It was dark and dreary, cold and windy! It was a menacing morning my friends who are near and far! The weather warnings were out and I was out! I knew today (Saturday) could be the last day to enjoyably be "out & about" until mid week. When I arrived at the parking lot for Dale Hodges Environmental Park and looked at the sky then looked at the river, it was the word "menacing" that came to mind. Yes my friends, Mother Nature was showing her dark side!
Today (Sunday), I tried to transpire that menacing look into a watercolour painting of a photo I captured while at Dale's park. The photo is under the painting. This was my third try! I first went with a straight interpretation, then I went the atmospheric route, yet it was a third try using the line & wash technique that I felt I had to be happy with. Maybe I don't have "menace" in me, but it is a dark and dreary rendition. I'm hopeless, I still included a heart! Can you spot it?
Yes my friends, this is what faced me while I faced it head on!
The Bow River overflowed the rocky shore.
menacing is overtaking the blue
view to the west
more yellow
a Yellow-headed Blackbird
yellow shining brightly
Goldfinch
yellow is golden
Mallard Mom and her Ducklings
yellow galore
these two Canada Geese parents have their wings full
Through all that bright yellow my friends, there appeared some menacing looks!
male Common Grackle
I had to chuckle at what my bird book said about Common Grackles. While strolling through Dale's Park, I was sneezing, wheezing, whipping my eyes and nose. It was the perfect location for allergy symptoms to kick in.
Killdeer
the name alone sounds menacing
female & male Ring-necked Ducks
the males will bite and wing strike during mating season
I came away with much more than I shared here but I have to draw the line somewhere. I hope through all of Mother Nature's menacing, the wildlife can find shelter and be safe. And you my local friends, be safe!
Love that you use your photos as inspirations for painting. In other news, there is a new book. A field guide to the Birds of Alberta, by David Scott and Gavin Mckinnon. You can meet them and other birders at a Neil Zeller open house. https://www.tickettailor.com/events/neilzellerphotography/2241377
ReplyDeleteThank You for passing along the info on the new book release. I will not be able to make it to the event but will be buying the book eventually.
DeleteYou worked the weather and birds nicely on this post. I think your weather was much worse than ours.
ReplyDeleteThe rain continues to fall!
DeleteHello, Alexandra
ReplyDeleteYour weather sounds like it was bad, the skies very dramatic. I like your art, the boardwalk looks like a great place for walking. I love all the birds, there was a theme of yellow going on. The Yellow Warbler is lovely, the ducklings and goslings are so cute. Happy June! Take care, enjoy your day! Happy week ahead!
Happy June to you! Once the weather settles, I will get back out there!
DeleteIt seems the Common Grackle is so proud of its blue colours. Beautiful photos of yellow birds.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week ahead of you, Alexandra.
When the sun catches the Grackles feathers, it looks so vibrant!
DeleteFor sure you do not have a menacing bone in your body!!! Good for you to get out before the downpours. And I cannot believe how many babies those 2 poor geese are looking after, WOW! ❤️(yes I saw it) Norma
ReplyDeleteYesterday while at Carburn, a lady told me she saw eighteen Goslings with one set of parents.
DeleteLooking at these bird images one can sense they are preparing for the weather ahead.
ReplyDeleteThey probably have a better sense about the weather than us!
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