Ninilchik, Alaska

Yesterday we drove through the Skilak National Wildlife Refuge just off the Sterling Highway near Sterling, AK.  Saw a large moose, lots of lakes and some waterfowl, Common Scoter and Barrow's Goldeneye.  Stayed in Soldatana and walked the riverwalk after dinner-saw Mew Gulls and Bonaparte's Gulls.  This morning we drove to Ninilchik where we visited the old Russian fishing village.  So picturesque and authentic with old buildings and derelict boats, and lots of salmon fishermen in the Ninilchik River-season opened today. Had lunch at the place where Duane stayed when he worked on seismograph crew over fifty years ago.  They are still renting the little log cabins-probably to fishermen.  We visited the Russian Orthodox Church overlooking the bay and found the name of one of Duane's Russian workmates from those days at the cemetery.  After lunch we found our fishing guide for tomorrow and our cabin on the cliff overlooking the ocean at Anchor Point-fantastic view.  After obtaining our fishing licenses, drove on to Homer and out onto the Homer Spit.  Spent some time there looking at the birds on the dock-decided they were black-legged kittiwakes.  Have seen and photographed the bald eagles today-so majestic.

Sterling Highway

Here we are on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.  Flew in to Anchorage Wednesday evening, arriving at midnight.  The mountians were spectacular with the midnight sunset.  Drove the old Sterling Highway yesterday and had lunch in Seward, enjoyed seeing the ships in the harbor and the beginning of the Iditarod Trail.  Visited Portage Glacier where the lake is still iced over, and drove out to Exit Glacier, but the road was closed.  Aspen and birch are leafing out, and I love the spindly Sitka Spruce that grows in the boggy places.  Saw a cow moose with twins, and realized that Allen's law is really true-they are so BIG here.  Have seen some new birds already, the Northwestern Crow and Arctic Tern.  Lots of gulls but haven't had time to ID them, I am pretty certain the common one is the Mew Gull.  Haven't had an opportunity to paint or sketch yet, but there is certainly plenty of inspiration here, there are vistas everywhere.

"Pear Apples" a little 7 x 5" painting.  Working on watercolor layers to make glowing colors.

This watercolor portrait, "The Wedding Necklace"  received a merchant award at the Artists Association of Northern Colorado show in Fort Collins this week.

                                       

 

This watercolor painting, Canary Springs, was one of three selected by juror Carl McQueary for the Wyoming Governor's Capitol Art Exhibition in Cheyenne, reception June 30, 2012                                   

                                   

My watercolor painting of the horned lizard, "Desert Microcosm" received an honorable mention at the Wyoming Game and Fish conservation stamp art competition.  For more information, go to their webpage at http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/news-1000712.aspx

Photographed this little old lady at the marketplace in Pisac, Peru.  She had such a delightful smile, and snappy black eyes.  I really enjoyed painting her.