Molly The Pony

An Inspiring Animal Story about a three legged pony named Molly. A true tale with a happy ending that I've also linked to under Inspiring Animal Stories on my Animal Spirits Squidoo Lens.

Hummingbirds, Those Little Lightning Bolts

I've been trying to get a photo of the hummingbirds on the feeder by my studio window, but I haven't had much success. This shot was sent in by friend, Irvane Spracklin and Photoshoped by me. It's not easy getting a good picture of these little lightning bolts! Especially this time of year when they are fewer and farther in between. Getting them in focus, out of shadow and including a pleasing background are major challenges. By the end of the season I should be able to get a few good ones. Patience, patience, patience! If any of you shoot some good ones, send them in. I'd love to see them.

Squidoo Directory

What's Your Animal Totem?

Ever since I can remember, I have been an animal lover and augurist. An augur is one who interprets signs or omens to predict or translate situations or events. Just as many ancient cultures believed, I've always felt that divine forces speak to us through nature. I can not distinguish an origin for this belief, as it is something that has been with me as long as I can remember.

Returning Garden Treasures

I got this photo from Irvane Spraklin in my email today. Send me your hummer pictures and I might just post them here!

Hummingbird Spirit Paintings Inspired By Cusco

This slide show is set to the New Age music of Cusco because it is the music I often paint to. This music takes me to a place of ancient knowledge and connects me to spiritual power. This one is from their Ancient Journeys CD and is titled, The Journeys of Marco Polo. I think it's very fitting for our little feathered friends who can travel as much as 6,000 miles in a single year!

TIGGER LIKES HUMMINGBIRDS TOO!

Our new inside house cat, Tigger, likes to watch the birds form his window seat in the studio. He's also fascinated with my hummingbird sun catchers and bird window decals. He keeps taking them down off the glass, as if to say, "If I can't play with the real thing, I guess this will just have to do".

The Hummingbirds Are Returning!!

YA HOO! I was sitting here at my computer this morning and I just saw Yard Dog come to the feeder for a snack. Or perhaps it was a Yard Dog Jr.! He's the patriarch of our huge colony and is always the first to arrive here in Mid April. I mark his arrival on my calendar. Each year he comes a day or two earlier than the previous year. He's one day earlier this year. Be sure to Keep Your Hummers Happy and check out all my hummingbird information on line.
I am just so thrilled to see him!

Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds

In the East, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is wide ranging, from southern Canada to Florida. Most hummers winter in Mexico and Central America although it has been thought that a few winter in the the very southeast. These could be Black-chinned hummingbirds however, as the females and immatures of these two species are virtually indistinquishable. Hummingbirds have been known to travel over 2500 miles on their biannual migrations.


Because of this, they are symbols of accomplishing that which seems impossible. Their playful aerial displays and squeaky cheeps remind us to seek joy as we drink from the abundant nectars of life. See more photos and my original hummingbird art on my web site, www.sandysandy.com and www.spiritart.us.
New Originals and Inspirational Content
is Published Twice-Weekly on my Spirit Art Blog

See My New Squidoo Lens ~ Happy Hummers!

How to Attract and Keep Hummingbirds Happy
in Five Easy Steps

Free Hummingbird Presentation

I've been getting ready for my presentation tomorrow night. Just in time for migrating hummingbird arrivals, I will be presenting my program "Joy of Hummingbirds" to nature and bird lovers. I hope to see some of you local people come out and learn great tips on attracting hummers! Bring your notebooks and learn essential hummingbird secrets.
This Free Presentation is sponsored by the Mt. Holly, NJ Garden Club. It is Open to the Public, Wed., April 16th, 7 pm
at Lumberton Leas Community Center, Lumberton, NJ
Click Here for directions.

P.S. My Animal Spirits Squidoo Lens made it into the top 100 and was ranked at 70 today! Hee Hee!

Life is a Circle

I'd like to share one of my favorite poems which I also just posted on my
Animal Spirits Squidoo Lens. Take a look! It's ranked at 101 today in
the Animals and Nature category.


