Today in Sycamore Canyon

Today in Sycamore Canyon the Costa's hummingbirds are back.  I have been seeing males for the most part for the past couple of weeks, but today a female Costa's showed up.  I love feeding hummingbirds but the feeders do present a challenge. Not only do bees tend to hover around them at certain times, but now I am busy fighting ants drawn to the sugary syrup. I used to have a different feeder here on the window under the covered patio over my patio table because hummingbirds like to feed in the shade and this arrangement keeps them dry when it rains.  The other feeder I had was the inversion type where you flip it over to fill it and then invert the bottle for the birds to feed.  The problem is that with the high temperatures we have been having lately the nectar is forced out of the bottle do to the increased pressure when the liquid inside expands, thus dripping all over my table and attracting ants. So, for now I am trying this type of feeder in this location which is a saucer feeder and tends to discourage ants and bees.  However, the Gila woodpeckers may still hang from it to feed which will also cause it to drip and then I will have to think of something else!

Meanwhile, I still have the inversion type of feeders elsewhere in my yard. The ants have also found these and are climbing the shepherds hooks I have them on, as well as the glass window where my window feeder is held on by suction cups.  In my war against the ants I have tried several things.  First I broke down and sprayed a chemical spray after removing all feeders and plants from the area.  I immediately felt guilty for this and washed it all away.  While it killed the ants I could see, it didn’t stop them from coming back later in the day.  Then I tried ant traps. It was all well and good until fresh nectar dripped on the table.  The ants bypassed the bait and went straight for the sugar-water! What now? Well, I changed the feeder as stated above.  I tired spraying the ants with my white vinegar solution I use to clean the windows with.  It killed the ants but didn’t keep them from coming back. So, I am now trying this…

Vaseline and Vicks Vaporub on the pole…

and around the edges of the window.  So far they will not cross this and they seem to hate the odor of the vaporub but will it also chase away the birds? I am watching and waiting. I have taken great precautions to make sure that none of this will end up on the wings of the birds which could be disastrous! I’ll let you know how it all turns out.

Meanwhile…

the finches are feeding…

… as well as this baby curve-billed thrasher being fed by its parent.

  The Baby Gambel’s Quail are starting to arrive…

 

…but the parent birds have been digging nests in the cool soil beneath my bougainvillea and other garden plants.  I don’t mind that they do this except it tears up the roots and kills the plants!  I have resorted to placing large rocks beneath the plants just to protect them from the birds!

My bougainvillea in bloom today.

  Female Gambel’s Quail digging herself a nest hole beneath the nearby grass and bougainvillea!

She’s just relaxing and cooling off and apparently eating in bed!

In the backyard the whirling butterflies (guara) are in bloom…

And while I was watering my garden I saw a toad disappear into this hole beneath the spigot! I planted Irish moss here to catch the drips of water from the hose.  It seemed a good idea and so far it is growing but apparently a toad has decided it makes a perfect home. I tired to flush it out for a look by filling the hole with water.  No luck…

…but when I came back later on in the afternoon I noticed the hole plugged up with debris.  Seems the toad shut the door on me!  One question: Since he lives in Irish Moss, does that make him an Irish toad?

Hot, sunny, and windy here in Sycamore Canyon today.  It was 77 degree F when I first got up at 7:30 a.m. but has now risen to 102 degrees F. A few clouds are wafting overhead and the wind has picked up quite a bit.  It is suppose to blow quite fiercely over the next few days and the temperature is suppose to drop into the high 80’s!  That is almost unheard of for June and will be a relief after the triple digit temperatures we have been having as of late.

Today in Sycamore Canyon I am also thinking of fellow blogger, birder, and artist Debby Kaspari. Debby and her husband Mike had their home and studio destroyed last month in an F4 tornado in Oklahoma. Julie Zickefoose has written a fantastic article about it on her blog with links to where you can donate if you are interested. Please take a look and see if you would like to help. Debby and Mike escaped with only their lives and their cat.  Click on the links below to read the amazing stories and see photos for yourself.  Debby, I wish you all the best.  May you start painting again soon for all of us and For the Birds!

