Chicago Nature Lady

New Site

2008-06-16T20:32:00.004-05:00

This site has moved!

Please visit www.letspaintnature.com

Why?
Because I've merged my art web site and nature blog into one location! Yeah!
I'm also going to try and post more step-by-step painting processes from my hiking adventures.

Please make the move with me!
XOXO

Mourning Colors

2008-06-10T14:06:00.003-05:00

Remember this photo? This is a mourning dove resting on a branch outside my window.
I love his pose. That's what mourning doves do. They flop on a branch and leisurely look around. They take their time and just chill.

Sometimes I need to just chill. I know so many other people that also would benefit from just chilling. LOL.

Here is my interpretation of Mr. Mourning Dove chillin' on his branch, happy as a bird on a branch could be, in all his colors!

This watercolor is 9x12. I let loose once again and assigned colors that aren't realistic.

He likes it that way.

So do I!

Tiny Mushroom Forest

2008-06-04T21:27:00.003-05:00

In my backyard, I have a corner designated as a little rock garden. Ever since I was young, I've had a rock collection. Oh how I love different color rocks, pieces of the earth in every imaginable color!
Anyway, to give my rock corner some interest I have added a tree stump to add height in this area. On this stump I sometimes add bird seed for the birds to feast upon.
Look what I found growing on top of my tree stump.....

Ohhh, it's my own mushroom forest!

Now, I don't like to eat them as you might know, but I sure do thing they're pretty interesting!
I counted at least 17. There may be more growing in the crack! Isn't that amazing? I only wish I placed a penny next to the mushrooms so you can get a better perspective of how tiny these guys were!

Amazing things come in small packages!

Paintings in Bank Lobby

2008-06-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

I've been invited to hang 7 of my painting at Prospect Federal Bank in Oak Lawn, Illinois!
They are hanging in the lobby, behind the tellers, and also in a few offices.

Weeee! Whooo Hoooo!

Here is a list of the paintings:

Waterfall Glen 18x24
Copper Falls, Wisconsin 20x16
Deep Forest Secret 16x20
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe 23x14
Dancing Shadows 11x14
Wind Swept, California 11x14
January - Morton Arboretum 16x20

The paintings will be on display and for sale for all of June and July.

Kingfisher Fun

2008-06-01T18:56:00.003-05:00

Nice picture, but what are we looking at?

Look! It's our friend Mr. Kingfisher!

Isn't he cute? Well, actually he was more interesting than cute.
I hope everyone gets the opportunity to watch a Kingfisher's antics. I spotted this one above a small lake at Spears Woods. For you locals: From the parking lot, take the black trail to the red, turn left. When the red trail ends take the yellow trail south....only a few yards and you'll see the lake on your right hand side.
Mr. Kingfisher is amazing to watch! First, he perches himself on a tree branch and watches the water. What he is doing is trying to spot fish under the water. Next he flies above the water in one spot and hovers. He really hovers! In one spot! Then, the exciting part.....he dives head first into the water and disappears for a few heart stopping moments. If he's lucky, he flies from beneath the water with a fish! If he's unlucky, he tries again. Lucky for me, cause I get to see it again!

Oh how much fun I had watching this!

Here is the lake he was trying to fish at:

and this is just a really cool picture. Composition rocks, this may become a painting one day!

I love that yellow, whatever you call it, weed or wildflower! Yes, I see a painting in the making!!!

Nature KICKS BUTT!!!
YEAH!

Peek-A-Boo

2008-05-26T16:51:00.003-05:00

On this glorious Memorial Day, I decided to take a hike through Spears Woods, part of the Palos Trail System. What a beautiful day! It was supposed to rain all day but I got lucky, no rain, only cloudy skies and 82°F.
Last night we had a thunderstorm with heavy rain for over an hour, so today the forest was filled with a strong earthy aroma, oh how I love that smell!

Anywho....I slightly went "off track" and found this really cool handmade birdhouse. I could appreciate the time it took to spray paint all those polk a dots and attach a wire perch. Very creative! I don't know who made this birdhouse nor who placed it here, I assume it was a restoration club of Spears Woods.

