Along the old Canal

The Canal Bridge Pool:

The beautiful weather combined with good stream conditions is producing some great early season trout fishing. The lower Neversink River is recovering nicely from the floods of the past few years and we are seeing strong Caddis and Hendrickson hatches. The trout are doing their part and are responding nicely to well presented flies. Hence forth my absence from my post the last few weeks as it is time to be on the river. This painting in oils of the the old D&H Canal bridge at Cuddebackville reveals an angler enjoying the sport.This popular spot receives alot of fishing pressure and is overlooked by many as "fished out" but it is the home to some lunker browns..... also it is a great place to try for shad,which I heard yesterday have entered the river. Enjoy Spring and get out on the River.

My Personal Wood Ducks?

My Personal Wood Ducks?

Ask me which waterfowl is my favorite and I will have a tough time giving an answer.But if my art portfolio is any gauge, most would agree I have a thing for Wood Ducks. Who could blame me? I dont think I ever get tired of them.The Drake of the species has to be one of the most beautiful birds on earth.

Wood Duck people are having some good years latley as their numbers have soared, Not bad for a bird whom once seemed in serious trouble. Good sound management and tight restrictions on gunning have helped but our recognition of their proper nesting sites has been the key. The land abandonment practice which began at the beginning of the 20th century has allowed for the reforesting of much of the Northeast and provided plenty of trees which these birds love to use as nesting sites. I was surprised to learn how far from water these ducks will go to nest and how high above ground. The most amazing thing is the Duckling leap. This free fall to earth is instrumental to their development and Hatchlings deprived of this experience will not survive. Talk about tough love!

The Drake wood Duck is a very giving bird. As a game bird they are fast on the wing, When added to the game bag they are always sketched and studied, Their flank feathers are collected and used to tie the Famous Catskill Fly Patterns. These feathers are so valued for their effectiveness that at least one of the fathers of American Fly Tying ( RUBE CROSS) was actually jailed for possession of wood duck feathers when these birds were protected. They are excellent on the table as well!

Yesterday I witnessed a courtship flight which terminated with a pair of Woodies hanging in one of my trees all day. I hope they are nesting, It wood be nice to have a personal Wood Duck Family.

An Evening Grosbeak tale

An Evening Grosbeak Tale,

Some years ago a box containing an seemingly done for bird arrived on my back porch.Someone decided that a Wildlife Artist would know what to do. As I gazed into the box I was amazed at the beauty of this creature all decked out in his yellow green, with his black and white wings. His fate now in my hands,What would his price tag be for meeting the wrong picture window or windshield this cold December day?

He appeared for all intensive purposes to be ready to migrate on to that Golden Habitat in the sky but I sensed something about him and decided to let him be the judge. I placed some water and a little dish of birdseed inside the box and left him alone. I was surprised the next morning to find him in the same place in the same condition, as I was prepared for some post mortem sketches and then the transfer of his remains to the woods for his final roosting. The following day was the same except for a new gift which I believe he gave to me as a sign. A little bird poop on the shelf. Could this be from him? It was out of the box. Hmmm.... The following day two new gifts had been offered, But there he was in the same place in the box. This went on for several weeks and finally one day there he was standing on the shelf . The little bird would return to his box at the end of each day. A few days later he would travel more and more around around my porch and leave gifts.He now varied his walks with wing beats and would do reps of window climbs and when tired would return to his box. A few days past and I came out to check on him and he was already out for his exercise and gave me a look which I interpreted as a request to go home. I opened the window and a moment later he flew out as if nothing had ever happened to him. He perched in a tree for about ten minutes and then took off like a shot. He was gone.

Although I missed him, I was glad that he decided to recover and return to his homeland. A few weeks later I happened to look out my back window and was shocked by what I saw. The entire back yard was filled with Evening Grosbeaks. They were hundreds and they were only on my property. It was one of the most visual sights I can ever recall. The brightness of the their plumage against the overcast woods was fantastic. Then suddenly they all took flight and were gone. This species of bird had never been to my feeder before and have never returned. I became interested in them and have learned that they were once one of the most popular birds in the Northeast just as recent as 20 years ago. It appears that they are in serious decline.

I would welcome any news of these birds. Hope you have enjoyed this weeks post. Enjoy the Spring. KJS

This painting is a study in oils ,size 5x7 on hardboard and is available.

The Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound.

I hope you enjoy this portrait of an Irish Wolfhound. This was a small oil, 5x7 painted on masonite. These are beautiful dogs and very gentle.I would like to have one myself. Happy St. Patricks Day Everyone.

Irish Blood American Dreams: Father Corby

Irish Blood American Dreams: Father Corby:

Upon the present day Gettysburg Battlefield there are two places which are important stops for me, One the Irish Brigade monument and The Father Corby Statue. It is a stirring monument to the moment of his address and words of absolution he gave upon the Brigade as they prepared to enter battle. Catholic and non -Catholic side by side took to thier knees and bowed thier heads.

This study in oils on canvas board was rendered in the 1860's style of two colors on a medium tone. Surrounding myself with images of Corby I set out to capture a likeness and completed the portrait you see.

I urge everyone to study this Important American historical figure and note the contributions he made to country and faith.

Irish Blood American Dreams, a painting to think about...

Irish Blood American Dreams:

Denny's restaurant's latest advertizing celebrating the Irish Famine has struck a truly deserved negative chord in the Irish Community and sparked an outrage. Perhaps some have forgotten in this country that this famine is still recent history and that much of what we do today as Americans is because of the sacrifice of the victims of this tragedy. The young men fortunate enough to have survived this starvation travelled to America by the thousands in the 1860's and filled the ranks of both Federal and Confederate Armies and shed thier blood so that this Country could survive.

I offer this portrait of this North Carolina Soldier to represent the memory of these men and hope that it will remind our corporate giants that a famine is not something to take lightly.

Geese over the Shawangunk, the story behind the painting...

Geese Over The Shawangunk....

Most people equate a Canada Goose painting with an Autumn flavor, however this oil painting announces the arrival of spring here in the Hudson Valley of N.Y. I sense this annual show is not changed much over the past 12 thousand years, although most recently the Indian wigwams have been traded in for empty Mcmansions which now dot the landscape.I am sure the old Shawangunk mtn. has witnessed many changes but the annual migrations of geese are a constant.

I am always tickled by the power of my editing paintbrush. As we endure our most brutal snowstorm of the season today, I am reassured by this piece as I know it reflects the warming days of March which lie ahead.The first returning geese have already arrived in the area and are spending an interesting day snowwalking ,they will gather in great numbers on the Wallkill River and await thier next chance to push forward North. Allysa Kulibaba Collection.