The May 10 Tornado

Meet Debby Kaspari

Debby’s Blog: Drawing the Motmot

The Colors of Christmas

White-winged Dove Angel 2009 by Kathie

The colors of Christmas
Are midnight blue,
And star shine gold,
And stable brown,
And flaxen straw,
and Miracles.

The Colors of Christmas
Are Santa Claus red,
Belt-buckle black,
Snowy-beard white,
Christmas tree green,
and Magic.

The Colors of Christmas
Are apple cheek roses,
Pastel pink-puckered lips,
Eye-shine blue, or brown, or green,
Sunny smiles,
and Love.

~Kathiesbirds (October 20, 2009)

To all my family, friends and faithful readers, may your holidays be filled with miracles, magic, and most of all,

LOVE.

Merry Christmas

from Kathiesbirds!

The Birds of Christmas

Art Show At Eckstrom-Columbus Library

Kathie with my friend, Sherri standing by my paintings 12-10-09

Table by the entrance where you sign in and read Artist Statements



Staff member Mohamed Warsame watches
Mark Holdaway
demonstrate his music.
Mark plays and records music played on traditional
African instruments.



Art on display

The show runs from Now until January 31st, 2010.

If you are around, come on down!

Gus and I both really liked this painting.


Click here to read the library hours and location.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Burrowing Owl

(by Kathiesbirds 10-26-09

Acrylic on Bristolboard)

Burrowing owls live in underground burrows. While they can be seen during the day, they do most of their hunting at night. They have long legs and big eyes and make a barking sound. You will often find them standing in front of their burrows on one leg with their eyes half closed. Their spotted feathers are perfect camouflage for the mounds of soil they live in. Burrowing owls will often take over abandoned prairie dog dens and can sometimes be found in the middle of prairie dog towns.

I have to say that this is my favorite of all the paintings I did for this series. I love the way the owl came out and the birghtness and simplicity of the design. It has been a long time since I have painted and I had fun doing it.

A Pumpkin A Day

Lesser Long-nosed Bat

by Kathiesbirds 10-26-09

Lesser long-nosed bats are an endangered species. As one of the few nectar eating bats they migrate from Mexico every year following the saguaro blooms north and the agave blooms south on their long migration. They breed here in Arizona and return to Mexico for the winter. Lesser Long-nosed bats will often visit your hummingbird feeders in the fall when they are migrating south. It is quite a spectacle to see.

Visit Skywatch Friday

for more spooky and amazing skys

A Pumpkin A Day

Gambel’s Quail

(by Kathiesbirds 10-26-09)

Gambel’s quail are chicken-like birds that live in the desert southwest. They travel in flocks called coveys. You can often see them walking along the top of a fence or scratching beneath your bird feeders for fallen seed. In the spring when the chicks hatch the family of quail will often travel together with the tiny chicks following the parents in a straight line. While they all have the feathered top-knots, only the male’s curves into a question mark shape and only the male has the cinnamon cap and black face mask.

A Pumpkin A Day

Phainopepla by Kathiesbirds

(acrylic on Bristolboard)

Phainopeplas are insect and berry eating birds found in the Sonoran Desert. The males are black and the females are gray. Both have red eyes. They fly out from a perch to snag insects from the air, or they eat mistletoe berries from the parasitic plants that hang off of other trees. When the phainopeplas go to the bathroom, they excrete mistletoe seeds in their sticky waste onto the branches where they perch. In this way the mistletoe then takes hold and starts to grow on a new tree sending its roots into the new host and sharing the same sap and nutrients. Phainopeplas make a call that sounds like a soft “whoop, whoop.” They are in a family called the silky flycatchers.

My World is a World of Art

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Broad-billed hummingbirds are found in the streamside foothills, woods, and canyons of the desert southwest. With their beautiful blue and green bodies and broad red bill, they are one of the prettiest hummingbirds to be seen when you visit Arizona.

