Birding Trip to Colusa National Refuge, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and Gray Lodge

n and coastal scenic areas. Since the forecast was for a weeks worth of storms, Christin and I changed plans. Our new friends Bill Keener and Nance Becker offered to drive us up to birding country for a guided tour around the flooded rice fields and different wildlife refuges that inhabit an area near Williams, CA. We set out to view the flocks returning on their annual migrations. It turned out to be clear weather and the experience simply amazed our senses repeatedly. We have never been birding before, but we do identify some of the local birds here on our trips out to west Marin. Here are some of the impressions and photos from our trip.

THE DRIVE UP... Our adventure started out about 2 hours from Marin by exploring the back County roads en-route to Williams. There were abundant duck hunters, so we knew the birds were around and soon after we encountered a rare flock of about 300 Tundra Swans. Bill said this was very rare. The sounds of their chatter made us smile. Continuing our search we came across a bridge over the Sacramento River that produced a classic river landscape that I might paint someday.

DAY-1... We saw all types of Hawks everywhere, as well as Falcons and other raptors who frequent the trees and telephone poles along the roads. There were Red-Tailed Hawks, Red-Shouldered Hawks, Shrikes, American Kestrals, Northern Harriers, Ferruginous Hawks, Cerlews, White-Faced Ibis, Snow Geese, Canadian Geese, and Pheasants. First day we logged in 17 species in a couple of hours. After we drove to Granzella's Inn, a Williams landmark. We dined at their restaurant and had meals covered with gravy.

DAY-2... The next morning we hit the road early and went to Colusa National Wildlife Refuge and took the 3 mile auto tour through the marshlands. Saw Pintail Ducks, Shovelers, Cinnamon Teals, Buffleheads, Ring-neck pheasants, Curlews, Mallards, Kingfishers, Galanools, Pipits, Snow Geese, Gadwall, Red-Bill Geese, lots of Snowy Igrets and Blue Herons and an amazing sight of 45 Night Herons all nestled together in a bare leafed thicket by the canal (see photo). Next we drove past the Crested Buttes rising high above the Sacto Valley, a fog shrouded the sight but eventually opened up to an incredible and unique landscape. At one field, we passed a group of Sand Hill Cranes whose throaty calls were straight out of the movieWinged Migration. We drove on to Gray Lodge Wildlife area and it was magnificent. A large marsh with all kinds of migrating groups. We added Ross's Geese, Pipits, Cranes, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Blue Winged Teals, Green-Winged Teals, Cooper's Hawks, Peregrine Falcon and the Bald Eagles. Here are a few amazing highlights. First, we saw a few Cinnamon Teal ducks sleeping right next to a large Turtle... almost on top of the Turtle. Second, a Bald Eagle landed in a tree and shared it with a Peregrine Falcon just 4 feet away. They stayed like this while we feverishly shot photos. Bill said he has never seen this before. Both birds are high on the food chain and quite territorial. The OMG moment of the trip was when we were standing by the marsh photographing a group of white Tundra Geese of at least 3,000 birds. All of a sudden ALL of them took to the air screaming loudly because a Bald Eagle was circling with talons extended at the west end of the marsh. We just stood there with our mouth's wide open. It was something extraordinary and Bill said in his 30 years of birding that he had never seen an episode like this.

We had dinner that night at Louie Cairo's restaurant where the garlic bread was completely covered with fresh sauteed garlic. We joined Michael and Marlene Rosenthal, Greg Lyon and Kathy Duffy, and their other friends. In the morning we decided to have breakfast and drive home after a short trip to the Colusa Refuge once again. Everything was quiet and fogged in.

Although our intention was to scout painting locations, which we certainly found, our eyes were opened to the excitement of birding and how much life travels through California on the annual migrations of both faraway and local birds. Quite simply, you've got to experience this.

California Art Club Painting Retreat at Limantour Beach

Friday Oct. 30, 2009 finally arrived and the California Art Club Limantour Painting Retreat had begun.Fourty artists gathering at the Pt. Reyes Hostel for two nights and three days of painting, eating, conversation and fun. After four months of preparation, people drove up from San Diego, L.A., San Luis Obispo and from all around the San Francisco Bay area.

Three days prior to the weekend all the weather channels were predicting showers, but it turned out to be spectacular fall weather with totally sunny skies during the days and a small amount of shore fog in the mornings. It was absolutely glorious each day.