Who lives in here anyway?
I found out......

Why it's a tree swallow STARING RIGHT AT ME!!!
Do you love his white chin and belly? So do I. Even better, he has this metallic blue back that is something to see in person!
This is a zoomed in picture, I didn't actually get this close.

How lucky I was to have seen the occupant of the artistic birdie residence!

Ants on My Peony

2008-05-24T10:22:00.003-05:00

I have a lovely pink peony bush that is about 8 years old. Every year gets better than the last, with larger blooms and deeper fragrance...I love it, can't live without it in the spring. I named this bush Natalie Peony, because it always blooms on my half sister's birthday, which is pretty soon!

Anyway, I was always under the impression that the peony needs the ants to eat off the waxy coating around the buds or else the flower will not bloom. THAT'S A MYTH!!!!
Read here for a great article.
The peony really doesn't need the ant at all. The ant is attracted to the sweet resin and does absolutely no harm to the peony at all, so no need to pesticide the poor thing!

I also heard another good tip:
To bring fresh cut flowers in the house, let the flower soak upside down in a bucket of water for 5 minutes. The ants get out and the flower isn't harmed. Only 5 minutes though!
Enjoy the wonderful fragrance indoors!

If You Love Color...

2008-05-20T07:00:00.002-05:00

Do you remember this photo?
I took this last month when I was walking in Tinley Creek Woods. I really love this spot which actually came as a surprise the first time I spotted it. I couldn't see the creek nor hear the creek until I was on top of it. Now, I'm not even really sure this is the official creek of Tinley Creek Woods, because the area is so large.

Inspired to paint this picture, I had a very large dilemma...there is NO color! The scene is very monotone on a cloudy afternoon. Well, I'll just have to create my own color. That's where the fun begins!

Using Wallis Museum Grade pastel paper, I decided to make an under-painting wash to set the mood. I usually block out shapes with pastel and then with a brush and turpenoid (a turpentine without smell), move the color around once wet. Today I decided to make a watercolor under-painting instead of a pastel under-painting because watercolors have such a mysterious look when allowed to do their own thing and I wanted this to show through the final painting.

Here is the final painting which is titled: "Deep Forest Secret" 16x20 Pastel.
Can you see the watercolor drip marks on the bottom left corner of the painting? That is the watercolor paint showing through. I love it! These drip marks can represent a physical thing like tree roots, or it can convict a feeling like mystery or an oddity, which is what I was aiming for.
I used oranges and pinks which are clashing colors to represent excitement and that is exactly what I felt when I discovered this creek. Now, as you can tell by my photo, I had no color to start with. As an artist you can make up whatever colors you choose. They don't have to be realistic! What's your mood like at the time? How were you feeling? Were you happy, excited, depressed, sad? Let those colors set your mood...it's fun!

"Deep Forest Secret" will be matted and framed and made available at ChristineKaneArt.com in a few weeks.
Hope you enjoy.

Awww...Babies!

2008-05-18T18:39:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm a lucky ducky!
During my lunch at work I sometimes sit outside in my car. One particular day, I noticed a female and a male robin take turns returning to a certain pine tree of a lower branch that had fabric or string stinking out.
"What's that?" I asked.
Why it's a nest! Are they feeding babies!?!
Why yes they are.....

Now don't you worry, I did not touch the branch nor the nest when I took this photo. I just stuck the camera in when the parents were away looking for more food! I wouldn't risk it just for a photo.
Let's take a closer look at the robin baby...

Individual wing feathers for us to see. The universe in such order and what a plan, doesn't come by just chance.
Creation.
What a lovely word.

Starling Bully

2008-05-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

The starlings have taken over the suet cage. Poor, poor Stella and Henry Woodpecker!
Now that it's spring, the starlings have returned in full force. Gone are the days when I would watch my little woodpecker friends visit every hour to have a snack. The starlings are bullies and scare my poor Stella and Henry downy woodpeckers away. Starlings are large and fight all the time. When battling each other for prime position on the cage, they make this really annoying screeching sound. "Screech, screech, look I'm bigger than you, go away!"
Bullies.
Since I rarely see my woodpecker friends and the suet cakes are disappearing in lightning speed, I'm thinking about repo-ing the cage and maybe replacing it with a nice orange and jelly holder as to try and attract Baltimore Orioles. I'll return the suet in the late fall early winter for my Stella and Henry, when the starling numbers dwindle!

