Rim6-Y51RNWVFk1BJSO_hSx7c7arSADirLxlJXMTqYgzAVBMDfoBaTQZtcvBB3-Lhdyq2U8nIpvbtkrCpqXgPcwYMZnYv8WGqe4mqr9qLmjod3okSBKuyM/s400/IMG_0534.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Georgia O Keefe! (more paintings coming up!)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlv3zrloBKj67HOz-Smw2C04uVdEr8ljkP8bh0m6RD8YfN8WyC68r1zqUgFFOtDD9kIXX9ordrXAf0ZRuzujnhMxyMWR-d7j2NNa6tauZheX0s9ZAcQ_h7MecDRXtpJs29dQTbN-QkLE/s1600/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlv3zrloBKj67HOz-Smw2C04uVdEr8ljkP8bh0m6RD8YfN8WyC68r1zqUgFFOtDD9kIXX9ordrXAf0ZRuzujnhMxyMWR-d7j2NNa6tauZheX0s9ZAcQ_h7MecDRXtpJs29dQTbN-QkLE/s400/IMG_0536.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large marble table with intricate, beautiful details....curled hair, cloth, floral wreath... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphyphenhyphenivOgOWCkQqH0astw_oP3MDwE3uWxrgXZ9BWz7D8MjSQp13L5gQ4O_IkJeq6EmbrMTptzGe5X7IBqOwUM-GF9SxbWXsbgDA7mas7tDAkPku_SV1bWMdWjH6lGLe5jFyQx9qIL_JpJw/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphyphenhyphenivOgOWCkQqH0astw_oP3MDwE3uWxrgXZ9BWz7D8MjSQp13L5gQ4O_IkJeq6EmbrMTptzGe5X7IBqOwUM-GF9SxbWXsbgDA7mas7tDAkPku_SV1bWMdWjH6lGLe5jFyQx9qIL_JpJw/s400/IMG_0537.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of the same marble table, beautiful proportion, hands, feet, spilled bowl and notice the zodiac symbols around the table's edge. Imagine the talent and time involved in carving and polishing this. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRyKfYLVMngKVAiHDwNciX4UiVc7k1o8Xj_cxSgAr0hxEAJto2E_mGggu1-1O9yLCSjmj5a8XxZp3nBa4XEUw_dX2PLgGANFw7lbdPC-2yYgk5ufr8HyfhP5ynk_vHOmzQZUN-Wdl0WM/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRyKfYLVMngKVAiHDwNciX4UiVc7k1o8Xj_cxSgAr0hxEAJto2E_mGggu1-1O9yLCSjmj5a8XxZp3nBa4XEUw_dX2PLgGANFw7lbdPC-2yYgk5ufr8HyfhP5ynk_vHOmzQZUN-Wdl0WM/s400/IMG_0539.JPG" height="320" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful expression... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOl_EjhODUfa1tGQ9PdaByDRLtPRiMqBwLuZcVHQEnZBm5KkFQOz4BgkkDIaOqX_Ya7xWgO7QYIjvj-ZBGhoG3apiFALf5lHIjFGxytXRjIJnIGfhVL_KTIQrFeLkrcwf5a8CpGvhfHk/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOl_EjhODUfa1tGQ9PdaByDRLtPRiMqBwLuZcVHQEnZBm5KkFQOz4BgkkDIaOqX_Ya7xWgO7QYIjvj-ZBGhoG3apiFALf5lHIjFGxytXRjIJnIGfhVL_KTIQrFeLkrcwf5a8CpGvhfHk/s400/IMG_0541.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ron walking around an old greek god... ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2cFbvFaohbcqffDSaRnjUlv8LFR6g2nyBdbj71JNcx8tPTMRF3RGaFmpMwZrPvvsbGfUOUvJFKIJTGwt146_aD3ZGzQww8sU5uNBwV6of13lP3Og6Fq1l0YHaPLglV5mBjozIkpM9r0/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2cFbvFaohbcqffDSaRnjUlv8LFR6g2nyBdbj71JNcx8tPTMRF3RGaFmpMwZrPvvsbGfUOUvJFKIJTGwt146_aD3ZGzQww8sU5uNBwV6of13lP3Og6Fq1l0YHaPLglV5mBjozIkpM9r0/s400/IMG_0542.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, you just have to get over the blatant displays of nakedness in these statues. They are true to the greek myths from which the subject matter comes. Still this statue of Perseus with the head of Medusa is a magnificent piece of art! 1804 by Antonio Canova<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0hkDKCr6C53h_CEXDpgaprJhB7ZW3AVi5wjFTXlV8Gzz4hktj76_D-d-3jSnMQkv-2K9ogW3wSb4r9npv7eYhBvtP96r2uX8_JcM65_D0rCa6w0f3yYTVZqZLFq_HERaYD18awJu9R8/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0hkDKCr6C53h_CEXDpgaprJhB7ZW3AVi5wjFTXlV8Gzz4hktj76_D-d-3jSnMQkv-2K9ogW3wSb4r9npv7eYhBvtP96r2uX8_JcM65_D0rCa6w0f3yYTVZqZLFq_HERaYD18awJu9R8/s400/IMG_0545.JPG" height="400" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sit down and have a chat with Pharoah, he dressed more modestly. ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv5VI2uwkjssekiKrPgSRbw9dDb3Fy4N7lfvBnIEZmVoQFq52gSEdhcOUMlV1g7K76WKIV-ARHVk9UFU8CwfBQnQvmvnLRbivezofXicigPGSCigeXCpIPU1pSs-tDYwfdtIVM56nOI8/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv5VI2uwkjssekiKrPgSRbw9dDb3Fy4N7lfvBnIEZmVoQFq52gSEdhcOUMlV1g7K76WKIV-ARHVk9UFU8CwfBQnQvmvnLRbivezofXicigPGSCigeXCpIPU1pSs-tDYwfdtIVM56nOI8/s400/IMG_0546.