After a day of painting on Friday, Christin and I checked in and gathered for a pot-luck dinner with the others. Everyone provided an enormous amount of food. We drank (moderately) and engaged in group conversations with stories, laughter and good cheer. It was great to meet some new people and learn more about the lives of other serious artists. Turning in for the night proved to be a bit of a challenge with the women in two dorm rooms with 5 bunk beds each and the men in an out building dorm also with two rooms and 5 bunk beds. Naturally, everyone wanted a lower bunk, but it all seemed to work out. In the morning I heard some horror stories of loud snoring in one of the womens dorms, but not a big problem in the men’s area.

Saturday morning began with a Bagel, Salmon and cream cheese breakfast before heading out. We all stood around the kitchen area toasting bagels, making coffee and sharing areas to paint for the day.Some went to Pierce Point Ranch, some to Drake’s beach, some to Tomales Bay and we all scattered and followed our instincts. Returning home later, we again shared a Barbeque dinner with more good cheer and stories. Another beautiful day in paradise. After dinner, about 15 of us took a 3 mile Halloween night MoonWalk out to the beach without need of any flashlights. Saw a low flying owl, a glistening ocean and glowing trees with eerie shadows that could be hiding all sorts of night creatures.

Sunday morning we ate breakfast and then we all set out our paintings on the outdoor picnic tables so we could experience the various styles and techniques. It brought us closer once again to see each others work. Sennelier Artist Oils graciously provided two sets of Oil Paints for the winners of the random drawing. We checked out at 10am and said our goodbyes. Local artists scattered about and painted on Sunday too.

I don’t know how everyone felt about the paintings they produced over the weekend, but I do know that such events hold a special place in each of our heats and will be a memory that lasts in our history as artists. We’ll surely plan another one again soon.

Note: This event came about as a result of the combined efforts to bring more CAC events to the Northern part of our state. Our local chapter, headed up by Michelle Jader and Kay Young, has been working closely with the CAC Executive Director Elain Adams, Managing Director Lisa Cavelier along with a chapter volunteer steering committee. I was very happy to have administered this event on their behalf. If you're not already a CAC member, you too can join...http://www.californiaartclub.org/home/join.shtml

Photos and Movie Below:

Plein Air Poetry - Introduced at SLO Plein Air Festival

At the recent San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival... I was introduced to "Plein Air Poetry".  It is a common form of poetry where the author experiences something while outside and jots down the poem. The name originated at the SLO Poetry Festival.

One night, Kevin Patrick Sullivan (an exuberant man and producer of the SLO Poetry Festival)  hosted a group of local poets that read some of thier creations at the Art Center to a crowd of painters and poets.  In fact... two of the poets tagged along with two of the painters at the event and wrote about their experience. Poet Paula Lowe gave me a gift of her groups book "Poems for Endangered Places" and Kevin gave me "The Space Between Things". I was so moved by the work and their generosity that it inspired me to create my own poems that come from my personal painting experiences.  Here is my first work titled "Morning at Pelican Point".  There are sure to be more.

"Morning at Pelican Point"

Sun backlights

this enormous remnant

of coastline past,

while the pelicans sleep 

camouflaged on its

sharp decline to the sea.

Part shade

part sun

sometimes fog

The iconic monolith watches

blue horizon

creamy dunes

the long intruding pier

and amazing birds...

just as it does every day.

10/2/2009

Associated Painting:  Pelican Point - Pismo Beach

copyright 2009 - Richard Lindenberg

NORTH TAHOE PLEIN AIR - a week in heaven

A week at Lake Tahoe, when the tourists are gone, is food for the soul.  Christin and I just returned from the week long North Tahoe Plein Air event.  There were 38 artists who spent three days painting the lake and its surroundings for the show on Saturday and Sunday at Northstar Village.  The daytime weather was perfect with bright sunny skies and cool shade which made for a painter's dream. 

We were the guests of Lois and Andy Skaff for the week who are also the organizers of the event which was put on in association with North Tahoe Arts and the 24th annual Autumn Food and Wine Festival. Each day we ventured out to different locations that Andy and others recommended.  Emerald Bay, Blackwood Canyon, the Truckee River and the Lake shores itself.  Simply endless beauty to paint.

     

Paul Kratter, Zee Zee Mott and Craig Mitchell were the judges for the event.  I was fortunate to have won the coveted "Artist's Choice" award (image below) and Andrew Bolam won "Best of Show". Andy Skaff, Carole Gray-Weihman, Randall Stauss and Bonita Paulis won the other awards.  Sennelier Artist Oils provided several of the winner prizes. Many of the unsold paintings from the event are for sale at North Tahoe Arts, 380 North lake Blvd., Tahoe City until October 18th.

"WEST MARIN WILD" - Art Show at Pt. Reyes Ntl. Seashore Red Barn

Every two years, the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) organizes the "West Marin Wild" art show and sale on Labor Day Weekend at the Pt. Reyes Visitor Center Red Barn.  It's a fundraiser for their non-profit organization that is a tenacious grassroots group founded in 1971 to protect West Marin's natural environment and rural character.

This year's show was a huge success with 38 artists exhibiting more than 160 pieces.  More than 50% of the artwork sold and their sales topped the previous high of two years ago.  Quite a testament in this struggling economy.  

Christin and I helped greet the visitors during the 3 day event and we were pleased to have had 9 of our paintings find new homes.  Sherrie Stanton and Jane Kriss, along with the other volunteers did a magnificent job organizing everything and we were so pleased to be part of the show once again.

      

Artist's in the Back Country - Sierra National Park

Christin and I have recently returned from our summer vacation.  We took Artie (our RV) on a road trip for ten days.  First to Tuolumne Meadows for 4 days of painting and hiking.  We drove next to Sequoia National Park where we were part of an invited group called "Artist's in the Back Country" that was assembled by the Sequoia Parks Foundation for the purpose of gathering painters, poets, photographers, scientists and other creative people to produce images, poems and prose about the place and the experience.

Tuolumene Meadows is one of my favorite spots on earth.  It has high mountain air, clear nights, a beautiful river, extraordinary hiking trails, privacy and spectacular mountain scenery.  What more could a painter ask for.  Each day we did a morning painting, came back to Artie for lunch and rest, then out to the river or meadow to paint the late day until sundown.  

       

We left Yosemite's high country and drove to Sequoia National Park.  We congregated at a Boy Scouts of America Camp with 3 other painters Paul Kratter, Bill Cone and Jeff Horn - a poet... Bill Keener, a writer/photographer... David Robertson, a photographer... Bob Watters, the former Chief Park Ranger at Sequoia... Bill Tweed, our organizer, former park ranger, photographer and development head of UC Merced... Armando Quintero, Laurie Hoyle... SPF board member and three chefs... Anna Lisa, Tya and Sally... our camp host... Margie and various other guests dropping in for a visit during the trip.  This was the 4th year of the ABC trip.  It's purpose is to gather distinguished creative people together for a future promotional project that was yet to be determined.  The idea came from the old days of pioneering the area where photographers, painters, preservationists and like minded people documented the Sierras and petitioned congressional leaders to establish a National Park system.  We were honored to be part of the group.  Conversations ranged from sensitive artistic discoveries, to political assesments of our government's agenda to simple humor.  What a wonderful bunch of people.  We ate and drank like royalty.  I know we have made new friends that surely will pop up in our lives from time to time.

    

A Week at the Frank Bette Alameda Plein Air Paint-Out

Last week I spent five days painting on the island of Alameda which borders Oakland, CA.  It was the 4th annual event and is the primary fundraiser for the Frank Bette Art Center.  Debra Owens, the director of the center coordinated a fantastic week for the artists.  

Alameda is an extraordinary place with hundreds of old restored Victorian houses, an old Navy Air Field with many colorful old buildings, sail and power boats galore, a large beach overlooking San Francisco and interesting downtown shopping districts.

During my stay there I was hosted by Dr. Laurie Chaikin on her incredible 47ft Catamaran Yacht the Charleete II. Each day there were organized events for the artists.  We had an opening day artists party with sushi and assorted other goodies, portrait sessions, garden set-ups, house paintings and more.  One of the more memorable events for me was held at the Rock Wall Winery which occupies a huge old aircraft hangar at the now defunct Alameda Naval Air Station.  They hosted some artists with glasses of their fine wines while I painted from inside the hangar through the gigantic 8ft thick hangar doors that they opened for the occasion to reveal a sunset view across the bay to San Francisco.

Silvio Silvestri won Best of Show and the other award winners were equally terrific.  We couldn't have had nicer weather and the results were spectacular.