So attractive. So invasive. 😩
Ricinus communis
Category: Uncategorized
inside outside
Nature Journal Club was fabulous as usual. We had 18 attendees, five of them first-timers. Our potluck picnics are always something to write home about, and we all enjoyed spending a few hours exploring and observing both micro and macro natural phenomena, from aquatic insects to towering yucca flower stalks. These meetups are one of the highlights of my month.
coated
We are not usually ones to dress our animals in clothes. But it’s been much colder here than at Malibu, so we’ve given Bodie a wrap to wear at night when the temps drop. She appreciates it!
at the museum
I found myself in downtown Ventura with some time to spare, so I popped into the Museum (“FREE ENTRY ALL MONTH!”) for a quick peruse. I was drawn to a collection of hundred-year-old bottles of photo retouching ink. As I copied the gorgeous typography, I was well aware that another person had hand-lettered this very artwork some time prior to 1911. Thank you, whoever you were, for creating an object of beauty I can admire and copy a century later.
deer lodge
We went out to a local tavern for dinner and live music, a rare event for us! I took limited art supplies—a couple of watercolour pencils and a waterbrush. I took the easy route of sketching inanimate objects instead of the patrons and performers.
lake casitas
Landscapes are not my strong suit, but I’m working on it. I’m trying to represent the shapes and values rather than the details—with varying success.
entrance
This year at the State Park we’ve added a Citizen Science project for middle and high schoolers, to survey trees for evidence of the Invasive Shot Hole Borer. Today was the first outing, and it went pretty well! I lead a group of seven 7th graders and we did, in fact, find concerning evidence. We tagged our trees for follow-up by the scientists. Most of the kids felt like they were doing important work, and they also just loved being outside for the day. So all around, it was really worthwhile.
tillandsia shadow
shiitake spawn
Annette shared her shiitake spawn with me, and I gave her some oak logs. Maybe by Christmas we’ll both be eating home-grown mushrooms.
dog’s eye view
Bodie visited the pig again today. I imagine that this is what she sees as her friend approaches the fence.
hashiworks 