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Egyptian collections at The Met are breathtaking. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQszUhvr9dfs129zMH2UKEt9hAFb_3u_nT1UPnErwSHhKgkRpmv9wuwjYnmDJ2nEgJ3ccbZgNN8Q9dDjAN9TDkG-pTYppAJq-gJGg404miMa7mV3nPspHkszJpB9eUyM5aU1T5TKUGl74/s1600/IMG_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQszUhvr9dfs129zMH2UKEt9hAFb_3u_nT1UPnErwSHhKgkRpmv9wuwjYnmDJ2nEgJ3ccbZgNN8Q9dDjAN9TDkG-pTYppAJq-gJGg404miMa7mV3nPspHkszJpB9eUyM5aU1T5TKUGl74/s400/IMG_0547.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exit? No way. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdLmpPxuid_1Iw8Zbb6ln_-qNlrIGDe-PA2w76N47pQagXDn5refRvQR2PFGCOM951pmELUWxUk7wJnbXfIT6nsDEEKDGS9jDkTqgmxU7w9sFL9VXK1rk08LQbIb2PLi_y95H1dfqPzs/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdLmpPxuid_1Iw8Zbb6ln_-qNlrIGDe-PA2w76N47pQagXDn5refRvQR2PFGCOM951pmELUWxUk7wJnbXfIT6nsDEEKDGS9jDkTqgmxU7w9sFL9VXK1rk08LQbIb2PLi_y95H1dfqPzs/s400/IMG_0552.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many intricate small nik naks were buried with royalty in their tombs. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrg30GQeQUHQ4diaUJOy9r_bNdSz1XrfYilKpBPtPTxJ3bEhMcs-1cf0XjefxgacPl6CxqhgZqUrVAFDH7xfXGP8GQQsPGg5m_ZRXAEFsun2xjKkn0jM2l3_ABqDbaYKn06emW8rYXAJM/s1600/IMG_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrg30GQeQUHQ4diaUJOy9r_bNdSz1XrfYilKpBPtPTxJ3bEhMcs-1cf0XjefxgacPl6CxqhgZqUrVAFDH7xfXGP8GQQsPGg5m_ZRXAEFsun2xjKkn0jM2l3_ABqDbaYKn06emW8rYXAJM/s400/IMG_0554.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted mud-plaster ceiling fragment from the palace of Amenhotep III, 18th Dynasty, 1300's BC. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNexv8b6vSGVQw4ACJgNiHJK8zM0xrMKPZD-VolcUCtHKW9eW4okE2KP2aA13naLnn1kF0VExFjcKHUhbUQvYbt7FnFf9nUJ7xf3CzIfAgKuKRRcuPeyiR1_Jc-STPcePH0b5iuPz6lwM/s1600/IMG_0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNexv8b6vSGVQw4ACJgNiHJK8zM0xrMKPZD-VolcUCtHKW9eW4okE2KP2aA13naLnn1kF0VExFjcKHUhbUQvYbt7FnFf9nUJ7xf3CzIfAgKuKRRcuPeyiR1_Jc-STPcePH0b5iuPz6lwM/s400/IMG_0544.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original reward/wanted poster from Lincoln's assassination.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFZ1Gy-iWPY4mmmYV8T-2_UCwv-dR2XZoRcDKYCAt6-iwSItVZMeshgBMfTdU4int1xdFHJN_mhPhzoNs3hEHCuYag1OC7Qijj4p2DUVLrfyWqukWhspZjWwoRe3GOiLLM5UXU0tkXCg/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFZ1Gy-iWPY4mmmYV8T-2_UCwv-dR2XZoRcDKYCAt6-iwSItVZMeshgBMfTdU4int1xdFHJN_mhPhzoNs3hEHCuYag1OC7Qijj4p2DUVLrfyWqukWhspZjWwoRe3GOiLLM5UXU0tkXCg/s400/IMG_0543.JPG" height="390" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally... Christ the Redeemer. Italian marble 1600s. (most Christendom antiquities are housed at The Cloisters, another part of the Met, on the other end of Manhattan. Photos from that trip are coming in their own post.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">I'm about HALFWAY through my Met shots, and have omitted dozens (really!). More coming later. ;) </span><br />
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-24709302034319235962013-06-17T16:47:00.004-07:002014-03-19T13:07:07.019-07:00Changes and a short trip to Manhattan. Recently life has been full of (even more) Changes...<br />
Re-entry to the workforce for me (after 30ish years)! This has been interesting, hard, but good. It is still a situation in flux. But a huge change for me, which has taken away much of my 'free time' and thus, my blog has lain dormant.<br />
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A totally quiet and empty 'nest' as our hound has recently joined the departed. Petey grew suddenly old and ill in April and we needed to usher him into doggie after-life, whatever that may be. My hope is he is awaiting us in heavenly mansions.... unlikely, but one hopes. ;) (Good thing I'm working, or that would have been harder than it was, and it was plenty grievous!)<br />
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And a short Trip!<br />
