Calgary weather has been less than cooperative, this past week, for anyone trying to grab a photograph of birds. Rain and snow and biting wind. What happens with grey skies and water and birds? Everything becomes soft-edged. New birds making their appearances: Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Night Heron, Eared Grebe, several more pairs of Red-necked Grebes, many Red-Winged Blackbirds, Wigeons, many more Redheads, Lesser Scaups and Coots. The pond is alive with activity. The Common Mergansers feel the most regal and demanding of attention.
It amazes me that in a single pond ecosystem, over six years, I’ve learned and experienced so much!
Yesterday, after teaching grade twos for the day, Max and I enjoyed short breaks in the clouds and hope for a blue sky today. At one point, a very cold wind and system blew in, but left just as quickly. I was finally able to get close to a focused image of the Grebe.
But first, the reading of some Eric Carle. We read the lovely book, A Very Tiny Seed…but, I spoke to the students about my memories of A Very Hungry Caterpillar. (same story, really) A book about how one transforms, changes, grows…
The birds…
I chose to photograph the female goose who has settled into a particularly public place because she was so different, from the back, from the male and looks as though she’s ready to burst! I continue to make efforts to get closer to the Buffleheads, Goldeneyes and Common Mergansers, but they are all camera shy.
Pictures are lovely but what a lucky class of grade 2s to have you teaching them art and to see how their individual efforts when worked as a team produced such a beautiful caterpillar.
Awe, thank you, Pat! Those grade twos were so cute! Because they’ve had the Painter Lady before, the lesson was sooo smooth. They get how to use paint! It’s so exciting to watch their brush handling. I also like how they know the north, south, east and west of their picture planes! Anyway, I DID enjoy this class!
I agree with Pat and have said it before; these children are blessed to have you in their lives. And I know of which I speak!
Thank you, John! And…I know that it has always been your intention to inspire creation from the core of so many of your contacts, as well. You don’t know how many lives you have touched in that place that burns in the belly! Keep that inspiration flowing, dear friend!
I will Kath, I will…