We have a low retaining wall that was built long ago with an old hollow metal drugstore sign, supported in front by a pile of broken concrete. Yesterday morning I realised that bees have taken up residence inside the sign. I was working around that wall the day before, weeding and watering, and didn’t notice any activity. Was I just oblivious? Or did they move in overnight? Either way, they are welcome.
I’ve been driving past the Newton Canyon trailhead on Kanan for, oh, 25 years. Today I finally hiked it. It’s very pretty! The canyon sunflowers are out in full force, with lupins about to bust out all over.
When I stopped to sketch the view, I discovered that I didn’t have my usual brushes with me. All I had was a skinny little water brush, which is not my favourite tool. I tried to make the best of it …
The stone-fruit trees are flowering at Descanso Gardens, so I went with Urban Sketchers LA, on a chilly morn, to enjoy (and sketch) the display.
While there, I wandered into the California Native garden (designed in the 1950s by legendary nurseryman and native plant advocate Theodore Payne) and saw a ground cover sage that I think would do really well at our place. I believe it’s Salvia Bee’s Bliss — gotta get me some!
Well, spring has sprung and the birds are letting us know about it! Yesterday at Wildwood, the Bewick’s wrens were going off! I’m grateful for tools like BirdNET for helping me improve by bird ID skills, especially as we have so many LBJs (little brown jobs) around here. (Ref 📷: Ashok Khosla)
I’m pretty sure this is my most-sketched tree here. We’re unsure why it’s chosen to grow so tall and skinny, but we’re now watering it further from the trunk to see if we can encourage it to spread wider.
S & I spent a lovely hour or two at Point Dume, sketching the view and watching the whales (six!) and dolphins. It was unseasonably warm and the sea was silky smooth. Gah, I am so lucky to live in this beautiful place (with the colours of the Ukrainian flag) 😊
I did my first stint in the MCSP Visitor Center today, where they have a lot of taxidermy animals and birds. This sketch was done from one such specimen. Learn something new every day!
I’ve been doing some fern-spotting, and sketching, in Malibu Creek State Park. More to come!
It’s a good day when I can get out and enjoy both nature and culture. Astrida & I loved the Fabulous Fiber exhibit at BG Gallery in Bergamot Station. And, of course, a visit to Temescal never disappoints. These well-worn steps climbing the slope under a spreading oak are made from log cross-sections.
hashiworks 