Happy Thanksgiving!

Can you believe it is the last week of November???!!!  As the Lt. Commander on Star Trek (George Takei) always says "Oh My!"

This day is always welcomed when it arrives, it just seems to come faster and faster each year...I still adhere to the theory that the earth must be rotating and orbiting faster each year you get older!

It has been a busy year for all of us, with many things to be thankful for, and I do hope it has been for you as well.

This Saturday we're gearing up for Small Bussiness Saturday, something we like to do each year...instead of mega box stores celebrating Black Friday for a frenzied shopping experience that only benefits huge corporate coffers in a place far, far away - Small Business Saturday is something for the local folks...your family and neighbors :)  all this stays in the local area and economy!

Another fun event coming up is the area's Holiday Open House - come join us down in Peterson, Iowa this December 7th, at Barb McGee's Gallery on main street! There will be something for everyone with many artists and works available!  This has become a repeat event the past few years and is a great way to make the rounds in downtown Peterson; and take a short scenic drive down to Rocking M Pottery as well!   Hope to see you there!

I am thankful for many things - more than I can count.  But one thing I am truly thankful for is all my family, friends and neighbors...and all the great people I have met here at the studio, whether clients or just folks who appreciate what I do here all year long.  

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone out there!

Migration and Transition

 Fox Sparrow

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

Yes, I am still here, alive and kicking!  It has been a very busy fall so far here at the studio, and instead of being able to stop and reflect on what is transpiring around here, I've been just framing work for customers, printing to replace inventory and working on commissions for clients.  I'm afraid all work and no play "does" make Bruce a dull boy :(

 

 Harris' Sparrow (male)

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

But it is definitely not dull outside the walls of this place!  As I work inside I'm always looking out the windows at the birds busily working about the yard and around the studio's bird feeders.  We are in the middle of the autumn migration and this seasonal transition does keep life interesting around here! 

 Blue Jay

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

 

Birds are "eye candy" for me; and they are likely more responsible for my turning to painting and photography than any other influence.  And it was my early experiences with birds that drew me into the natural world - opening that window to everything else out there; the landscape, and all the flora and fauna in that landscape.

 

 Dark-eyed Junco (male)

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

 

I enjoy seeing familiar faces return each fall and spring!  Like little friends that cheer you with just their demeanor.  Some can be seen here all year long, like the Red-bellied Woodpecker seen below or the Blue Jay a couple spots above, but their activities and numbers become more prevalent and (in the Blue Jay's case) they can become quite boisterous!  Yesterday was a case in point when we were outside with family and a Blue Jay was doing a very good Red-tail Hawk rendition...you always have to do a double take around here with the Blue Jays.  Last winter one even pulled the wool over my eyes with an amazingly good Bald Eagle imitation!  It had me walking all over the yard watching it call so I didn't think I was losing my mind. (I was convinced I was hearing things!)

 

 Red-bellied Woodpecker (female)

photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison

(click on image for a larger view)

The Fox Sparrows at the top of the post are nearly gone now, passing through to the south, but the Harris' Sparrows and the Juncos are still here in good numbers; some seasons these two species stay all winter...I hope we'll get lucky again this year.

Others have "just" shown up; we had our first Pine Siskin of the fall yesterday and the Tree Sparrows were just outside the studio deck this morning eating the seeds off of the Big bluestem grasses we planted there...I imagine they're enjoying the bounty of grass and forb seeds in our prairie pasture as I type.  The Tree Sparrows will stay all winter long and be with us until March...I'll have to work on getting a nice photograph of one this winter...in between my puttering about with my daily chores inside.

Transitions are perpetual, change is inevitable...I the case of migration - I keep looking forward to it each season!