Do starlings like oranges too?

Chivetastic

2008-05-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

Look! The chives are beginning to blossom!
I have many chive clumps in my garden, not so much because I can't live without them, but because you can't kill them even if you try, bunnies don't destroy them, and they have a pretty purple flower.
Chives are apart of the onion family and have a real subtle onion flavor. Cut them up with a pair of scissors and put them in salads, dips, or as a potato topping. Yummy.
Now for the fun part....

Oooh, pretty purple flower! Look at all of those individual petals waiting to burst out! Surprisingly this close up was taken in the early evening. I like how the dark green background turned almost black against the flower. I don't know how that happened.
Let's get a closer look.....

Delicate, huh? I can appreciate this flower much more when enlarged this big. This could totally be a huge painting one day, cropped out just like this!
Yes, paint it then eat it!

P.S. Thanks Mom for letting me play with your camera....what a cool toy!
:)

Towhee I Tink

2008-05-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

Check out these photos:
Is that an eastern towhee? It was making it's presence known! He was pretty loud.
From my view I almost thought it was a junco, but it was much larger, especially the tail and I clearly saw red around the flank area (under wing but before breast).

Could it be?

Not that an eastern towhee is all that unusual around the Chicago area, but I've never caught one on film.
This little fella was flying in Teason Woods watching me pass on the trail. He was "barking" up a storm, which made me stop and look up in hopes of spotting him.
Spot him I did as well as get his photo!

To be a towhee or not to be a towhee...
I'll let you be the judge!

Springtime Wildflowers

2008-05-08T07:00:00.001-05:00

Oh lovely little yellow (I don't know your name) wildflower, how the odds are against you! Choked by those rocks, you would much rather be by the others in the grass. Don't worry, I will step around you as not to do you harm and wish you some luck!
This wildflower/weed growing against the odds gives me strength as I understand it's hardship. Beautiful things come from struggle. I have to remind myself.

Look your friend, Mr. Purple (I don't know your name either) wildflower is having a swell time in his pebbly surrounding, you two have something in common!

If any wildflower/weed specialist can give us a name for these two, it would be like receiving a present! I always appreciate people who are smarter than myself (and there are many of them), to help educate this site!
Thanks ahead!

Duskywings

2008-05-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

Isn't he beautiful and so kind to spread his wings for this photo!
After searching in my Butterflies of North America book by Brock & Kaufman, I discovered that this fellow is the Juvenal's Duskywing, typical in the eastern oak woodland. He is definitely a male because the female is much lighter and they typically fly in the spring.
Notice his little white spots on the top portion of his wings. They look exactly like my field guide!

We will name him Duke. Duke Duskywing.
Duke was fluttering on the ground near the steam of Teason Woods (tons of oaks are here). He's quite large, about 3 inches wide and was not shy around me. As you can tell, he let me get quite close!
Thanks Duke Duskywing, hope to see you again!

Because Monday Sucks So Bad

2008-05-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

Yes, I know how you feel.
Monday is the worst day of the week, so to help with the pain of playing the rat race once again, we interrupt your stinky day to bring you these lovely pictures and video of Teason Woods, part of the Palos Trail System of the Chicago Cook County Forest Preserves.
Here is the best part of the yellow trail (all trails are labeled by color):

I just had to step off trail to get this cool profile of the bridge over a running stream. Oh how much fun I had! It never ceases to amaze me, just when I think I'm on a boring trail where all I see is the same thing I stumble upon something really cool and exciting. I love how the red contrasts against the spring green colored leaved in the background.

Here is what the other side looks like. At this spot I found many wildflowers, heard a frog (I don't know which kind), heard strange bird calls (I didn't recognize and couldn't see), and saw two butterflies.

To sit by a creekside in silence and just let it speak to you is something of which words will always come up short to describe.
So here is a little one minute video!

Hope you enjoyed even though it is still Monday!