Life Is A Circle ~ By Black Elk ~ Oglala Sioux ~1863-1950

Everything the power of the world does,
is done in a circle.
The sky is round
and I have heard that the earth
is round like a ball,
and so are all the stars.
The wind in its' greatest power whirls.
Birds make their nests in circles;
for their's is the same religion as ours.
The sun comes forth and
goes down again in a circle.
The moon does the same
and both are round.
Even the seasons form a great circle
in their changing
and always come back
to where they were.
The life of a man is a circle,
from childhood to childhood.
and so it is with everything
where power moves.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Spring In The Woods

The gnats are out! Oh no! They can make an otherwise beautiful day just miserable. I've got to go out and put Skin-So-Soft on the horses faces and ears. The migrating hummingbirds shouldn't be far behind! If possible, be sure to attend my hummingbird talk this Wednesday!

This painting is available at Rijks Family Gallery in Crested Butte, CO, where as I understand it, the snow is still falling!

See Sally Vennel's georgeos Colorado snow photos here!

OSPREY AT THE OLD FISH FACTORY

I just finished this painting today. It's another one of the small 5.5" x 7.5" original watercolors I started at the Tuckerton Seaport Museum on Sunday. The area around the old "Stink House" is legendary for being a great fishing spot. In the old days, the factory used to grind up fish for fertilizer, hence the name. Still a favorite spot with anglers, here one can see a wide variety of shore birds and maybe even nesting eagles.

A Serendipitous Day At The Seaport

It was an overcast drizzly day, but that didn't keep a few hearty individuals from venturing out to find inspiration at the Tuckerton Seaport Museum yesterday. It turned out to be a most rewarding and serendipitous experience for all. There definitely was an "other-worldly" connection and an unmistakable spirit present which could be felt by all in attendance. As I settled into my demonstration, I had an overwhelming feeling that I was truly in the moment. Coming from different locations, physically and mentally, I felt we were all exactly where we were meant to be.


This little 5.5" x 7.7" painting of the local "Fish Factory" was one of four "Stink House" paintings I demonstrated on. I sold one to new Spirit Art Member, Donna Felte, from PA. She like others among us, felt we were unequivocally there for a reason, brought together by spirit and fate.

UNDER THE WEATHER

I had to to take Tommy to the vets today. He's had some kind of an upper respiratory problem for two days now. I'm sure he got it from the new cat as Tig was sniffly last week. I can't tell if it's a cough or a sneeze, but with the weekend coming, I didn't want to take any chances that it would get worse. Murphy's law - your animal always gets worse on the weekend or after the veterinarian's regular hours. Two shots, some drops, pills and over $200.00 later, I hope he's soon feeling better and on the road to recovery!


I'm feeling a little punky today too. Betsy and I rode the horses yesterday. Afterwards I had a marathon shedding out session with both Rudy and Rita. Needless to say, I had a rough night with my sinuses stuffed up big time. Princess, our 13 year old house cat, is not taking to Tigger at all! We let her sleep with us last night and locked the new cat in my studio for the night. She's so miserable, restless and insecure that she kept waking us up all night with her complaining. My head felt like it was twice its size this morning, so I took a decongestant first thing. Between lack of sleep and the allergy pill, I'm spaced. I hope I'm not coming down with something. I need to be in good shape for Sunday! I'm going to drink my Echinacea tea, take Vitamin C and get plenty of rest tonight.

Shacks and Fishing Boats Have Spirit!

Sunday, April 6th, 2008 at Tuckerton Seaport

I'm getting ready for my painting demonstration this Sunday at the Tuckerton Seaport Museum, Tuckerton, NJ. Learn how I go from photo to drawing to painting from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Admission to the museum is only $3.00. The demo is free and will be loaded with insights and information. (Now is your chance to see me in action, artists! I'm not sure if or when it will ever happen again.)

Learn how I go from here:

To here:
To here:
A small collection of my originals and prints will be available for sale.

Also, view the Tuckerton Seaport 2008 Art Show "Come See, Come Sea”
in the Lighthouse Gallery - 10am -5pm.

See my newest shack and fishing boat video here: