Spring "Vistas"

This has been the most extraordinary spring in my memory. It has shifted my thinking about place and change. I thought I needed a change and a "vista." But, in spite of a late snowfall and slow-to-arrive spring, I have been very happy. Why? 

An April 18th snowfall had birds digging for food.

Four weeks of travel in late March and early April meant that I was ready to be home. When on the road it's hard for me to do art. Upon arriving home, I began a painting project that had been brewing for some time. I wanted to provide a background for the hummingbird alebrijes that I purchased from Jacobo and Maria's workshop in Oaxaca. I had the background image in my mind. On my 2016 trip to Oaxaca I stayed in a lovely home with a balcony that looked out on an orange-flowering tree (African Tulip Tree or Flame of the Forest). The distant mountains, the valley, and the gigantic yellow edged blossoms were all a background for lively hummingbirds every day. My photo was OK, but had too many distractions. I decided I could paint the background I needed, so I started an adventure learning to apply acrylic paint to masonite. Whenever I got stuck I either asked an artist friend or went to YouTube. What a treasure of information! I'm pretty pleased with the results. I still like working with pastels better, but in a kitchen, I need a scrub-able surface. 

   
Meanwhile, birds were arriving. And they stayed. I've never seen so many beautiful spring birds for so long a time. I was in awe. We literally would shout out what window had what birds at the feeders: "Scarlet tanagers at the suet by the bedroom!" "Indigo bunting on the thistle feeder out in back!" Most years I feel lucky if I see one or two colorful spring birds.

This is what we typically see in the spring. A slight movement in the bushes.
A yellow-rumped spring warbler. Nice, but not outstanding.

The indigo buntings shared the thistle feeder.

Scarlet tanagers at the suet feeder.
At one point there were 7 on the bush behind the feeder.

Lots of orioles. They liked both the oranges and the grape jelly.

We never found the nest, but this watchful mom had three babies screaming for food.
(It's a barred owl.)

Not a view from our yard, but in the Arboretum, a rookery of Great Blue Herons.
We had never seen it here before.

In addition to painting and bird watching, another project was happening. Jim was installing a window. I do my concrete work in a small, smelly shed with two tiny windows. We had saved two big windows from the Chiripa remodeling that sat in the shed for more than ten years. I had been whining that they either had to go or had to be installed. One is now installed and it will create a new feeling in my little space. Thank you, Jim. I can't wait to get working on my next concrete project.

 My new shed window. Notice the credit card signs on the left.
I think I'll keep them to remind me of where this came from.

And so, I now have a new appreciation for "vista."
1) I recreated a stunning vista from Oaxaca that I will see every day.
2) The spring birds created a vista out of every window in my house.
3) My shed has a new window giving light and air into a space that will evolve. 

I'm happy. Lots of work to do.