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Our youngest son is remaining in his 'College Town' for summer to work and continue course work, so we made a plan to go and visit him so it wouldn't be a full year till we see him again. We flew across the country to Newark NJ and then took the train across to the 'big apple', little island of Manhattan. We had only been there briefly, when we checked out the University. So we gave ourselves a whopping 5 days this time. Ha ha! <br />
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The train from NJ deposited us right at the World Trade Center, next to, and in the shadow of the new, gleaming, still under construction Freedom Tower (one of 4 buildings that are being built to replace the terrorist attacked Twin Towers. I love that chutzpah... you take down 2, we'll put up 4! Another interesting fact is that the Freedom tower is exactly 1776 feet high. Cool, huh?) Our son, Jess's financial district apartment is a just short walk from the tip of Manhattan and the 9-11 memorial. It was early evening, but we are so far north that it doesn't get dark until well after 8 pm... some scattered clouds signal coming rain storms. It was a dramatic entry into this historic and significant slice of land! We dropped our bags at the apartment and set off on foot to find a local restaurant... It began to rain and we wound up at a wharf, and mostly closed establishments... eventually we found a sea-food place, above which is a shopping center and upon going up there we found a lively Cuban Nouveau restaurant that turned out to be simply fabulous. Amazing food! Well worth the hunt. <a href="http://www.cabanarestaurant.com/">http://www.cabanarestaurant.com/</a> (Cabana seaport location) On a sunny day/night there would be incredible views... for us it was raining. ;)<br />
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The next day was our first official full day in New York City and Jess had a morning class to catch, so we followed behind at a slight delay, took the subway to Penn Station in mid-town where we'd later meet him. We wound up having breakfast at a nice little cafeteria called 'The Stage Door', across the street was Madison Square Garden/Penn Station and on the other side of the street the HUGE James Farley Post Office, a greek revival structure built in 1912. It was pouring rain. Here are a few pictures from our first morning... <br />
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From our little table inside 'The Stage Door' the subway stairs, and<br />
across the street Madison Square Garden, and the bldg. on right, the<br />
huge main Post office for Manhattan (more on this below, & clicking on pictures enlarges them)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-ZIdPmA72mLjLuRf9c_LRfM1hQhdvnExK-vZtDUGI9_1UAmu6ewAuob9aQnIx-vcZsJpOMfan9dYWel3Uq9lorG1u7BSxCmSQ6C959Sr1g9hrgluM71Nzdb8yk80NdMJW9ve9IQOiqw/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-ZIdPmA72mLjLuRf9c_LRfM1hQhdvnExK-vZtDUGI9_1UAmu6ewAuob9aQnIx-vcZsJpOMfan9dYWel3Uq9lorG1u7BSxCmSQ6C959Sr1g9hrgluM71Nzdb8yk80NdMJW9ve9IQOiqw/s400/IMG_0483.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XgB7XsG7w8Ce-tlj2aAb_tXKH6MfzFEefnxL0X_yNj60FLCdLe92wnixa3QW7CepXhV_sei5EOo6NSHRojTSpImrt6mjIxcJTB6InGT1e0xLqzu_OcPLfbUxqDSxWdThVqteh4wQQwo/s400/IMG_0486.JPG" height="266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This huge structure has a fascinating history, and will soon become Moynihan Station, and no longer be a post office. :( <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Farley_Post_Office">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Farley_Post_Office</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZPiXwOgEUvqxkTOnPNYhJ4Ixa8-8dUCMSPTNMPfBtjFxQRSV2OAxMi9E_-DbPSqu3XfAjj9tE_OKmj4-bA9FpIRQlNtHiGfOJrmfIIx0S9OSRH9XtoUqt0WnOxAXWvAN_Zf8ydCvBiU/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZPiXwOgEUvqxkTOnPNYhJ4Ixa8-8dUCMSPTNMPfBtjFxQRSV2OAxMi9E_-DbPSqu3XfAjj9tE_OKmj4-bA9FpIRQlNtHiGfOJrmfIIx0S9OSRH9XtoUqt0WnOxAXWvAN_Zf8ydCvBiU/s400/IMG_0487.