Reasons 23, 24, and 25

Reason No. 23

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Lilacs

photo copyright 2010 Susan Faye

Reason No. 24

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Nasturtiums

photo copyright 2010 Susan Faye

Reason No. 25

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Foxgloves

photo copyright 2010 Susan Faye

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy.

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

Thank you for participating...it means a lot to me!

Reason No. 21

Reason No. 21

of 55 Reasons to Take Care of Mother Earth:
Lilies That Bloom In The Desert

I photographed this desert lily (Agavaceae -Agave Family) in the Mojave Desert of Southern California six or seven springs ago during an unusually magnificent wildflower bloom in March.

Thanks for visiting!

Over the next few weeks I will be posting photos or artwork of 55 reasons why I think it's a good idea to take care of Mother Earth. If you find any of my 55 reasons compelling, please consider making a small donation if you can: 55 cents, $1.55, 5.50, or $55.00 (you get the drift...) to the Susan Faye Double Nickel Birthday Fund for Mother Nature to benefit the Nature Conservancy.

Your donation will support the many programs of the Nature Conservancy, an efficient and effective organization that has been working around the world for 60 years to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. My goal is to raise $550 to help with their important work.

If you would like to donate, please click here:
Double Nickel Fund

Thank you for participating...it means a lot to me!

Flora and Fauna on the Canyon Creek Meadows Loop

On Monday I had the pleasure of visiting the lower meadows of Canyon Creek near Sisters, Oregon, thanks to my intrepid personal hiking guide--Globe Trekker Mary.

This moderate 4.5-mile loop takes you on a tour of a high alpine meadow of wildflowers, with bubbling Canyon Creek flowing through it. In addition, there are spectacular views of the jagged spires of Three Fingered Jack.

The wildflowers were a few weeks behind schedule but we still saw plenty of flora and some fauna too:

A fuzzy Cat's Ear flower...

A male Oregon Junco...

Indian Paintbrush...

Mountain Heather...

A tiny Silvery Blue butterfly...

And Bear Grass--something I had never seen before! It was EVERYWHERE and looked like giant fairy wands :

At first we thought this was a female Northern Flicker, but upon closer inspection we think it is a female Williamson's Sapsucker...

There was a merry band of Gray Jays...

And lots of lupine, paired here with manzanita...

Possibly the prettiest of all were the Shooting Star flowers!

At the highest points of the trail there were patches of snow! In July! Can you believe it? Here is my artistic interpretation of a snow shelf melting over a creek:

Thanks for visiting!

Directions to the trail: Drive Highway 20 east of Santiam Pass 8 miles. At a "Wilderness Trailheads" sign near milepost 88 (1 mile east of Suttle Lake or 12 miles west of Sisters), turn north on paved Jack Lake Road 12 for 4.4 miles. Then turn left on one-lane Road 1230 for 1.6 miles to the end of pavement, and finally turn left onto Road 1234, climbing 6 miles to the trailhead at the primitive Jack Lake campground.

Introducing WILD IRIS Gifts and Apparel

In anticipation of Spring, I'm excited to announce a brand new line of apparel and gift items featuring my "Wild Iris" watercolor art! Here is a small sampling of the items included in this collection:

Most items are available with either the caption "Garden Goddess" or with just the artwork only.


GARDEN GODDESS TOTE or BOOK BAG

Our 100% cotton canvas tote bags have plenty of room to carry everything you need when you are on the go. They include a bottom gusset and extra long handles for easy carrying.

• 10 oz heavyweight natural canvas fabric
• Full side and bottom gusset
• 22" reinforced self-fabric handles
• Machine washable
• Measures 15" x 18" x 6"

BEACH TOTE

This rugged beach tote is the perfect bag for trips to the surf, soccer game or picnic. Roomy, it features side panels for extra support and an inside lining for water resistance and simple cleaning. With durable straps (and pockets on the outside and inside), it's the only bag you'll need for that fun-filled day trip.

• 100% cotton (14 oz.) canvas
• Dimensions: 12" x 16" x 5¾"
• Outside pocket with Velcro® closure
• Inside pocket with flap
• Available in 3 colors

CERAMIC TILE COASTER

Liven up any room with these ceramic tile coasters, measuring 4.25” x 4.25” and 1/6-inch thick. Four felt pads protect your furniture from scratches. Dishwasher safe. Not for use with abrasive cups and mugs.










