". Arranged Words: Trees and Things

6 Jul 2021

Trees and Things

                                                              Looks like a deserted island.
 Hi there,

       Another day along the river. Can anyone ever have too many of those? 

                      
                                                 Wonderful old trees along the Parkway. 

 If you been reading this blog for awhile, you will know that I love trees. Unfortunately, the nasty Gypsy moth caterpillars find them attractive and tasty too. When I was out at the Parkway recently, sitting at a picnic table under a tree, the caterpillars were falling on my head. I ran to better accommodations by the water's edge. 

In towns further down the highway the caterpillars have completely denuded and killed trees and are so busy munching others that the trees have lost the top quarter or more of leaves. Apparently, one adult caterpillar can chomp down one square foot of leaves a day. Parks Canada has decided to allow nature to take its course. I don't like spraying, but something should be done. It will take a really cold winter with temps to -20 to knock them back. One wonders when it will end. 


Such a beautiful tree.
 
First wildflower or a weed a Wild Pea, I think. Second one? Last picture Spatterdock, or yellow pond lily.


 Peonies ~ I can't resist buying a bunch.
* * * 
From the easel...



Nearly there.

Pastel on Pastelmat paper ~  Ribbons of Light 9 x 12"

Near the end of this painting I thought about adding a boat. But once the tooth of the paper is full, it's nearly impossible to add anything. Plans must be made early, I reckon.

An update on Terry Ludwig's pastels. I originally said I thought that his pastels were non toxic. I ordered a small box of his best loved colours and they did arrive with a warning.




I seem to be very partial to mountains and lakes and the sea, so I do have a few forest scenes in mind. Luckily, someone sent me several pictures that I can paint from.

For those looking for pictures to paint from. Here are two sites that provide free images:

Lately my main computer requires at least three re-boots before it works. My son, Jesse, just built a whole new computer from parts he ordered, (he's obsessed :) and, luckily, he hands down the parts from his old computer to me. He also bought me a new hard drive so I am hoping for great results.

Since Blogger no longer sends email notifications, I exported my email followers to a new feed. For those following by email you will receive notifications of my new posts from Follow.it. You will receive an email to confirm your subscription. Thank you for following. I hope all runs smoothly. 

Late to the party, but I just finished setting up a Pinterest account with a few boards. I be pleased if you followed me, and, of course, I will follow back.

 I generally take a July and August blog break. I will be posting on Instagram. I hope to see you there.

Be safe, well, and enjoy the summer, or the winter too!

Cultivate Your Dreams

Leaving you with a real oldie today. 


 
Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. Do drop by for a visit; you will be glad you did.
  Thank you, ladies, for hosting.

40 comments:

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Beautiful images!! You are quite the artist. I spent years battling caterpillars in trees with gallons of insecticide and other stuff. I don't think it does much good.

Veronica Lee said...

Such very lovely photos! You really are quite the artist!

Happy Wednesday!

Lea said...

Beautiful photos!
Have a blessed day!

NCSue said...

Thank you so much for visiting and sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/07/a-favorite-place-to-visit.html

magiceye said...

Lovely captures and wonderful paintings too!

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

Beautiful area, I am surprised you ever come home! I think it is really hard to find non-toxic paints. I have given up and decided apply caution like I am in a chem-lab when I am painting. Gorgeous paintings, I do love the blue water. Have a wonderful blog break!

-Soma

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Dixie, for this beautiful post. Tent caterpillars can be burned. We have a tree next door to us that gets them, and our neighbour cut the branches down and then burned them. Or if the tree isn't close to a house, you can light a home-made torch with a rag on a thick stick and burn them right on the tree. They are nasty things and destroy trees quickly. I love your pictures and paintings. Love, Joannie

R's Rue said...

Beautiful

Gillena Cox said...

Luv the peones. Sometimes tge caterpillars eat away at my plumerias. I stay clear away. I do not want them to fall on me.

Happy PPF

Much💜love

carol l mckenna said...

Beautiful pastel work ~ divine. ~ Lovely photos too ~ Xo

Dancing while I can,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely post Dixie. The photos are great, what a pity that those rapacious caterpillars are damaging them so badly. Beautiful art, too. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

Suzana said...

Amazing images! Thank you for sharing them!
Have a fabulous weekend!❤️

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Quite right. I think the munchers have the upper hand. :)
Thank you.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Hi Veronica,
Thank you so much.
Have a lovely weekend!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you, Lea.
Enjoy the weekend!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

And thank you for hosting, Sue.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Nifty name, Magiceye.
Thank you.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

It definitely does seem unreasonable to come home sometimes. :)
Thank you, Soma.
Best Wishes to you...

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

They have chewed their way through over 500,000 hectares. It boggles the mind.
Thank you, Joannie.
Have a lovely weekend.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you, Rue.
Best Wishes to you.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

No, they are not people friendly--that's for sure.
Thank you.
Sending my best wishes...

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Dancing is great, Carol. Good for you.
Thanks so much.
Best Wishes

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Hi Valerie,
Oh I feel for the trees--for sure.
Thank you.
Have a lovely weekend.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

And a big thank you to you, Suzana.
Enjoy the weekend!

Linda Kunsman said...

a lovely scenic painting, and any place by the water- whether it be the ocean, or a lake, or a river, or a stream, or a waterfall is like being in heaven to me. happy PPF!

Christine said...

Lovely photos and beautiful art!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

I agree, Linda. I love being by the water too.
Many thanks.
Have a good weekend.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you.
Best wishes, Christine.

Tom said...

...neat cirrus clouds and I haven't hear the Association in a long time. Thanks!

betty-NZ said...

Your choice of music is spot on! It bothers me, too, when I see something like the moths doing damage but, hopefully, the cold with slow them down.

It's great to see your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

riitta k said...

Your paintings are peaceful and beautiful. It is tragic that caterpillars are destroying the trees. Let’s hope for a miracle (freezing cold winter).

Rain said...

Hi Dixie :) I'm a tree lover too. The moth problem is concerning. I love days by the water...so glad you have such a lovely spot to go to! I have a Pinterest account, honestly I haven't been there in ages, but I'll look you up!! :)

Kinga K. said...

Fabulous nature and photos ❤

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Hello Dixie -- hope you are enjoying your well-earned time off from blogland. I don't do instagram, so hope you read your comments here when you come back in September! I am a tree-hugger also (and everyone should be). I still see gypsy moth traps in places around here (in western Oregon) but don't hear much about the little devils any more, so perhaps they are more or less under control hereabouts. Right now the huge danger is of course wildfires. ..... I don't think your serene and lovely painting needs the boat. It's lovely.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

You are welcome, Tom.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

So much fun to listen to older music, Betty.
Yes, it would be lovely it we had a cold winter.
Not something we usually wish for but in this case it
might work a miracle.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you, Riitta.
Enjoy the summer!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you, Rain.
Being by the water just makes a beautiful day all more lovely!

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thanks, Kinga.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Good to hear that the moths are under control in your area. I am praying for a cold winter to slow them down. I read somewhere that trees do have natural defensives against certain infestations.
I hope you have a lovely summer, Sallie. Thank you so much!