Perfect Pose

2008-05-03T20:56:00.004-05:00

No, this is not a lawn ornament. It is not a statue that has been painted, or will be dressed in ridiculous outfits for every season!
This was a real breathing male mallard that just happened to turn sideways for a perfect pose.
Thank you Mr. Mallard.

Notice those curly end feathers by his rump? I'm sure there is a nifty name for it. Any smart fowler is welcome to educate us on that nifty term...please?!?
Anyway, this gentleman was guarding a female who was digging in the grass with her bill for food...I guess. I thought I saw her with a worm, I'm not sure.
This male did a very good job protecting her from humans and other male mallards, walking with her every step of the way studying the surroundings, being very alert.
A protector, a gentleman, and handsome.....every female duck's dream!

Before the Storms

2008-05-02T21:24:00.007-05:00

Oh how I love my storms!
Spring is the perfect time to watch the atmosphere change in the blink of an eye. One minute it's unseasonably warm and the next buckets of rain are released from a saturated sky. Blink again and the air circulates in cool currents, carrying fresh aromas.
Thunder sounds and excitement overcomes you....well it does for me!

Today was great for beautiful threatening skies and a surprise storm or two.
This was a picture I took today about one hour before thy sky opened and a super soaker drenched the earth. I love watching sheets of rain attack the ground during high winds. One after the other. Trying harder than the one before.

I don't know why I love them so. It probably started when I was a little storm watcher with my Dad. Sitting outside we would watch the storms get closer and closer, feeling the rumble in the ground before finding safety inside. Too bad he lives in the desert now where they get about a drop of rain a year! Too bad, that's gotta suck.

There's nothing like a Midwest storm!

Red Wings Here Juncos Gone

2008-04-26T18:26:00.005-05:00

Good News and Bad News.
Bad first (get it over with): My Juncos are all gone. The majority left a few weeks ago, but two mates stayed longer...I don't know why they didn't leave with the rest...but now they too are gone. No biggie, because...
The good news: The Red Winged Blackbirds have arrived!

Isn't he handsome?!? I have counted two males and two females. The females look nothing like the handsome males, they look like huge sparrows only with more contrasting white and brown marks. That's OK, I believe all males must compete for the female's acceptance. Isn't our society ass backwards, with females looking promiscuous for the male acceptance? Another lesson we should learn from nature, (sorry males) anyway...

Here is one of the males taking a bite to eat. The red winged blackbird usually hangs out near marshes and lakes but I learned that they can visit feeders during the spring for seed and then during the summer they will move to find insects. I am a very fortunate blackbird hostess.
Did I mention their "trillllllll" call? Oh, if you only can hear it! Such a back of your neck hair raising experience! I can't get enough.

White Throated Sparrow

2008-04-25T20:52:00.004-05:00

Yipeeeee! Look what I found after work today!
Why, it's a white throated sparrow feeding on the ground of my neighbor's yard!

Can you see him? I know it's really hard. I can only zoom 3x and I also zoomed in on the computer too! Look for the little yellow spot on the birds head, accented by a black and white stripe. See him?!?

This one is more difficult. He is facing left and is camouflaged against the dirt floor. Difficulty spotting is definitely a 9 on the scale. Don't feel bad if you can't find him, if he weren't hopping around I would have missed him too!

Let's Learn About the White Throated Sparrow:

6-7" bird
Yellow spot on head called, lore.
White or tan stripe with black on crown.
White patch on throat.
Migrates in the Chicago area, spends their winters in the southern part of the state.
Eats insects, fruit, seeds, will feed on the ground beneath feeders. (where mine were)

I'm so lucky to have spotted them so close to my house. I haven't noticed them here before. I just wanted to share with everyone else!
Yipeee!

