A week passed and I kept myself busy with work while doing a little volunteering for Tucson Audubon. I monitored my nesting owls but couldn't shake the news. No matter where I went, I was bombarded with it everywhere.
Quiet at the San Pedro Riparian area
The United States is having a moment. The citizens are at odds. The conservatives complain that all the liberals are whining too much and that they should get over it. But the protests should tell them that it's not going to end anytime soon.
A Merlin
Americans are witnessing something very historic and very ugly for the first time in decades. Speaking about politics out in the open is poisonous and deadly. This uncontrollable poison leaches into everything I do. And I am not the only one. Something big is building and I don't think people have a clue about how bad things are going to get. A movement is beginning. One that I have never seen in my lifetime. But perhaps those who are in their 60's(and older) remember a similar moment in history known as the Civil Rights Movement. So for people to casually blow this off as simply whining are really not understanding how serious this is. We are a pressure cooker and the top is about to blow.
Pronghorn rest in the Cienagas Grasslands near Empire Ranch
SO. I tried birding in several spots to rid myself of this negative energy, but everywhere we went, whispers from the crowds and hikers kept the political conversations going. We had to go away from the tourist and crowded outdoor attractions to find quiet.
Pyrrhuloxia
It wasn't until we reached the grasslands that I was able to freely let that nasty energy go. There is something about the grasslands that is so healing. We watched as the wind bent the grass blades forward, rippling across the miles of golden terrain.
In the silence, my mind began to wander as we hiked along the trails. At one point, I began to think about Bob Ross while passing a random and solitary tree. As you may or may not know, trees make everything better in the world of Ross. And they really do:)
a sleepy Western Screech-Owl
What would Bob Ross have thought about all of this craziness? Would he have put more of himself into his work? Or would he have said anything at all? My mind eventually drifts back to the trees. Some stood together while others stood alone. And yet there was enough space for all of them to grow freely.
Bob Ross once said, "You need the dark in order to show the light." While he may have been speaking about his painting process, Bob often spoke with a deeper meaning. I mean, that's why his show was so awesome. It wasn't just about painting:)
Unfortunately, it'll take more than Bob Ross to get us through this national crisis. And it's times like these when birding and art and discovery and life should be free from all this madness. It's not. Somehow, somewhere there will come a breaking point when the so called "whining" turns violent and history will repeat itself....again. For now, the US is in it deep. Until next time......
Today I'm linking up with the sky and Bob Ross. It's not your normal link because Bob is dead. But when I look at our skies, I think of him often.
I really miss him. Grew up watching his show on PBS....."The Joys of Painting". Can't paint myself but his voice then and now always puts me at ease....and sometimes to sleep. He went too early. Died in the mid 90's at the young age of 52. Has it been that long?
But when I look at the skies and watch the clouds roll by, I think of him. His hair was out of control but his voice and paintings were always inspiring.
These Buffalo Gourds grow wild in our deserts. The first time I saw them, I was shocked. And the question everyone asks, "Are they edible?" No. However, archeological investigations show that Native Americans used the seeds as food. They also used the green fruit and roots as a detergent and the dried fruits as a rattle. Although javelinas dig up and eat the bitter root and coyotes, porcupines and humans eat the seeds, apparently no one eats the fruits.
But they're still cool to see around our desert landscape. And I'm sure Bob would have painted them onto the canvas. While writing this post, I listened to him speak and paint his skies and mountains. These pictures are the closest I'll ever get to painting something by hand:) Although he has stated in the past that it's easy....um....it's not. I needed help the first time I did one. It turned out well but I had an artist show me the steps to get there:) "We don't make mistakes; we just make happy accidents." I'm glad my mother enjoyed my happy accident on Mother's Day:)
Arizona has some of the best sky shows in the world. I walked the paths as the storm cloud began to build. As things got darker, I moved quicker to the trailhead.
The rain began to poor down onto the grasslands.
But it was like a little piece of heaven here. And since everyone has mentioned that I should use my short lens more.....I thought this was the perfect time to do it. Glad I did:)
But I miss you Bob Ross. I really really do. At night, on PBS, I watch your show and every night, you teach me something new about landscape. Your positive words make me smile as I fall quickly to sleep to the sound of your voice. You are the best.
And so I dedicate this post to you Bob for some wonderful childhood memories that continue today to inspire my photography. "Build a Happy Little Cloud."
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