Gila monster

Gila monsters are lizards that live in the desert southwest. They are one of the only poisonous lizards in the world. However, it is not easy to get poisoned by one of these lizards since its venom sacks are in the back of its mouth and the lizard actually has to bite down and grind with its teeth to deliver the poison. Most Gila monsters will run away from you if they see you so, if you leave them alone there is relatively no danger from this beautiful creature.

Last week when I decided to paint some Halloween cards for my grandchildren and a few other kids in my life I had no idea it would take me so long! I probably spent 4 to 5 days getting all of these done and yesterday I finally got them out in the mail! I can only hope they get to their destinations in time. In the meantime, I decided to share these paintings with all of you, so, the next 5 days there will be A PUMPKIN A DAY here at the Sycamore Canyon Blog. Each painting has a creature that can be found here in Arizona and I've included a little information blurb about each one. All are done in acrylic on Bristolboard. I hope you enjoy this Halloween fun!

To see more of our amazing world, click on the button above. And many thanks to our hosts, Klaus, Sandy, Louise, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia!

New York Bird Watching News

High Line Trail Photo by Tony 6-20-09

It is sunny, muggy, and warm as we drive south on the Merritt Parkway Friday. The air inside the car is full of conversation flying back and forth between my youngest brother and I. It has been over 10 years since I have been to New York City. Last time I was here the World Trade Center was here also and my two youngest children were in middle school. Now Chris and I fill the time with our plans for the weekend as the greenery rolls by out the windows. As always I am scanning the sides of the highway for birds and I luck out by seeing a lone female turkey in one spot and a family of geese in another.

Once in the city it takes a while to find a parking space for the car but soon we are unloaded and out the door, headed for Central Park. I am surprised by the tree-lined street as we walk a half a block to Central Park West. Before we even entered the park a blue jay swoops overhead and lands in the upper story of a nearby tree. The park is alive with people and birds. The birds are the common kind. We see pigeons, of course, and house sparrows, along with starlings and robins. In the lake we see mallards, in The Ramble Chris spots a red-bellied woodpecker. I spot a distant pair of flickers flying with their white rumps exposed in flight. A male cardinal scolds a cat on a leash while in the same tree a common grackle looks on warily. Muddy paths are everywhere, evident of the recent rains. We walk on in our meandering way, following whatever inner whim calls to us. The time is passing quickly and we head home to prepare for our evening commitments.

The night falls soft and cool around us. People pass by in the street. A girl in a black dress with a red flower in her hair flashes a smile at me. I’m in the vibrant heart of the city with good friends and family around. I’m in the vibrant heart of the city, pulsing with vibrant life.

Night passes slowly with shadows dancing on the ceiling. Outside the open window the city noises punctuate my attempt at sleep. The night is restless within me. I awake at dawn to bird song and roll over and try to sleep. The sound of a bird like an untrained phoebe weaves in and out of my dreams. In the mornings the eastern phoebe will repeat his rapid call, phee-BEE, phee-BEE, phee-BEE. But whatever this bird is, it only says, “...phee, ...phee, ...phee.”

After breakfast we take the subway to the newly opened High Line Trail. Developed by the City of New York, the High Line is an elevated trail that runs from Washington and Gansevoort to 10^th Ave. and 19^th Street. All along the way grasses, flowers and tree are growing. Overhead I see barn swallows fly. With a view down to the Hudson River, I spot a cormorant on the pier. It is a rainy day and I’m dressed in my usual rain gear. However, my camouflage rain poncho does not hide me in the city, but rather I stick out like Roseate spoonbill in the boreal forest would. The variety of birds I see is limited, but I am happy with each one I see. They are all new for my New York City list that I am only starting to build.

The rest of the day remains rainy. We wander through art galleries in Chelsea and dine in an Italian restaurant for lunch. We choose a table outside under an awning with rain drizzling soft music in our ears.

