Discoveries on the Eastern Shore

Every day on the Eastern Shore, with intention, or not, I have a National Geographic moment. From the baby squirrels living in the thirty foot wide maple tree in my yard, to the luminescent bugs tapping on my window, the trio of bats that circle and feast around my house at sunrise and sunset, to the adorable leopard toads that I have to watch for when I mow the lawn, to a bald eagle gently coasting over the road, the vibrant tulips, irises and daffodils that magically present themselves around the house and studio...and the list could go on an on... I cannot even begin to describe the numerous daily encounters. This Eastern Shore has a serene natural beauty that I know is ineffable. Nevertheless, I will continue the attempt to share the wonders because my fascination, awe, and curiosity drive me to.

Musings from my Biosphere 2 Days

While working at the Biosphere 2, the juxtaposition of nature in a man-made containment often threw my thoughts into multiple musings about man and his relationship to nature. Some of the original intentions behind the Biosphere involved testing our capabilities of creating a self-sustaining system similar to our amazing biosphere 1, earth. Some have thought that early planners of this project believed that we were going to destroy this planet and this was a prototype for a haven on a new planet. With obstacles beyond our prediction and understanding, this humbling project has since evolved into a giant test-tube of sorts, where scientists can learn more about ecology and environmental science. It is baffling to me that we have created so much technology that destroys nature, and very little to work with and understand it.

We are no where near the ability to create sustainable habitats on other planets, but perhaps this giant green house in the desert will help us better understand the complexities of nature that we barely understand.

From Sea Glass to Sea Shells

I went to the Delaware Seashore last weekend to collect sea glass. I came home with the most beautiful variety of sea shells and only five pieces of sea glass. I was flabbergasted by the varieties of shells and rocks that were there. It surpassed anything that I ever encountered on west coast beaches. Beach combing may have to become a new past-time for me. I can't even begin to describe the heavenly serenity found as each unique remnant of sea-life was unearthed by my fingers. There was an almost ineffable joy as I lay on the beach, with the patterned song of the oceans waves rumbling in my ears, and combed my fingers through the cool, treasure-filled sand.

One of my favorite finds was a small fossilized rock with what appears to be very small trilobites or arthropods and fossilized sea worms. It may be from the Paleolithic period, or it could be Pre-Cambrian. Since I am not a Paleontologist, and have very little knowledge of fossils, I am not sure. But the rock fossil itself is fascinating and beautiful.

Calypso the Desert Stow-Away

Calypso is a beautiful ornamental tree lizard from Arizona who found his way to the marshes of the Eastern Shore of Maryland by stowing away in one of my paintings. He traveled thousands of miles in hibernation between a wooden frame and hardened acrylic blobs of color. Like the painting, he now displays a rich array of colors. In the morning his underside is a gentle hue of light sky blue, and his neck becomes a tint of yellow-orange. As the day proceeds his belly undergoes a continuous transformation from an almost turquoise blue to a rich brilliant primary, while his throat develops into its exact opposite color, an almost fire orange.

Calypso is flaunting his beautiful colors to find a mate. Male tree lizards of his coloration typically have at least six females. Perhaps that is why I mistakenly call him Henry all the time. I thought it was because the last reptile I fostered was a desert tortoise by that name, but now I think it is because it is more fitting. I know I can not help him with his search, but I have resorted to hunting and collecting slugs and flies to feed him. He refuses to eat the canned grasshoppers I bought him from the pet store.