wrensong studio

Since it's been practically forever since I posted pictures of deer...

a wonderful, if too short hike.  The deer were quietly grazing, mom keeping a prudent distance, but the young ones more curious than afraid.

The weather was a perfect, sunny 70F (21C), and a pleasant breeze carried the songs of a variety of birds my way.  I saw the usual suspects in addition to a few welcome surprises, including several broad-tailed hummingbirds and a brilliant orange-y yellow oriole I was too slow to get pictures of.  Further glory came in the form of wildflowers, rocky mountain iris, yellow pea, mountain blue violet, fleabane, monkeyflower and more...lovely day.

This gorgeous, if slightly tattered two-tailed swallowtail was hanging out trailside today.  I followed its progress as it sipped its way through a patch of Western Blue Iris.  I was delighted when it rested calmly at the tip of a tree branch long enough for me to get some pictures.

Papilio multicaudatus is large - a wingspan of 3.5" to 5" (9 - 12.7 cm), and as such, attractive to hungry birds.  You can see from the damage to the tips of its wings (note the probable bird-beak made hole in its left wing) that this one is a survivor

I am pleased to announce that 24 of my favorite photos are showing at Bear Creek Veterinary Care Fine Art Gallery now through August 31, 2008. 

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This delightful gallery is located at 960 Pico Point, off 8th Street in Colorado Springs.  15% of art sales benefits "Old Friends," which provides funding for veterinary services for pets of elderly members of the community.

The gallery is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe opens at 5:00 pm, Friday, May 2 at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. 

"Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe, on exhibit at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center from May 3 – July 6, captures the beauty, sensuality and vulnerability of an American icon, who many have described as the sexiest woman of the 20th Century.

Experience the spark, sex appeal and sensation of Marilyn Monroe through the art of Andy Warhol, Christo, Douglas Kirkland, Robert Indiana, Mel Ramos, Richard Avedon, Bert Stern, Henri Cartier-Bresson and many others. This vivid and diverse exhibition of 286 objects captures Marilyn’s rise to stardom, her private life and public image, through works by more than 80 artists ranging from fashion photographers to Pop painters to international contemporary artists."

A special addition to this exhibition is a showing of new works of art by local and regional artists based on the icon, including, I'm happy to say, me.

Ladyofthechorus

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More information about the show and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center can be found here.  Be sure to stop and say hello to me at the opening.

Life has been incredibly, overwhelmingly busy.  Generally speaking, this is a good thing, although it cuts rather severely into my hiking time.  Spring has slowly released it's grip on the landscape, and there were still a good number of snow patches hanging on through the last week.

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The past few days though have been gloriously warm and sunny, and I keep sneaking out for short hikes. 

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Down by the pond, the Canada Geese are bad-temperedly staking their territory, although they can be tempted to closeness by the offer of a bit food.

And as ever, the trails tempt me to run away from home.

I can't wait for summer.

I take a lot of photos of deer.  In part it's because I'm lucky enough to run into them frequently, and in part because I'm always completely charmed by them.

I was hiking through some scrub oak when I realized there were deer just ahead of me on both sides of the trail.  I assumed as I got closer they'd move away, but perhaps as lulled by the unexpectedly warm day as I was, they seemed content to simply ignore me. 

On another day, I pointed out some deer to a companion.  "Yes," was the answer.  "Large rats."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, they don't really do much, do they? And, they're as common as dirt."

I was nonplussed.  It had never before occurred to me they were supposed to do anything other than be deer.

I stood among the small herd, no more than fifteen feet away, snapping photos, admiring their graceful strength, and lost in those large, unfathomable eyes. 

Nope, they don't really do much at all.  If I'm really, really lucky, I'll get to watch them not do anything again.