Long-billed Dowitcher — “The Matched Pair”
Below you’ll find a sketch rendition of a pair of Long-billed Dowitchers. Breeding in western Alaska and northwestern Canada and wintering in the far south US, Mexico, and Guatemala, this quick little bird is a great one to watch.
This sketch rendition, as well as others, are available in the Wall Art link you’ll find to the right. This will take you to our Wall Art Catalog.
Long-billed Dowitcher Sketch (Logo will not be on finished print.)
Recent requests for “Wall Art” pieces are now being added to the website. You’ll find a link to the right which takes you to this catalog to which images will be added.
Our inaugural piece was a sketch rendition of a group of American Avocets headed in for a time of feeding. This sketch rendition, as well as these two new renditions, are available in the Wall Art link you’ll find to the right. This will take you to our Wall Art Catalog.
Presently added you’ll find a Color Rendition and a Partial Color Rendition options for different decors.
American Avocet Color Rendition (Logo will not be on finished print.)
American Avocet Partial Color Rendition (Logo will not be on finished print.)
Recent requests for “Wall Art” pieces are now being added to the website. You’ll find a link to the right which takes you to this catalog which will be added to regularly.
Our inaugural piece is a sketch rendition of a group of American Avocets headed in for a time of feeding. These are beautiful birds, sketch-rendered or in color (color will be added later).
American Avocet Sketch (Logo will not be on finished print.)
Bighorn sheep are some amazing creatures! They navigate the edges of the hills like few other animals, especially animals of their size. These hillside ledges, which would leave us trembling, are places of safety and security.
Some recent time spent with the sheep refreshed my respect of their command of the cliffs and how they use them for a refuge. This time also brought some reflection about where we turn for a place of safety and security.
Psalm 46.1-3 lays out for us that safe and secure place that even the sheep have never experienced.
When life begins crumbling and trouble comes we too seek a strong mountain! Psalm 46.1-3 points us to faith in our God.
Psalm 46.1-3,
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Two wonderful figures of speech point us to our strong place. “Refuge” is where we find protection when trouble comes. “Strength” is God’s enablement, which we have by faith in him, when things are crumbling!
In those times of trouble we all face, “help” is God providing for us his security, his peace, his faithfulness! What a blessing!
The Psalm, “therefore,” continues that even though it seems the whole world is crashing down “we will not fear”!
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
Whatever is rising up against us is met with divine protection and divine provision! It’s our portion for, by faith, we are cared for by the eternal “King of the Hill”!
What a wonderful truth that God protects those whose faith rests in him! If you’re not sure you have a relationship with this eternal God, you can do so by placing your faith in his great provision for us, the Lord Jesus. John 3.16 makes this so clear . . .
John 3.16,
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
When our faith is in Jesus, we know that there is safety and security for our lives, regardless of our world’s turmoil.
The King of the Hill
Transitions are often challenges. Transitions in life, health, friends, our communities pull us often in two directions. One side beckoning us onward to something hopefully better, but in reality an unknown. The other side holding on to us with what we understand and where we’ve fit and found life.
I find this tension very present in these looks at “Prairie Statues” from the great farm areas of our country. They remind us of those solid and reliable days “when the train stopped here.” But, it doesn’t stop here anymore! Things have changed. Transitions!
This image speaks to me. The full moon that is setting in the western sky has run this route long before these days of transition, long before this “Prairie Statue” ever sat in this place, long before the train came, stopped, and now travels on!
Yes, transitions are always upon us, always beckoning in one direction and holding us in another. The place for certainty, stability, steadfastness isn’t in the “Prairie Statue,” or the train, or even the moon. The place of certainty is in the great God whose certainty is eternal, whose glory is eternal, and whose love for us in transitions is eternal! (See John 3.16)
Maybe this look at one of the B&W series will draw you to know that there is a peace that passes all understanding, even in the transitions.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in the Messiah Jesus.
Philippians 4.6-7
The phrase “The Dark Side” is weighted by those who are Star Wars fans where it became a key part of the plot. There’s another “Dark Side” that’s far from ominous! It’s the Dark/Light contrasts of B&W photography.
The Look
Black & White has long been a medium for expression and continues to hold our attention in photography. In many ways B&W communicates the intricacies of an image in a superior manner. Color often overwhelms our perception and the subtleness of a scene is missed.
Toward “Moving To The Dark Side” is taking some steps toward learning to digitally develop B&W images, a process which is still very much in development.
The following images are part of this growing process of expression. If you find yourself interested in growing in B&W processing, I’d highly recommend Blake Rudis and f.64 Academy. Blake is working with Jim Welninski and they’re excellent for developing your B&W artistry.
B&W artistry prints are also available. Enjoy “Moving To The Dark Side” . . .
The Last Light
Delta Cotton
Boulders and the Big Guy