WOMEN'S CAP SLEEVE RAGLAN

Looks great on the go or in the garden. Made of 100% combed ring-spun cotton that gets even softer with each washing.

• 6.1 oz 100% combed ring-spun cotton 1x1 rib
• Shaped fit, side seamed
• Contrast color cap sleeves and single-needle bound collar

GARDEN GODDESS ORGANIC FITTED TEE

This women's organic t-shirt is earth-friendly and fashion conscious. This form flattering American Apparel fitted tee has a soft and smooth silhouette that keeps you stylish and reduces your carbon footprint.

• 100% organic cotton jersey
• 4.3 oz. 100% ultra-fine combed organic ring-spun jersey
• Fitted for a fashionable look
• Made in the USA, by American Apparel
• Size-up for a looser fit

GARDEN LOVER CERAMIC MUG

The perfect size for your favorite morning beverage or late night brew. Large, easy-grip handle. Treat yourself or give as a gift to someone special.

• Measures 3.75" tall, 3" diameter
• Dishwasher and microwave safe

GARDEN JOURNAL or BLANK BOOK

This Wire-O bound, 160-page journal has your choice of papers and measures 5" x 8", a handy on-the-go size to fit in your backpack. Get creative and let the muse flow.

• Back cover made of thin black flexible textured plastic, measures 16/1000" thick
• Front cover made of 12pt glossy paper, laminated for durability
• Filled with your choice of 60lb bookweight (24 lb bond) paper -- blank, dot grid, lined college-ruled, or a task journal.

GARDEN GODDESS APRON

Made of high-quality cotton twill, this durable apron is deal for gardening, cooking, or crafting. One size fits all--simply slip the apron over your head and pull the waist-level drawstring to tighten it around your neck and waist. Two generous pockets hold utensils and more.

• 31" long & 29" wide
• 100% heavy cotton twill
• Machine washable

BLANK NOTECARDS (box of 10)

A personal note on a beautiful card will make a lasting impression and a touching keepsake.

• Available in your choice of paper stock
• High quality, chlorine and acid free matte paper consisting of 30% post consumer waste and 50% total recycled fiber
• Twelve point, one-sided glossy paper
• Ten cards per package/envelopes included
• Measures 4.25" X 5.5"

Look here for additional items, including keepsake boxes, home decor, refrigerator magnets, tank tops, sweatshirts, and more:

WILD IRIS (No Text)


GARDEN GODDESS

Thanks for visiting!

Wild Iris Study

I am waiting with great anticipation for the blooming of the woodlands here in the Coastal Hills of Oregon--skunk cabbage, trillium, and wild iris are just around the corner! With the mild winter we are having, I wonder if they will bloom early this year

...One more beautiful reason to take good care of our wetlands and forests here in the Pacific Northwest!

This original watercolor painting is a small study of some blooms I photographed last spring. It is currently for sale in my Etsy shop: Wild Iris Study

Thanks for visiting!

A Beautiful Day

I had the pleasure of hiking up the Cascade Head trail for the first time on Friday with Dave, Mary, and Scott. It was one of those perfect, windswept, shining, glorious days along the Oregon coast. God bless the Nature Conservancy for preserving, developing and maintaining a beautiful trail winding upward through a fairy garden forest.

We enjoyed flora...

and fauna...

and the VIEW!

For more information about Cascade Head visit this link: Cascade Head
Enjoy!

Featured Painting: "COURTSHIP"

This original watercolor painting is called "Courtship". It was inspired several springs ago when unusually torrential rains brought a carpet of blooms to the Anza-Borrego Desert in Southern California. In the middle of what is mostly a barren desert, the air was abuzz with bees. The cactus were wooing their prospective pollen bearers with a glorious display of showy blossoms...

It is painted on Arches 140 lb. Cold Press Watercolor Paper with professional quality Grumbacher watercolor paints. The image is 14 x 20" and is matted in off-white in a standard 22" by 28" size, ready for framing.

For more information on the spring wildflowers at Anza Borrego (at their peak over the next several weeks) visit this link: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638

This painting is up for auction on ebay this week; the auction ends March 1 at 10:46 am PST.