Spring!

"Always be on the lookout for wonder"

—E.B. White

Nests by the Letter

I love how some birds take advantage of the big neon signage on store-fronts by building nests in the letters. Any letter with a closed curve is popular, especially O's and C's. Capital A's make the perfect A frame, of course. Numbers are great, too, as they combines curves and straights in the best ways (thanks to their tasteful arabic designers of long ago).

I'm sure the merchants who run these stores have a different opinion. Occasionally, there are attempts to clear out these modern aviaries. But I like to think the birds got a one-up on human development here. A warm, high safe spot to rest. And perhaps the nestlings learn their ABC's!

Art on the Fly

If you're in the mood for some great art exhibits and a little entertaining soul-bearing about making art, please stop by the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art this Sunday. At 1pm, I'm giving a talk on the birds book. It's in conjunction with a wonderful exhibition entitled "Taking Wing", a collection of children's book art involving flying creatures. And while you're there, check out the pop-up show as well, featuring Robert Sabuda's coming-at-ya creations.

For information, go to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art website-
www.crma.org/Event/Detail/310/Presentation-and-Book-Signing-by-Claudia-McGehee.aspx

Eagle Dreams

I love watching the parents switch off for the night shift. It's snowed a few nights ago and a light layer of powder dusted the eagle's protective back. Tonight, Dad made a small pillow of nest "fluff" to support his head as he slumbered.

In the night
I rest from flight,
and dream of eagle things;
of shining fish,
of winds that lift,
and young ones under wing.

Board book off to print

Board book art is now approved and heading to the printers. Amen to this. My fingers still ache. Pass the word to the Lutherans in your life, there's a fine little book on baptism (just perfect for a God-parenting gift!) winging this way in June. More when it arrives.

In like a lamb

March- oh, blustery birthday month. As wet snow hit the windshield, Lucy and I took a drive out to Fae Ridge Farms, a lovely organic farm outside of Iowa City, run by Jeanette with love and passion. She has all sorts of life stock out there- this was Lucy's first encounter with goats when she was about four (where upon seeing their horns, she asked me if they were antenea!) Jeanette sells things like luscious dyed wools and eggs and seasonal things like basil and flowers. She also crafts beautiful felted animals, like the little lamb in this post. Today Fae Ridge Farms hosted a book event celebrating my good friend Michelle's new title "A Knitter's Home Companion", a great collection of essays, recipes and philosophies on knitting. We came back and warmed up, enjoying the first of spring through our windows, with a cup of tea and a nice fire in the firplace.


www.faeridgefarm.com
www.michelledwards.com

Eagle Cam

I'm watching the Decorah eagle nest camera this year again. Here's a capture off of last year's nesting time. A new sponsor is keeping up the website, so if you can take the ads that pop up for a few seconds before the live feed begins, it's worth it. AND, it's egg time! Two eggs are being sat on as I type. Last year, three eggs hatched and all three babies survived to fledge. Very cool. The parents are so attentive.

Interesting Eagle fact of the day- an eagle's egg is about the size of a tennis ball.