These are the birds I have seen in New York City so far:

Mallard, cormorant, seagull, pigeon, mourning dove, Northern flicker, Red-bellied woodpecker, barn swallow, Blue jay, robin, Northern cardinal, common grackle, red-winged black-bird, house sparrow, catbird.

Kathiesbirds photo by Tony 6-20-09

My World: Art Fair Experience

Kathiesbirds spot at Civano by Gusto with Cannon Powershot SX10IS

I went to bed late and awoke early on Saturday morning with butterflies in my stomach. I had loaded the car the night before and now Gus and I drive north to Civano Nursery for the Artisans Fair. We wait in line to unload, then set up our new folding display table amidst flowers and pots. A chorus of birds sings to us as vendor after vendor takes their spot and waits…and waits…and waits…

Kathiesbirds magnets by Gusto! Cannon Powershot SX10IS

It is a slow day in the garden center. Traffic is slow and no one is selling anything. A few people stop by to say hi and look at my paintings. I sell 6 jars of jelly—four to people who work at the nursery! We arrived by 7:30 a.m. to set up, but the nursery didn’t open until nine. Somewhere around 1:30 p.m. an adolescent boy comes by. He notices the magnets made from some of our nature photography. While most are birds, I also added a few of butterflies, lizards, and toads. He has a pet lizard and he was attracted to the magnet of the Desert Spiny Lizard. My youngest son, Alex used to have lizards, snakes and turtles when he was a boy. When I made this particular magnet up I thought of him and I thought to myself that some young boy would buy one of these. Now here he is, like a thought coming true. We chat about reptiles and I take the $2.00 his mother handed him. This is my only “artistic” sale of the day.

Gus and I watch the sky growing darker to the south as a wind comes up and blows our paintings all over the ground. A heavy charcoal colored cloud sinks lower as the wind continues to blow its warning. Vendor after vendor packs up their stuff and leaves. Gus and I follow suit and soon we are on our way home, exhausted and debating about whether to return again tomorrow. After all, “Tomorrow is another day…” and the weather is suppose to be better.

On Sunday morning I arise long before Gus and drink my tea in restless unease. I spent a fitful night in bed, wanting to believe today would be better but fearing another long day of tedium. We do not have to be there quite as early today. I wake Gus around 9 and we arrive by 10:00 a.m. On the long drive there we discuss what to do. Neither of us wants to sit there another day. Gus is willing to support me in whatever I choose, but I don’t know what I want. I am pulled in 2 directions and it’s wearing me out. I feel responsible to give it a good try, but I am dreading sitting there all day almost as much as a trip to the dentist!

We park our car and walk to our spot. A few vendors are here again, but many have not returned. I stand where my table stood yesterday and glance around the nursery and decide I would rather be doing anything than this. I would rather be doing than sitting. I would rather be experiencing life and writing than all this waiting!

New Plants by Kathiesbirds with Nikon D80

Gus and I walk off down the garden aisles together and start searching for plants to go in our newly filled planter beds, complete with irrigation lines. Yes, in the midst of all the craziness this past week we had the backyard landscaping completed to the point where we can now buy plants! We left Civano with three guara, also known as Whirling butterflies or Wand flower and three Cape Honeysuckle tecomaria capensis. The rest of the day is spent in a joyful search for plants to complete our backyard habitat. We continue our search at various box stores in town as we add plant after plant to our cache, each one chosen to attract birds or butterflies. It is late in the evening by the time we return home with all our plant purchases of the day. We line them up on the patio and reach for our shovels. Let the planting begin!

Gus' Paintings

Copy of Madame Matisse The Green Line by Gusto! 1999 Acrylic on Canvas

Pond Sunset by Gusto! 1999 Acrylic on Canvas

Yes, Gus can paint also, though he hasn't in a long time. These are two of his paintings from an art class we took together in college back in 1999. His style is quite different than mine. He also did the lighthouse painting you can see in the first photo.

