Sea Float Scramble

Yesterday was the Third Annual Seafloat Scramble.  Callahan's Firehouse created and donated 300 beautiful hand blown sea floats and had volunteers hide them "in plain view" at Langley's Seawall Park, as well as in a smaller park for the younger youngsters.  We had a half dozen intrepid sketchers capturing the fun of the morning, including two relative newbies from further up the island.  We Sketchers were allowed in amongst the nests and gently placed baubles whilst the public waited excitedly behind the lines for the 11 a.m. bell.  Then, a mad dash for the sea floats!  What a great time.  What great energy.  Thank you, Callahan, for your generosity.  Afterwards, we Sketchers cozied over fresh French pressed java at Kalakala, sharing sketching secrets. 

A Sea Float over Saratoga Passage

North Instead of South Today

Well, change in sketching plans today.  Had planned to sketch with the group at the Zen Monastery but didn't finish my work for a Monday morning meeting in time to head South.

So I threw my sketching stuff in the car and headed North instead.  After looking at carpet samples and flooring in Oak Harbor for a client, I headed out to the beach at Mariner's Cove.  Solitary sketching instead of with the group.  Sure not the same but better than nothing on this sunny summer afternoon.

"TWO EAGLES on BABY ISLAND"

I sat out on the back patio of Barbara and Mary's house, under the pine and flowering apple, listening to the musically trickling fountain, with humming birds all around, sparrows in the throes of spring love, herons gliding past at eye level over the water, listening to the sketchers all around me happily painting and chatting. Out on Baby Island two bald eagles came in for a rest - one landed in the top of the clump of trees that crown the island, the other stood at attention on the grass. In the two hours I sketched, the tree eagle took off twice to skim the water and snag a fish, carrying it back to its perch in the treetop. The other eagle never moved - just stood swiveling his big, shiny white head around to survey his domain. What peaceful, lovely day in idyllic surroundings.

Afternoon on the North End

Easter Sunday.  Everything's closed.  Wind's blowing hard but sun is out.  Not a good garden day but a great sketch day.  Decided it was a good afternoon to explore the North End of Whidbey Island. 

Started in Oak Harbor at Holland Gardens Park,  Then went to the Sea Plane Base.

Kept meandering north.  Stopped in Mariner's Cove to sketch this great pile of floats while looking over to north end of Camano Island.  Lots of white caps on Skagit Bay/Saratoga Passage.

Then caught a quick sketch of alpacas on farm at the intersection of Taylor and Silver Lake Roads.  My "mobile studio" - aka my 2000 Miata - served me well on this windy day. 

Blog Crasher!

Must post something! Here's a picture of Whidbey looking from Camano. Appropriate.