Beauty Never Ends

2008-04-23T19:59:00.004-05:00

Look at how nature never seems to run out of breathtaking moments! This is the amazing scene that greeted me just before sunset a few days ago. That large tree you see is dead. Dead but beautiful, especially as a silhouette in front of a dramatic sky. Up close in person, you can see many woodpecker holes and large chunks of bark lying at the base of the trunk on the ground.
This I can promise, will be a pastel painting one day...probably one day soon because I'm so excited about it!
:)

Here is another favorite picture taken about a half hour earlier from that same path. What caused this creek to become so deep? Could it be just a small amount of water eroding the path over several years? Did this creek have a lot of water rushing though at one time? Is the soil too sandy? These are some of the unanswered questions I ask myself in my head. After I get tired of thinking so deeply, I just say, "Look at those cool roots!"
Cool Beans.

Monk Madness

2008-04-19T21:39:00.005-05:00

Not to bore you with more Monk Parakeet pictures, but these fellas decided to visit my feeder today, not my neighbors! I was able to get some really good close ups. They're so very friendly, this one facing me clearly saw me through the window but was unafraid.

I was also able to capture a nice full body profile on my railing...

Watch these stinkers shovel my feed right onto the ground. I must nickname them my little green boogers. The squirrels must love them.

I forgive them! I will never tire of these flying green gems. They are always welcome to my feeder!

Illinois Earthquake

2008-04-18T12:43:00.004-05:00

The Midwest got it today!
At 4:37am Central Illinois was hit with a 5.2 earthquake! It was so strong people in Chicago were able to feel it. Not me though. Unfortunately, I was so deep in La La Land, I had no idea what was going on.
Bummer.
The good thing is, it wasn't strong enough to make much damage or hurt people.
That's good.
I can't complain too much, I did experience an earthquake in California when I was about 9 years old.
In California... where earthquakes are supposed to happen. I remember waking up hearing a loud rumble and things breaking in the house. I was scared because I was a kid, but was glad I had the opportunity to go though it. Nobody was hurt then either.
That too is good.

Monk Parakeet Visit

2008-04-14T06:19:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised when I heard a loud "shreeeeeek" outside my window. You just can't mistake that sound, it's really, really loud! I knew my monk parakeet friends were outside! I haven't seen them stop by for a visit since last September. Funny, the last time they visited my neighbors feeders it was about 49°F and yesterday was a pretty chilly 40 something degrees. I wonder if that's a pattern?

I watched this handsome fellow for quite a while. He was shoveling out the seeds from the feeder onto the ground, much to the pleasant surprise of the evil squirrel right below (they always get lucky around here). It seems that the monk parakeet was only interested in the little bits of corn not seed, that's what it looked like through my binoculars, but I could be wrong.
Anyway, I'm thankful my parakeet friends returned (the other one was in the tree) and I heard their lovely shreeeeks!

Red Red Robin

2008-04-10T20:02:00.002-05:00

How I love the first signs of spring!
When I see a robin, bob, bob, bobbin' along, I just know he brought spring with him! Look at how his red belly is a nice contrast against those fresh green blades of newborn grass. I love his spring song, it's so uplifting and I can't help it, but every time I see one I have to say, "Hel-l-l-l-l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o Robin!" In my head though.....so I don't scare people!

I found this video on you tube uploaded by DavidHuxley. If you have just a few minutes, watch it. It is Ethel Merman and Perry Como singing, "Red Red Robin" one of my favorites as I remember my grandparents singing it.
How I wish we can go back to such an innocent time...but that's another story!
I hope you enjoy and get excited about spring!!!

Camouflage Trunk

2008-04-06T14:23:00.003-05:00

Does this look like a soldier's uniform or what?
No, this tree is not at war, but it is a young American Sycamore tree. I love the beautiful spots in different contrasts and different colors. These spots eventually peal back and fall away, reveling a beautiful smooth white trunk.

Let's Learn about the American Sycamore:

Lives on the Central to Eastern side of the U.S.
Massive fast growing tree can reach 100 feet.
Leaf resembles a maple leaf.
Bark looks like tan camouflage.
Likes moist soil and by streams (where I found mine).
Fruits are in the shape of round hanging 2" balls "buttonballs"

I did find some buttonballs on the ground and just a few still on the twigs at the top. The ones on the ground were very ripe and fell apart releasing thousands of little fuzzy things and made my fingers turn slightly orange. No matter, it's all in the name of nature discoveries!
I really enjoy this tree and cannot wait to see some leaves on it!