Loading poles and lumber at the mill yard. Another peek at “TIMBER!” The ink is done on this page, and it just needs a bit of watercolor.
Forestry Friday …TIMBER! Teaser 2
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Category Archives: Pen and Ink
Wild Wednesday … Quail Sentry
California Valley Quail on sentry duty. Pen and Ink.
It’s tough being a prey item. California valley quail deal with this fact of life by having a sentry to watch over the covey. He’s not much for defending the covey, but will sound a pretty good alarm.
Wild Wednesday … Red-tailed Huntress
A red-tailed hawk with her prey, in pen and ink.
Bliss and the Destroying Angel
Bliss was close to death. Dr. Bob called to tell us that we had better come to see her now. We knew what he meant by what he didn’t say.
Inspired by a near tragedy, watercolor, and pen and ink.
This was last June. Mary has posted the entire story on her blog at Sneaking Bliss. I encourage you to read it, especially if you are a dog owner.
Wild Wednesday … California Valley Quail
California Valley Quail, Callipepla californica, in pen and ink. This is the male. The covey often has one bird acting as lookout. This one was standing on a stone fence.
Wild Wednesday … The Killdeer
Killdeer in colored pen and ink, and in person. 
Forestry Friday … Spotted Pine Sawyer
The Spotted Pine Sawyer in pen and ink.
The spotted pine sawyer beetle is in the longhorn beetle genus. If you hang out around enough log landings you’re bound to see them. This one flew into my truck.
Be careful how you pick them up. They have strong mandibles and are happy to bite you.
They reproduce in dead and dying trees. Their larvae will bore into the log, thus reducing its value.
The larval form is a borer that damages the wood.
A log deck in the wood is a natural attractant for the beetles. If the logs sit in the woods too long the beetles will get into them.
Spotted Pine Sawyer, Monochamus galloprovicialis.
Wild Wednesday … Curious Young Bear
Curious Young Bear in pen and ink.
As we rounded the corner, we spooked this young bear. He ran up the hill a short distance and hid behind a large Douglas-fir tree. His curiosity got the best of him as he peeked around one side of the tree and his behind stuck out the other. I stopped the rig so we could watch him. He didn’t run away. We got out and started taking pictures.
His curiosity got the best of him. He had to get a better look at us.
He watched us for a while and we watched him. An older bear would never have stayed for a look. Soon his curiosity was satisfied and we went our separate ways.
California Black Bear, Ursus americanus
Monica was our pole plant/log clerk for many years and is a dear friend. She lives near Shasta Lake and has told me countless stories of her encounters with bears around her home. Of course she had to listen to my countless bear stories too. She just retired, so I gave her a signed and mounted print of this pen and ink. I think of her every time I look at it.
Wild Wednesday … Wiley Coyote?
Wild as in wildlife. Naturally, the coyote comes after the roadrunner.
Coyote in mixed media. Done with pen and ink, and watercolor.
I enjoy seeing wild coyotes and I see them often. As a dog lover, I’m sympathetic toward them. On the flip side I have no illusions about their predator nature and I keep an eye out for our pets and livestock.
This coyote was just west of the house. She came cruising through and posed very politely.
Ranchers have to protect their livestock because it’s their livelihood. Coyotes have to hunt because it’s their livelihood. It’s a tough reality for coyotes and ranchers alike. All part of the harsh balance of nature.
It’s tough being a coyote.
Roadrunner, the Coyote’s After You!
Roadrunner in Watercolor and, pen and ink.
Here’s my inspiration. I don’t see them often, and what a treat to have a photogenic roadrunner!
THE FORESTER ARTIST 