Monticello Swans

Trumpeter swans are one of my favorite birds. Little did I know that one of the largest groups of them was less than 15 minutes away from me. The swans in Monticello Minnesota gather here from November to February for two reasons...the waters are warm from the energy plant just up the Mississippi River and never freezes, and the residents feed them up to 1500 lbs of corn a day. Once thought extinct, these glorious birds have made a wonderful comeback.

A ban on feeding them was enforced because of fears of disease spreading among the 1500 swans and wiping them out. But the ban was recently lifted after 35 swans died from injuries and lead poisoning while searching for food.

My hat is off to the residents of this community that love these birds and continue to nurture them. They have established a park and a viewing platform so that we all can enjoy them. I plan on visiting this wonderful and noisy place often.

"Heirlooms"

I just finished this commission and I had a great time with it. Trying to come up with a "new" idea with a winter theme and birds is almost impossible. This is my neighbor's grandfather's sled and the cardinals are from photo's I took at my birdfeeder. I leaned the sled against an aspen tree outside my studio and left it out to get some snowed on and went from there.

I hope you like it.

Fundraiser for Lyn St Clair

A dear friend and fellow artist, Lyn St Clair, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Like most artists, she does not have insurance. A website was just put up for her by artists willing to sell their paintings and give a percentage towards her medical bills. Please take a moment to stop by and take a look, you can buy a beautiful painting and help out a friend. The site is brand new, so art will be added as time goes on, so please check it out often.
www.artistsforlyn.blogspot.com

Thanksgiving for birds...

I had to include this image of our thistle sock and resident finches. While John and I ate our feast, our wintering goldfinches had a feast of their own. No wonder I have to buy Niger seed every week! (Please excuse our filthy window...the window washers are coming on Wednesday)

Thanksgiving weekend

This is probably my favorite time of the year. That "tweener" time from Thanksgiving to Christmas...so many possibilities! John and I stayed home this year and did not leave the house. I did all my shopping a week in advance so we were set. (I do have to admit to a serious lack of fried onions for the green bean casserole though...they just kept calling to me)

Then we go to Goldeman's tree farm and hunt down the perfect tree, kill it, and then dress it right in our living room. It is four days of laughter for John and me, and giving thanks for all that we have. I hope that you have had a wonderful weekend too.

John cooked the perfect bird this year. He is very proud as you can see...
John tracks and finds the perfect tree and then cuts it down in it's prime...
He then bags it, and latches it to our car. He is truly the great hunter.

Next, it is a horse drawn carriage ride to get hot chocolate and cider. It is almost too idyllic!

We hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend too!