A future archivist he is not…
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Monthly Archives: June 2016
Storage Wars should come a callin’…
I have no idea where they store all this stuff at school. I also have no idea where we are supposed to put it all.
Animal Portrait #20 – KATE
“For me, the cold is no problem. I know I have a shorter, stocky body but it conserves my heat and my long legs can move easily through the snow. But in the spring and summer, I can’t stand the bugs. Oh the bugs! Honestly, I’ll run for kilometres to escape the pesky things. Worse than wolves they are.”
Here’s another cool fact about Kate and her kind – she’s unique among the deer family in that both male and females grow antlers. Betcha didn’t know that! She’ll put them to good use foraging for food in the snow and ice and they’re great for giving a friend a back scratch – or so she tells me anyway.
Animal Portrait #19 – BOB
It was a challenge getting this big fella to sit long enough to paint him.
“I’m born to graze man, I gotta be free!”, he said more than once. Indeed this mighty beast eats continuously as he roams vast distances across grasslands. Ecologically extinct throughout most of their historic ranges, Bob and his buddies are looking forward to a move to Banff National Park soon.
“The grass there is delicious , or so Dennis tells me , so yeah I’m looking forward to the move. Good thing I travel light cause I hate packing.” We look forward to having you Bob.
Animal Portrait #18 – STEPHANIE
“Do you know why we’re called Mule Deer?” she demurred.
“No.” I replied.
“Well, we’re named for our ears which are large like a mule but I can assure you that is where our similarities end for I’m far less belligerent and not nearly as long in the face.”
Indeed you’re not Stephanie. With that attentive expression, those soulful eyes and the fact that you’re a great conversationalist, you made this portrait sitting one to remember.
Animal Portrait #17 – VIKTOR
Despite my repeatedly asking if Viktor good give me just a hint of a smile, or to face me so that I could capture the full majesty of his flared facial ruff, he was having none 0f it. He sat, still as a statue, eyes fixed on a National Geographic documentary about hares that was running in the background. Intense? Ahhhhh… yeah, you could say that.
It’s mental… I mean, it’s a mental state of mind.
Whatever you need to do to get yourself over the mental hump of pounding down the mountain side on two wheels and a chunk of aluminum I guess. And with signs like the one below, it’s probably a good philosophy…
Animal Portrait #16 – RON
“Don’t paint me with the gap in my teeth, I’m getting it fixed tomorrow.” My apologies but there is more to this national icon than just choppers. Ron is the hardest working, most devoted and dedicated professional to his craft in the entire animal kingdom. Successful, generous, humble – he’s the complete package. And his friendship? Second to none (just ask Sherman). A commitment from a beaver is like money in the bank and Ron is the world’s Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Animal Portrait #15 – GWEER
Gweer settled on flashing her coy smile but this Alpha is anything but shy. A powerful momma who keeps her pack under careful watch she is that rare breed who exudes empathy and understanding while also being the funniest darn canine you’ll meet. (She’s got some X-rated jokes that’ll make your eyes water). You’ve got to be on your toes around this one as her intelligence and wit won’t suffer fools gladly, but give her a well placed scratch just under her neck scruff and you’ll have a friend for life. I’d howl at the moon with this one till the end of time.
You know the end of school can’t come soon enough when…
It’s fair to say three kinds of breakfast cereal, homemade granola, toast, bagels and fruit won’t ever compete with a noisy mess hall and a never ending parade of french toast, pancakes and cinnamon buns. Thanks a lot Camp Ponacka.
The Art of Dad 