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madison Square Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMOfjicIXdXZ0tGfz9DPDHpfqEKHuFiHf-VETo222MXbjU4apRpVVsAzAIovgFGurRPDV58hir3zGtnrttA-WvM1c5qZvYJEANGf9plKOPa1oExfH68lv1jrwUvxJgYmJ0bZvi95E1K4/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMOfjicIXdXZ0tGfz9DPDHpfqEKHuFiHf-VETo222MXbjU4apRpVVsAzAIovgFGurRPDV58hir3zGtnrttA-WvM1c5qZvYJEANGf9plKOPa1oExfH68lv1jrwUvxJgYmJ0bZvi95E1K4/s400/IMG_0490.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the huge lobby of the Post office</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN0rrlDJHd676EmKgMz1fSM1Q30WOe1wb7OAAoWroQ5h4khyphenhyphenYvYluJ5pEQiWjszA9FQUUzcEaI3qK4hVLj_i3h0GBjBFshSNFCzYD65zm4f0sFJ9UcV0jDwbmv9xNu-JbOvT07BXa9SE/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN0rrlDJHd676EmKgMz1fSM1Q30WOe1wb7OAAoWroQ5h4khyphenhyphenYvYluJ5pEQiWjszA9FQUUzcEaI3qK4hVLj_i3h0GBjBFshSNFCzYD65zm4f0sFJ9UcV0jDwbmv9xNu-JbOvT07BXa9SE/s400/IMG_0492.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a rotunda at each end of the post office lobby with museum and historic artifacts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl8jD1xx9NU5CNuVdcfwYIqAK-zE7fwajw36E6mhcnyMMxvtRjrYxypAj_nUfkJagBUmZs36LIMEN9HXD13AMyP_ZhGhVpRh0wF-rfIeSO-wlFYPstlZCPAI-w2_neUUEv1xfwXNyQWU/s1600/IMG_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl8jD1xx9NU5CNuVdcfwYIqAK-zE7fwajw36E6mhcnyMMxvtRjrYxypAj_nUfkJagBUmZs36LIMEN9HXD13AMyP_ZhGhVpRh0wF-rfIeSO-wlFYPstlZCPAI-w2_neUUEv1xfwXNyQWU/s400/IMG_0494.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from the rotunda into the Lobby. You can get a sense of the high ceiling and architectural details.<br />
Next up an afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum.<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-73404507130361313642013-01-28T16:04:00.002-07:002013-01-28T16:07:02.793-07:00Haiku<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These are the skies in my neighborhood this morning. We've had 3 days of significant rainfall (significant by Arizona standards!) We needed it to relieve the drought and low rainfall totals. I am hopeful that if we can get another shower or two over the next month we may have a beautiful wildflower season this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's a haiku I composed on the topic...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[245].[1][2][1]{comment10151430201515915_27004246}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[245].[1][2][1]{comment10151430201515915_27004246}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[245].[1][2][1]{comment10151430201515915_27004246}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3]">Storm clouds sob then weep</span><br id=".reactRoot[245].[1][2][1]{comment10151430201515915_27004246}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[4]" /><span id=".reactRoot[245].[1][2][1]{comment10151430201515915_27004246}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[5]">Rare gift to desert's hid seed</span><br id=".reactRoot[245].[1][2][1]{comment10151430201515915_27004246}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[6]" /><span id=".reactRoot[245].[1][2][1]{comment10151430201515915_27004246}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[7]">Blooms will rise to breathe.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These red poppies were a demonstration piece done for my painting students, in neocolor II pastels. We may get gold poppies soon, but if you want these red varieties, you have to visit the nursery. ;) </span></div>
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-27050919459208685412013-01-11T22:16:00.001-07:002013-01-11T22:16:05.671-07:00Long time no blog!Well, gee... what can I say?<br />
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Holidays...busy... out of state visitors... blah blah blah. <br /><br />Anyway... here I am again. <br />
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We had a special Christmas since all of our boys were home, together for the first time in a long time. Aside from the majority of the group having nasty colds, it was lovely. <br />
