Featured Photo: WHO'S THE NEW GUY

The birds are back in full force and large numbers this year at Pumpkinseed Acres in the coastal hills northwest of Willamina. This is one of my favorite photos from last year, of a goldfinch and a pine siskin checking out the chubby and rather stony "new guy" at the feeder.

Although we currently have a very large contingent of goldfinches at the feeders, we have not seen a single pine siskin yet--last year we had quite a few by this time.

For more information on back yard birdwatching visit this site: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc

Featured Print: "DESERT TORTOISE

This is a limited edition giclee print that is a faithful reproduction of my original watercolor painting called "Desert Tortoise". It features a ruggedly handsome and fascinating inhabitant of The Living Desert wildlife park in Southern California.

Each print is personally signed and numbered and this print is limited to an edition of 500. It is printed on Epson 100 percent cotton rag acid-free art paper with archival quality inks using a "giclee" (ink-jet) process. The image itself measures 9-1/2" x 12-1/2" and is matted to 16" x 20"; ready to frame in a standard 16" x 20" frame. It sells for $75.00 and is available at:
www.SusanFaye.etsy.com

This image is also available on a variety of gift items such as T-SHIRTS, TOTE BAGS, and NOTE CARDS at this site:
www.cafepress.com/SusanFaye

If you are in the Palm Springs area, by all means visit The Living Desert wildlife park/desert preserve in Palm Desert/Indian Wells (plan your trip in the morning or on a cool day--it can be HOT HOT HOT there during the summer). It is a beautifully designed "living museum" full of wonderful wildlife and desert plants/cactus from not only Southern California, but deserts around the world. For more information, visit their website: Living Desert

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Painting...MOONLIGHT BEARS

This is my first in a series of new illustrations for a book I am working on--the painting is called "Moonlight Bears", featuring a Mama Bear (or Papa Bear!) and its cub enjoying the moonlight on a spring evening. The working title for the picture book is "Nurture Nature" but since the project is in its infancy, that is likely to change a number of times in the process...

The original artwork is not for sale at this time, however, the image can be found on a variety of items at my CafePress website: Susan Faye For Nature Lovers

My partner Dave had the pleasure of seeing a black bear out for a stroll in the woods just last week...He was out for a motorcycle ride out in the Coastal Hills northwest of Willamina when he came around the corner and met up with the surprised beast. Dave was relieved that the bear took off the opposite direction and was amazed at the speed and agility of what we sometimes think of a "lumbering" creature...

Thanks for visiting!

Featured Photo...BEE-YOUTIFUL PINK TULIPS

About two weeks ago my friend Mary and I had the delight of attending the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn, Oregon...the first sunny day in a long, long time.

The tulips were glorious and as if that weren't enough, I was treated to my very first helicopter ride!

This little bee was enjoying the tulips as much as we were, especially these extra-fancy pink ones that hardly even look like a tulip.

I can't wait to paint this image, plus about a hundred more that I took for reference photos for paintings. If you would like to know more about the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
or receive one of their catalogues, visit this link: Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
They have great growing tips for bulbs and hundreds of varieties to choose from. I like the field mix, because it's like a grab bag and you don't know what kind of fantastic tulips you've received until they bloom! (And they're always spectacular....)

Thanks for visiting!