Trout Lilies

One of the first wildflowers in the spring, these delicate blooms carpet the woodscape floor. Last year’s leaves make a good blanket holding in the ground’s moisture. The buds on the maples above have not yet opened, giving these flowers the window of opportunity, their days in the sunshine, before the summer shade.

Spring at times seems so long in coming, the changeable weather makes those warm days extra nice and these flowers a nice touch in an otherwise drab woodland.

Acrylic, 16×16 on gallery wrap – $285

Would also look nice along side Red Trilliums (Acrylic, 12×16 $280) or $500 for the pair.

The ice has finally gone, Mer Bleue

It was a brilliant day, and mild as long as you were out of the wind. Like a number of others out celebrating spring, I wandered around the Mer Bleue bog. To be honest, “around” is a little exaggeration. I only made it part way along on the board walk. Snapped a few pictures, hands in gloves but still cold. The wind coming from the East over the length of the mostly ice free open water was too much for me. I bid a stiff legged retreat for a more sheltered spot and a handy bench.

The day was glorious though. A red wing black bird, a pair of mallards on the far side, a mourning dove, chickadees of course and a skittish red squirrel all added to the joy of just being out there. The chickadees and squirrels are masters at mooching handouts.

The winter browning on the tops of the black spruce looked almost orange in the bright sunlight. Along with the tan and rust of the cattails they made a great colour contrast with the reflection of the blue sky in the water .

Acrylic, 22×28 on gallery wrap canvas – $680