Happy Spring to everyone! I have been busy working on illustrations for the Yosemite books, but also making sure to get outside and watch the season change. I’ve noticed the early spring flowers beginning to bloom- for me in the PNW that means the Trillium, Yellow Violets, Redwood Sorrel, Douglas Iris, Giant Wake Robbins and some small early spring daisies. With spring blooms also comes crazy pollen from the conifers… and everything is yellow!
The birds are also busy chirping away- and dancing for each other trying to attract mates. Yesterday I was outside drawing and heard the most unique sounds… I figured out it was a hummingbird, but have yet to determine which one. It would perch, and then fly really high, hover for a bit, then dive down and swoop up making a really high pitched siren sound. So fascinating! I hope to observe it more and maybe see where it builds its nest!!
Other nature notes— there is a HUGE squirrel that rustles around in the woods, I always think it is a larger mammal up the hill, but after looking hard it is just this squirrel scurrying around, probably building a nest. The black tail deer graze on the hillside too, watching deer is peaceful, they don’t seem to mind me watching. Hopefully there will be fawns to watch later this year. The frogs are loud each night… and seem to have a 5-7 minute time to be loud, and 3-5 minutes of silence before they start up again. Ahhh SPRING!!!!
(not the frog I listen to…but it is in the next set of books!)
It is taking this time to be observant of the changes; noticing more than the change of temperature- noting the colors, the sounds, the smells, the emerging new growth- this sparks my desire to press forward with Baby Ranger Books. To encourage parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles to observe nature with the littles in their lives. To sit outside and see what is around. To breathe the fresh air of the outdoors! The resting phase of winter is over. Go observe!
That is my plan… I soon travel to visit family… and be the fun aunt to the littles in my life! When I return, I will launch Yosemite National Park Baby Ranger Books. ABC’s + 1-2-3’s and SOUNDS. 💛
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