This gallery contains 8 photos.
We affectionately call them “Nature Nooks”, but the official name is “Habitat Retention Areas” or HRAs. Simply put, they are groups of trees left unharvested inside a logging unit. The purpose is to leave mature tree thickets that provide hiding … Continue reading
This gallery contains 12 photos.
Fall has hit its peak in the high country. We were in the mountains for the weekend. The leaves have turned and were dropping enthusiastically, but Sunday was the day. Sunday was the day that Mother Nature performed her striptease … Continue reading
This gallery contains 5 photos.
Without a doubt squirrels are the most visible mammals in the forest. Now is their most active time. With acorns dropping from the oaks like big hailstones, the squirrels are in high gear. When I stopped to get a picture … Continue reading
This gallery contains 5 photos.
If you’re out in the woods and you find a big W painted on a tree, just remember W is for wildlife. When planning and laying out a timber harvest, foresters have to protect the other resources in the forest, … Continue reading
So why is Blitz laughing, because she is a naughty girl, that’s why! I think she has a very disturbed sense of humor, but what would you expect from someone who says hello by sniffing butts. Boy, was she pleased with herself or what.
“Don’t you make that face at me Blitz…you are a bad girl!”
Do you remember this flower from my previous post. What a unique and beautiful orange flower. I had never seen one like this before. It must be truly rare. Worthy of a National Geographic magazine cover no doubt, and I found it! This flower was probably the only habitat for the equally rare three spotted pygmy jumping spider too. A potential biological grand slam. All I need is the perfect shot and fame was going to be mine!
Lovely, wasn’t it. The stigma and stamens look kind of like the Pillsbury dough boy.
I got one nice picture, then I carefully, so carefully, framed the next shot. This was going to be The Money Shot. “Snap” went the camera and “what the heck” went the photographer. All I got was a bunch of blurry furry!
It’s a golden retriever Tsunami!
Blitz performed a, 9.5 deserving, Roll of Joy right on top of the rare and beautiful, National Geographic cover worthy, previously undiscovered orange flower, instantaneously crushing it in a blitz of red dog fur. I could almost hear the members of the Native Plant Society weeping for this tiny bit of tossed salad.
Does this dog look remorseful to you?
Maybe is was just an unfortunately timed Roll of Joy that all golden retrievers are want to do. Perhaps she was trying to add that extra action or interest needed for an award-winning photograph. Maybe a cry for help (doubt it). Whatever the reason, I’ll never know, and she isn’t talking. Blitz….no doggy biscuits for you!
Black oak leaves showing off.
Forestry Friday is a new weekly feature on The Forester Artist. Features will be whatever I want them to be, but related to forestry and forests. As you may have guessed this week’s theme is “Red”.
Pacific dogwood
Poison oak. You can look, but don’t touch!
Red Bud
Blitz, the red dog!
Here is a rendering of Blitz and Teka by another artist, Gabriarte. It was from a photo of the girls in the previous post. Thanks G!
Teka with the wind in her face.
We have been on the road a lot lately, but it is now time to check in with you all. One weekend not long ago we took the Blitz and Teka to a hunt test in Smith River, California. Go a bit North of Smith River and you’re in Oregon. Here are a few pictures from our travels and a bit of pen and ink.
The cormorants moved like poetry in the surf.
Sailer yard art, you have to love it.
We stayed at a RV park with this ship in the front yard. I thought lumberjacks had big yard art, but I have to admit the sailors win the “BIG” prize.
A pair of cormorants in the surf were my inspiration.
Blitz and Teka on the beach near Brookings, Oregon.
Sitka Spruce cones.
Blitz chills after an exhausting day of events. “Don’t get up Blitz, but I need to get into the refrigerator!”
Mary and Blitz take a stroll on the beach.
Sunset where the Smith River meets the sea.
On the road home and Blitz dreams of ducks.
The first Tiger Lilies of the season.
Yesterday, I had a little wink from Heaven. It was Mary and my thirtieth wedding anniversary. We did dueling blogs about how we met at The Blind Date – Her Side and The Blind Date – His Side. The day before that I posted a watercolor called The Tiger Lily, and I talked about how they were my favorite flower and I felt compelled to bring them home for Mary. I also, mentioned that they were late bloomers.
Lovin’ the woods!
I was in the woods yesterday and had the girls with me, Blitz and Teka. I stopped at one of our usual water holes so the girls could drink, swim and air out. We walk over to the creek and lo and behold there were Tiger Lilies, lots of them. I don’t remember seeing them on our anniversary before. They were early this year. I could almost hear the wink! I wish I had bought a lottery ticket.
Lovin’ these Tiger Lilies!
So, of course I picked a bouquet of them as I am compelled by contract to do. Then I threw in a couple of Columbine for good luck.
Columbine for good luck.
I placed them into a lovely silver vase to create the perfect ambiance. Just call me The Florister Artist.
Martha Stewart eat you heart out, The Florister Artist is in the building!
Blitz and Teka helped.
Teka searches for the perfect Tiger Lily, or squirrel.
They celebrated with me and we were ready to go.
Nothing gets a girl to roll in the grass like beautiful flowers.
All that was left to do was deliver the package. For that I used FTD, or Forester’s Dirty Truck. Hey, it gets the job done.
FTD special delivery.
The flowers were delivered along with kisses and hugs. Mission accomplished and Mary was all smiles, although she did pitch the vase. Excuse me, I mean recycled the vase to be precise. Then we enjoyed a beautiful and delicious dinner of stir fry and egg fu yung that she made for us. The stir fry was more colorful than the flowers. It was a lovely and quiet anniversary.
Colorful stir fry. It’s making the flowers look dull.
So, do you think it was pure coincidence or was it divine intervention. I know what I think. I think those Tiger Lilies were my little wink from heaven.
My wounded paw.
That’s my hand with the bandage. If you are thinking that some emotionally motivated gesticulating by the digit wrapped in gauze was the cause for the bandage, then I’m going to disappoint you. No, Mary did not do me bodily harm, nor was it the result of some road rage incident. I had a cyst and bone spur removed. I know, considering which finger it was, I could have come up with a whopper of a story. You are welcome to speculate wildly if you don’t believe me. Now I have two WIP. One is the watercolor in the photo and the other is my hand. It looks pretty swollen in the picture. Fortunately, I am right-handed so progress continues.
Those aren’t my tears from the procedure. I’m a big boy and only cry during tragic dog movies. I took these pictures during the rain storm last week. It helped bring an end to the fires that were burning here.
Manzanita flowers in the rain.
That night after my surgery, when we went to bed it started raining again. It was hot in the house so I opened the window to let the cool air in. My hand ached and it kept me awake. The lightning flashed in the distance and the thunder rumbled through the sky. The sound of the rain falling outside was so peaceful that I finally drifted off.
Battle Creek Meadows
This rain has been a relief and has delayed our oncoming drought. Soon it will be dry again.
In the clouds.
Just the girls and I.
Tim, Teka and Blitz.
THE FORESTER ARTIST 