Picture a Day #261 – Jumpin’ Jackrabbit

This Black-tailed jackrabbit was sitting very still on the hillside outside the cabin until I took its picture.

Then it leaped up the hill to find another place to chill.

It was large and lean, with amazing long ears!

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Picture a Day #260 – A Visit to Downieville

Today was a perfect day, the first day of Fall, to take a trip into the mountains. We drove north from Nevada City, California on Highway 49 for about an hour, into the North Yuba River canyon to the tiny hamlet of Downieville.

Downieville is a historic gold mining town, and although it remains unincorporated, it is the seat of Sierra County. Today it was full of mountain bikers, motorcyclists, and tourists out for a drive and lunch, or an ice cream cone with a view of the river and forested mountains.

We stopped for a quick hike down to the rocky shore of the North Yuba River before winding our way to the cozy village full of weekend visitors.

Then we enjoyed lunch at a local diner and admired the Downie River as it flowed through town.

At the museum we found artifacts from the California Gold Rush.

Then we explored a waterfall on nearby Pauly Creek.

This was a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. There was a lot to see and do in this tiny town, and I am already looking forward to another visit!

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Picture a Day #259 – Last Day of Summer

In honor and celebration of the final day of summer, I took my easel outside this morning, and did a little painting en plein air.

I have been thinking about my immediate surroundings and forming a composition in my mind for several weeks. All I needed was a little motivation to begin this project.

After sketching in the scene with pencil, I used Cadmium Yellow Pale for my first layer of color. Next came Prussian Blue.

I am looking forward to watching this unfold. Happy Fall!

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Picture a Day #258 – Another Sunset

Here is a recent sunset, photographed in the gold country of northern California. I think the contrast is stunning!

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Picture a Day #257 – Completed Abstract Watercolor

It has been over two weeks since I posted my abstract watercolor. I could have stopped there, but I wanted something more…

I began filling in the spaces, and I was afraid that I was ruining it. But I continued. I still have a high-quality digital file, even though the original painting has morphed into something completely different.

I wasn’t satisfied with the result, so out came the Prismacolor pencils. I added detail to define and add depth to my stained-glass-like creation. This suddenly became very organic.

The original work is still visible in the background of this updated piece.

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Picture a Day #256 – Deer Food

It’s the last week of summer, and a bit late to begin planting seeds. But I have an empty planter on the front of my porch, and that just doesn’t seem right!

I have been collecting seeds from the nasturtiums and marigolds at home, and I brought them to the cabin. It is still so warm, I think there is plenty of time to start a new flower bed.

I am concerned about the deer, because the flower box on the porch is not protected with fencing like the vegetable garden beds are. So I did some research on the Internet.

Apparently deer will eat just about anything. Especially fawns, who are learning what foods are best. The diet of deer depends on the habits of the herd and how desperate they are for food.

Surprisingly, however, I discovered that nasturtiums and marigolds are not some of their favorites. So I decided to try an experiment. I planted my seed collection this morning, in a sunny, unprotected location.

First I put down a layer of planting soil over the existing soil. After planting the seeds, I covered the surface with dried oak leaves, which are in abundant supply, to slow down the birds. Then I soaked the soil. I love experiments!

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Picture a Day #255 – For the Birds

A pair of Red-tailed Hawks have been making quite a fuss in the area lately. I was finally able to take a photo of one of them circling overhead. Never a dull moment!

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Picture a Day #254 – Back Yard Birding

It’s hard for me to ignore the birds I hear around the cabin. The other day I took my camera outside to see what I could find, and heard some commotion in a small oak tree near the front porch.

Just when I thought I had lost the bird I had seen flitting around, it announced its presence and tipped its head as I clicked away. It was a very cooperative avian.

It has been quite some time since I last saw a White-breasted Nuthatch.

They are intriguing little songbirds.

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Picture a Day #253 – A Thrift Store Treasure

Today I went treasure hunting for a small planter, and was in luck.

I picked up a little vase that was just the right size to turn into a planter for some philodendrons that I had rooted.

I put half an inch of aquarium gravel in the bottom.

 Then I took the plants I had rooted and arranged them in the container. I filled in around them with potting soil.

I topped it off with more gravel to keep down the mold, and soaked the soil.

Now all I have left to do is find the right spot to put it!

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Picture a Day #252 – I Love a Parade!

Last weekend we attended the Constitution Day Parade in Nevada City, a tiny hamlet in the gold country of the Sierra Nevada foothills of northern California. It was a beautiful, warm late summer day.

After a picnic in the shade of a tiny park at the end of the main street, we sat on a cement wall and enjoyed the show.

The atmosphere was friendly and casual, with participants and spectators in every age group. What a fun time!

It wouldn’t be much of a parade without some marching bands!

I love the percussion and brass sections.

Several presidents were in attendance, including Mr. Lincoln.

Everyone joined in the spirit of the occasion.

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