Has Momma Blue Chosen You?

"I am certain that once bluebirds have ‘chosen you’,

you are now responsible for trying to help them."

~ Julie Carney

'Momma Blue' Day 21 ~ SE-21-25

Bluebird Conservation

"Bluebird conservation offers an unusual opportunity for people who are truly concerned about our wildlife heritage to accomplish something by means of direct action. ~ Larry Zeleny, The Bluebird, How You Can Help Its Fight for Survival, 1976

Day 20 ~ SE-20-25

Nurturing Beautiful Animals

 "Because the bluebird is beautiful and readily accepts the help of humans, and because people love to nurture beautiful animals, especially those that are endearing, a strong natural bond is forged between man and the bluebird at the nest box. In many cases, that relationship not only lasts a lifetime but also grows into a greater awareness of the plight of all wild animals and the plant kingdom on which all animals depend." ~ Gary Springer

Day 19 ~ SE-19-25

Lots Of Begging

There is a whole lot of begging going on in the natural world right now.

“Many bird species are seeing their babies leave the nest, but that does not mean their parental duties are over. The fledged chicks are flying about, but they still rely on their parents for food.” ~ J. Switzer 

Day 18 ~ SE-18-25

I'm Hungry, Dad!

 “Baby birds are everywhere you look begging for food. The parents will continue to feed them until the babies have learned to feed themselves.” ~ J. Switzer  

'I'm Hungry, Dad' 

 Day 17 ~ SE-17-25 

Where Power Moves

 Life is a Circle

By Black Elk

Oglala Sioux Medicine Man

1863 - 1950

Day 16 ~ SE-16-25

Everything the power
of the world does,

is done in a circle.

The sky is round

and I have heard that

the earth is round like a ball,

and so are all the stars.

The wind in its' greatest power whirls.

Birds make their nests in circles;

for their's is the same religion as ours.

The sun comes forth and

goes down again in a circle.

The moon does the same

and both are round.

Even the seasons form a great

circle in their changing

and always come back

to where they were.

The life of a man is a circle,

from childhood to childhood

And so it is with everything

where power moves.

They Have Fledged!

"When nature made the bluebird, she wished to propitiate both the sky and the earth, so she gave them the color of the one on their back and the hue of the other on their breast." ~ John Burroughs  This morning, a vulture was on our bluebird house with two more nearby. My heart sank as I feared the worst. All morning, I watched the parents fly around the field with binoculars, but none went to the opening in the house, as they had been doing about every 5 minutes for the past 10 days. I knew the babies were about to fledge, so I kept my fingers crossed that all went well. Later, Jerry and I went out to check, and all five were gone! They have fledged successfully, and I am thrilled! 

Day 15 ~ SE 15-25

Cats, Birds and a Landscape

Introducing our new little calico kitten, Princess Cutie Pye.

And our little boy, Opie Darling III.

 You can see the watercolor painting done from this sketch

on my other blog here.

We had quite an exciting weekend here!

You can read about it on my web-log.

There was not much time to draw,

so I did this little three minute gesture sketch.

Again, some quick gesture sketches from snapshots of my current obsession.

Ok, ok, here's some relief from the cats.

I might even try a painting of this one some day!

It's been wonderfully crazy here with all of the kitten excitement,

so I quickly sketched these bird carvings that we have. 

The wren carving and the swan above,

were moved one quarter turn every two minutes.

I hope you are all having as fabulous of a summer as I am!!

Don't forget to write me
and keep your creative juices flowing!

Hugs,

Howdy Hoo from Cat Mom Do

Cheshire Kitten
 #1 - 5.5 x 7.5", watercolor on 140 lb. Arches, matted to 8 x 10"

Anybody who doesn't care for cats (if that is possible) can probably skip reading the next few posts. I'm currently catatonic over my kittens. I can't seem to be interested in anything else. So you can expect LOTS more drawings and paintings of little kitties here this summer. You have to do what you love, right?

This is Opie. OMG, he is precious and so photogenic!

"God made the cat in order that man might have the pleasure

of caressing the lion."  ~ Fernand Mery 

Ginger Kitten
#2 - 5.5 x 7.5", watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8 x 10"

Most cats want to turn away when the flash goes off, but not this little fur ball! Wow, did I luck out or what, with this adorable new model in the house!

"If we treated everyone we meet

with the same affection we bestow upon our favorite cat,

they, too, would purr."  ~ Martin Buxbaum 

This was done in my sketchbook on Sunday.

I just love this pose. Can you tell?

I've got big news happening here

with the kittens this weekend!

I'll be

"letting the cat out of the bag"

 with new kitty photos and more art on

my other blog.

As always, I love hearing from you!

Hugs and Purrs,

P.S. Which  do you like the best, so far, #1 or #2?