While on the road in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, we periodically checked the ruby-throated migration map at http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html. We were amazed to watch as birds were spotted further and further north, including into Canada, in March. The first sighting here at the Lake of the Ozarks is usually around April 15, and yet there was a sighting report nearly a full month earlier than that. As we enjoyed the warm air blowing in from the Gulf of Mexico and watched the weather maps that showed no Artic air blowing down from the north, we speculated that these little birds were taking advantage of the warm air currents to move them along from their southern winter homes. Apparently our suppositions were not that far off the mark. Lanny Chambers, noted Missouri hummingbird bander and expert, gives his explanation for these early hummers on his website at http://www.hummingbirds.net/2012migration.html. His explanation makes a lot of sense as we've seen only a lone male at the feeder so far.
Artscape at the Dallas Arboretum was a fantastic show again this year. Joy and Megan and their crew of volunteers are absolutely super to work with. We hope the recent tornados and storms have not impacted any of them. The Spring Festival at Oak Alley Plantation was impacted by the heavy rains that pounded the area before the Festival. Attendance was down on Saturday as visitors had to be shuttled in to protect the grounds of the plantation. Sunday was much better when parking on the grounds was permitted. The folks who coordinate Art in the Pass in Pass Christian, MS, are the most artist-friendly crew we have experienced. Everything about that show was perfect!
While meandering between shows, we tracked down a couple of locations we've seen on television (VexCon, home of Billy the Exterminator, and Red Jacket Firearms), did some sightseeing in and around New Orleans, and learned first-hand about the impressive seafood industry in the Gulf Coast states.
Next up is the Stillwater, OK, Arts Festival and then we'll help Terrie's mom celebrate her 80th birthday.
Hummingbird fact for today: Since the mother starts incubating the first egg as soon as it's laid, that chick will hatch and fledge earlier than its sibling; it will remain close to the nest until the other chick is ready to fly.
Showing posts with label Art in the Pass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art in the Pass. Show all posts
Monday, April 9, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Here We Go -- Again
Spring must be arriving because we're hitting the art show circuit!
This coming weekend is the ArtSmart Conference here at the Lake of the Ozarks. This is the annual "meeting" for all Missouri artists and artisans who are members of, or just want more information about, the Best of Missouri Hands. After that, Terrie and I are presenting a community education class on hummingbirds.
The following weekend we'll be at Artscape at the Dallas Arboretum. From there we'll go the the Spring Festival at Oak Alley Plantation. Then we'll head over to Art in the Pass. In April we'll be at the Stillwater Art Festival.
Sometime during that time span our little hummingbirds will return here to their summertime home and we'll once again be entertained by them. That will be the SURE sign of Spring!
Hummingbird fact for today: Dot the landscape, especially the area near your feeder, with fluttery red ribbons or bows to entice returning hummingbirds to stay in your area for the summer.
This coming weekend is the ArtSmart Conference here at the Lake of the Ozarks. This is the annual "meeting" for all Missouri artists and artisans who are members of, or just want more information about, the Best of Missouri Hands. After that, Terrie and I are presenting a community education class on hummingbirds.
The following weekend we'll be at Artscape at the Dallas Arboretum. From there we'll go the the Spring Festival at Oak Alley Plantation. Then we'll head over to Art in the Pass. In April we'll be at the Stillwater Art Festival.
Sometime during that time span our little hummingbirds will return here to their summertime home and we'll once again be entertained by them. That will be the SURE sign of Spring!
Hummingbird fact for today: Dot the landscape, especially the area near your feeder, with fluttery red ribbons or bows to entice returning hummingbirds to stay in your area for the summer.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
California Road Trip
Yes, we drove from Missouri to California and back again. I was honored to be included in the Southwest Arts Festival in Indio this year. What an amazing array of talent! The art show in Palm Springs was blown away the previous weekend - literally! However, the weather gods smiled on us in Indio and we met some wonderful new customers.
Terrie's mom lives less than an hour from Indio, so of course we hung around in sunny California for a week. Terrie and her mom took a road trip to Los Angeles and sat in on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and a taping of Hot in Cleveland AND took the Warner Brothers Studio tour. On the way home we stopped off to see an old school friend of Terrie's and dropped a bunch of money on beads in New Mexico.
Now we are back in c-o-l-d Missouri and getting prepared for the next round of shows in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Looking forward to warmer weather!
Hummingbird fact for today: A female hummer will lay 1-3 eggs. Young will hatch in 13-22 days.
Terrie's mom lives less than an hour from Indio, so of course we hung around in sunny California for a week. Terrie and her mom took a road trip to Los Angeles and sat in on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and a taping of Hot in Cleveland AND took the Warner Brothers Studio tour. On the way home we stopped off to see an old school friend of Terrie's and dropped a bunch of money on beads in New Mexico.
Now we are back in c-o-l-d Missouri and getting prepared for the next round of shows in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Looking forward to warmer weather!
Hummingbird fact for today: A female hummer will lay 1-3 eggs. Young will hatch in 13-22 days.
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