Wishing All A Wonderful Thanksgiving

As I plan my Thanksgiving meal and think about both of my sons and their families joining Harry and me for the day I am truly grateful.  I am fortunate to have dear friends and family filling my life with joy.

I send warm thoughts your way as we all give thanks for what we have and the love that surrounds us.

Three New Ornament Designs

My first attempt to paint a Christmas Ornament was when I created an ornament for the White House Christmas Tree that represented the State of Florida.

As a result, my series titled "Florida Native Birds" was born.  This year I have added two new images to my original series: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Kingfisher.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird 

Although the Humming Bird migrates through Florida I decided to include it in the collection because it is seen in so many parts of the state.  

Quoting from Field Guide to the Birds by Roger Tory Peterson,

 "They are the smallest of all birds; iridescent, with long needle-like bills for sipping nectar from flowers.  The wing-motion is so rapid that the wings look like blurry gauze.  Ruby-Throats are metallic green above; males with glowing red throats; females with white throats.  Range: Breeds from Gulf of St. Lawrence and Saskatchewan to Gulf of Mexico; winters from Florida south." 

Kingfisher

Again from Peterson:

"Hovering on rapidly beating wings in one spot above the water in readiness for the plunge, or flying with peculiar uneven wing-beats, rattling as it goes, the Kingfisher is easily learned by the novice. Perched, it is big headed and big billed, larger than a Robin, blue-gray above, with a ragged crest and one (male) or two (female) broad breast-bands."


My brother and his wife are Florida natives (like me) but spend part of the year in South Dakota. They have shared stories with me about the abundance of Ring-Necked Pheasants in that area, their graceful flight and beautiful plumage.  So, I am beginning another series starting with the Ring-necked Pheasant, but have yet to come up with a title.  If you have a suggestion please let me know.

Ring-Necked Pheasant

Peterson:  "A large chicken-like or game-cock-like bird with a long, sweeping pointed tail.  The male is highly colored with a white neck-ring.  Established in farming country mainly north of Mason and Dixon Line and north only as far as deep snows will allow."

All three new ornaments are available along with: Roseate Spoonbill, White Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tom Turkey, White Ibis and Sandhill Crane.