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Today, however, was not all lovely... today was the dreaded day we took 'baby boy' to the airport to fly across the country back to College, and he has no scheduled plans to return home this coming summer. So it was a tough and teary farewell this time. <br /><br />To distract myself from a too quiet house I went to the DBG. It was cold and breezy but sunny. I particularly kept my eye out for my favorite color... yellow. This was prompted by today's 'Joy Dare' (Ann Voskamp's challenge to record 3 blessings, gifts or 'joys' each day. <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/">here (click on 'Take Joy Dare')</a>) Today's prompt was <span class="userContent">'3 yellow gifts of fresh mercy!' After choosing 3 to share on facebook I decided to look for more. I needed to focus on these little blessings on a day when my heart could easily have chosen to be full of self-pity or sadness. It was beautiful at the garden. Here are some of my photos... not everything was golden hued, but all were warm fuzzy experiences! ;) </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">I even slowed down and did a little 'plein air' watercolor sketch on one of the patios they've recently opened to the public and which has some lovely little place to sit and enjoy the surroundings. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">Thank you for your patience during my absence, and may 2013 be a year where many golden blessings are noted in your life. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">Katie </span><br />
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-21649553345056810162012-11-12T14:40:00.003-07:002012-11-12T14:52:06.976-07:00Recent project and a give away (not mine! ha ha!) Here's a photo of a project I did over the weekend.<br />
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It's for a family (with 2 bio children) who are adopting 3 siblings that they've been foster parenting.<br />
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The mom found this idea online. Most often these thumbprint 'guestbook' trees are used for weddings. Guests stamp their thumbprint onto the branches as a sign of their attendance to the happy occasion. In the case of this 'family tree', it will be the all the guests, family and friends at the adoption celebration and our fingerprints will represent all the extended family who love and support them. Sunday is national adoption day, and this is the day their adoption becomes final. Cool, huh? Anyway, the mom is a friend and she asked if I'd paint them a tree for the occasion this is what I came up with after she showed me some she liked. I included the little 'kiddie' birds to represent the children and mom and dad bird are in the heart of the tree. ;)<br />
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Can't wait to see it with it's leaves soon. Some appropriate calligraphy wording will be added at the bottom too. Then it will matted and framed. <br />
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Thanks for stopping in and here's the promised give away link! Hurry, winner will be drawn tomorrow! We are gluten intolerant around our house and I just happened upon this today. You can win all kinds of goodies to make some wonderful gluten free holiday treats. Hope others will enter too!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thedailydietribe.com/2012/11/gluten-free-vegan-refined-sugar-free.html">http://www.thedailydietribe.com/2012/11/gluten-free-vegan-refined-sugar-free.html</a><br />
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Have a lovely day. Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5379616396225336881.post-35124009825534173322012-11-03T15:52:00.001-07:002012-11-03T15:52:33.016-07:00Thankful for Blessings ~ November <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A small pastel (Neocolor II) done as a gift for my little sister. Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742105802768625523noreply@blogger.com0