Southern Leopard Frog...my new neighbor...now residing in the rain barrel or is it the frog jacuzzi?

Frog seems so happy sitting and swimming all day. At night the outside lights bring plenty of bugs to eat so I would say Frog has quite a life of luxury! Doesn't even mind me walking by.......just sits there very still but recognizes my Min Pin so dips right down in the safety of the water. Some smart Frog wouldn't you say?

Carolyn Hietala

Eastern Box Turtle digging hole to lay eggs in Richmond, Virginia. Imagine being there to catch such a rarity as they are so shy.

I was walking my Min Pin just before bedtime last night along our driveway when I spotted this lovely box turtle diligently preparing a nest to lay her eggs. I was able to get a few photos but didn't want to disturb her so this morning I checked the site and she had expertly covered it with debris. I would never have know she had been there and such a priviledge to witness. Even though I didn't see the actual depositing of the eggs.......I just know they are there!
Carolyn Hietala

Lodan Fine Art graciously donated the picture frame for Nature Art Oil Painting #1 "Moth Pupa" to be sold for ARK (Area Rehabbers Klub)

Dan (shown with painting) and Lois were so kind to frame this painting. Many thanks go to them for their beautiful donation to ARK (Area Rehabbers Klub) our local wildlife rehabilitation organization here in Richmond, Virginia. The framed painting is available for purchase.

You may access Lodan Fine Art from their link in this blog. Please visit their beautiful gallery and their very talented featured artists.

Isn't this the cutest "Moth Pupa" you have ever seen? We're almost there!

The detail on the pupa is done. Now those boring little rocks need some life put into them. Also I searched for just the right moss to paint but came home empty handed.....until I looked what was growing against the foundation of the house! Perfect. Just what I was looking for.

Sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side.....it could be in your own back yard! Follow that yellow brick road right back home.

Rocks, sand, soil ...thought I surely would finish this painting today. Life got in the way! Tomorrow is another day ......

So close yet so far away!

Wildlife Rehabbers will get 100% of the proceeds from the sale of my Nature Art Oil Painting No.1 "Moth Pupa"

When this painting is completed

it will be available

for sale.

Our local ARK wildlife rehabbers

work very hard

and I appreciate all the aid

they bring to the injured and orphaned

wildlife of the State of Virginia.

I have personally taken them

a Red-tailed Hawk with a broken wing,

an injured Cardinal, Robin, Eastern Box Turtle,

and a baby Cottontail Rabbit

in the past two years.

I admire their dedication and this is only one small way

that I can help them.

This has been a labor of love, hence the "heart" in the painting.

Entomologists needed! Oil Painting of "Moth Pupa" ...and the detail work on painting begins ...

The components of this painting were collected from walks through the woods except for the pupa.






Last fall I was relocating some potted Amarylis plants and it was under one of them.
I was unsure of how to safely place it outside from the elements and predators so I brought it inside, putting it in a margarine tub nestled in paper towels.
I suppose it will be leaving me soon as it moves a lot.

If any entomologist can identify it email me and I will send photographs ........the child needs a name!

Nature Art Oil Painting No.1 "Moth Pupa" nearing completion ....satisfied with the movement in the composition ...all that is left is detail work ...

This painting began

with no prior planning.

Unusual for me

as I generally require a

completed drawing first.

The concept was

in my mind from the start

so I relied on imagination

and creative flow alone to bring it to life.

Hickory Nut joining Moth Pupa ...also leaf and more to come! Adds a little love ...see the heart in the nut? Not finished yet ......

Ever walked through the woods
after a rain storm?

My first discovery that
pupas existed happened just
that way.


Heavy rains dislodge
and expose secrets of nature
we never knew were there.

It awakens the land turtles that
come out to drink and
then rummage through the debris
for treasures such as this pupa.

If you take that walk though
......watch out for falling dead limbs
heavy with water!

Moth Pupa Painting ...moving right along ... won't be long now.

Nature Art Oil Painting No. 1 .......mapping out the background .....completed painting coming soon.

Pupa Painting ...base color done ...moving to background then will do detail on leaf/pupa/rock ...I love this rock/very colorful/interesting

"Moth Pupa" Painting ...still progressing

Nature Art Oil Painting No.1 "Moth Pupa" ...still a work in progress to be available for sale shortly.