I hiked into a small lake, straightforwardly named Pillar Lake, where I noticed undulating small logs floating in the water and then realized that they were some sort of large (2+ feet) fish feeding on the surface. I'm not sure they were carp, but I remember trying to fish for carp as a kid and never being able to catch one. I also spotted a ring-necked pheasant, which are ubiquitous to this area and also some migratory white pelican that are less common. The really exciting sighting this morning was a large fluffy badger; why is it that badgers always look pissed-off? Needless to say, I gave him a wide berth. There were a few cumulous clouds to grace the sky, and it was 77 degrees by 7am, even hotter than yesterday. One thing that I've noticed already about my painting sabbatical (which I've always known but forgotten) is how much I love being outdoors in wilderness areas. If I didn't love it so much I might concentrate more on creating better paintings: I'm almost too happy to paint well -- a good problem to have. This one is probably the better of the ones I did while in Washington, but I wish I could have spent more time scouting for better views.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Badgers, Carp and Pheasant
I hiked into a small lake, straightforwardly named Pillar Lake, where I noticed undulating small logs floating in the water and then realized that they were some sort of large (2+ feet) fish feeding on the surface. I'm not sure they were carp, but I remember trying to fish for carp as a kid and never being able to catch one. I also spotted a ring-necked pheasant, which are ubiquitous to this area and also some migratory white pelican that are less common. The really exciting sighting this morning was a large fluffy badger; why is it that badgers always look pissed-off? Needless to say, I gave him a wide berth. There were a few cumulous clouds to grace the sky, and it was 77 degrees by 7am, even hotter than yesterday. One thing that I've noticed already about my painting sabbatical (which I've always known but forgotten) is how much I love being outdoors in wilderness areas. If I didn't love it so much I might concentrate more on creating better paintings: I'm almost too happy to paint well -- a good problem to have. This one is probably the better of the ones I did while in Washington, but I wish I could have spent more time scouting for better views.
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3 comments:
I've been enjoying reading these sensory descriptions
even in the absence of a picture to go with them. Painting outside forces you to sit still and focus, and that's often when a lot of those sensory details start making themselves apparent. Sometimes it is on the hike in, or out, of a spot, but the sounds, smells, and the critters that come around when one is working are part of the greater experience. You're doing a good job of capturing that in these words. Looking forward to the paintings!
B.
I'm really enjoying reading your stories and seeing the paintings. What a beautiful diary of your summer!
-Kim
I'm really enjoying reading your stories and seeing the paintings that go with them. What a beautiful diary of your summer!
-Kim
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