Isolation Series: Bibitte's Joy

"Bibitte's Joy"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

One of my friends owns a beautiful cat, Bibitte, who unknowingly, came to my friend without any claws. This means outside living is done from the confines of a leash. Remarkably, Bibitte does very well on a leash - she has never known the outdoors without it. Sometimes she comes to enjoy the shade of my back garden. In watching Bibitte I observe how much she loves exploring the shady spaces. She chases grasshoppers and jumps at butterflies, and she watches chipmunks and birds with whisker quivering delight. Sitting or lying in the shade is Bibitte’s familiar, contented posture. Confined and constrained she might be, but living in the moment is Bibitte’s joy. One I can relate to.

Isolation Series: Evening Preen

"Evening Preen"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

There’s something about watching the water fowl going about their business. Be it fishing, or gathering, coming, or going, their wildly lived lives fascinate me. I’ve seen Canada geese use this particular stretch of the creek for all of the above activities, but nothing is quite so fine as watching them bathe as the sun goes down. The flapping of great grey wings, the rhythmic fluffing of feathers, the regal head dipping and wing spreading, are grandiose end-of-day ablutions to behold.    

Isolation Series: The Acrobat

"The Acrobat"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

Red squirrels, black squirrels, grey squirrels - they all vie for supremacy in the outdoor arena. I think they are part monkey too, as they vault and swing from branch to branch with breathtaking, daredevil risk. Their chittering is a far cry from a Tarzan bellow but the way they wave and twirl their tails rivals circus parade plumes. Frisky, pesky, charming, and cheeky, they announce their presence with voices most screechy!

Isolation Series: Lemonade Days

"Lemonade Days"
11x14 mixed media on paper

Cold, tall drink days are here 

A pitcher of iced lemonade with glasses to share 

in the cooler shade of the garden. 

Isolation Series: The Fowl and the Fisher: A Precautionary Tale

"The Fowl and the Fisher"

Summer has slammed into us with heat. The birds and wildlife seek shade - as do most people. On the creek, the ducks seem to be the most frequent inhabitants, although I know other animals are alive and well hidden. One day, a mother mallard and twelve ducklings were forced from their place of safe shelter by the attack of a fisher. My husband, some neighbours, and I, happened to witness the event. In a flash of movement, a brown creature lunged from the shore toward the nest. Mother mallard set up a high-pitched crying, flapping wildly across the waters to draw the fisher away from her young. The fisher was one minute racing on land, the next minute, in the water, swimming with speed, intent on capture. We stood on the shore feeling helpless, clapping and calling, hoping to distract the predator and enable the ducks to get away. Just as soon as it happened, it was over. The fisher disappeared. There was no sign of mallards either. It felt awful to witness the attack, to be left wondering the worst. About thirty minutes later, mother mallard and twelve ducklings sailed by, well away from the shoreline and in the opposite direction of their nest: safe - for this time.

Covid restrictions are lifting in Ontario. This is a good yet uncertain reality. Is the danger of infection disappearing, or is it just in hiding? Living with precautions is still the way forward; the new normal for uncertain times.