Photographers Note: We recently purchased a Cannon Powershot SX10IS so Gus and I can both take photos at the same time. All the photos on this post today that were taken by Gus were taken with that camera.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

And Thanks Klaus, Ivar, Louise, Wren, Sandy, and Fishing Guy for all you do!

Civano Artisans Fair March 14- 15

The Civano Artisans Fair is this weekend in Tucson, Arizona.

This is my spot...


...and these are some of the new paintings I did this week.

Roadrunner Tribe by Kathiesbirds
8 x 10 Acrylic on Canvas



Acorn Woodpecker Tribe by Kathiesbirds
8 x 10 Acrylic on Canvas

Acorn Woodpecker by Kathiesbirds

5 x 7 Acrylic on Canvas

In the yard I had a surprise on Thursday when these pine siskins showed up. Until Thursday I had only recorded one Pine siskin in my yard this year. I took a break from painting to watch these sweet birds pick nyjer seed from the feeder. Now it's off to the store for more paint, bird seed and other necessities for the fair tomorrow. I have butterflies in my stomach and I probably won't sleep a wink tonight. If you are in town, I hope you will stop in and say Hi to me! I would love to met you!

I also want to give a shout out to Troy of Ramblings Around Texas. He is not only a blogging buddy but he has become a friend. Troy has taught me so much about how to use my camera and how to process my photos. Troy has been off the blogosphere for a couple of months and I know I am not the only one who missed him. I called him last week to check on him because I was so concerned. I am happy to report that Troy is alive and well and blogging once again! Welcome back Troy and Martha!

My World is a World of Bird Art

Gambel's Quail 3-3-09 by Kathiesbirds

MY World is a world of chance encounters. It’s a world where anything can happen and frequently does. By chance Gus and I stopped by Civano Nursery Saturday to look at trees and buy some plants. By chance I found out about an Artisan’s Fair they are having this coming weekend and in a bold and foolish move, I signed up to be a vendor! I have never done anything like this before, and I have hardly any paintings, but I decided to take the chance!

Gilded Flicker 6-22-08 by Kathiesbirds

My World is a world of birds that come to my feeders and wander my yard looking for seed after a Sunday night rain. In my world of birds I see color and life and patterns, patterns that translate to pictures and pictures waiting to become art. How can I tell you how the birds make me feel, how they make me smile even when I am in pain from the dentist, or concerned about the economy? After Sunday night’s rain the Gambel’s Quail wander the block wall searching for food and I smile. When the Gilded Flickers come and hang from my feeders with their large beaks and heart shaped wings I see the shapes and patterns and I see beauty and art.

Colors and Patterns by Kathiesbirds

In My World of birds and patterns I have turned my kitchen into an art studio, for it is the only place I have to paint. So paint brushes and canvases lay side by side with fruit bowls and coffee pots while colors whirl in my head with the Doubts and Questions: Am I good enough, am I good enough, will anyone buy my art? Can I create enough in a week?

Kitchen Art Studio 3-3-09

I must be crazy to try this, but, what the heck; life is all a risk anyhow. Every day the birds risk their lives to live. Who knows when the hawk will drop from above? But, in the meantime I will fly like the lark into the sky and sing my sprit song of feathers and colors and patterns. Feathered Joy. Flicker Love. Vermillion Flycatcher Sky. Fractured Blue.

It’s all a swirl of colors, patterns and life.

Vermillion Flycatcher Sky and Flicker Love by Kathiesbirds

So, I’m off to the craft store today for more canvases and paints. My stomach is all a flutter with anticipation and desire. If you don’t hear from me all week, it’s because I’m listening to the bird song in my head and out my door and I’m covered in paint.

Kitchen table/art studio 3-3-09

Stop by Civano Nursery on Houghton Rd in Tucson this Saturday and Sunday March 14th and 15th from 9 to 4 if you want to say Hi. I’ll have Bird Art for sale along with what’s left of the Prickly Pear Jelly I made last summer. I even had business cards made up from the photograph below.

Thanks Carla at Gaslight Printers!



Bird Tribes Art by Kathiesbirds