Often, I am required to do some driving in the country, which I love, and although sometimes I forget to bring my camera with me, early this morning it was along for the ride. We are happily experiencing “warmish” weather and gentle mornings for November.
I admit I had some trepidation about posting these photographs. But I think the subject is beautiful, even in death. A family of Robins are still occupying our yard. It seems late to me but it appears that the Robins had a late batch of babies and they are still here preparing for the migration. Except this little guy. I found him yesterday and he had apparently flown into a window. I am a huge lover of birds and they are often a subject of my art (not usually in this way) so I find this little subject sad but compelling. Also, I was driving a couple of weeks ago and a huge bird sideswiped my car and perished. I feel a bit like an unwilling enemy, so this is meant in a loving way. A tribute to nature’s beauty and frailty and to all delicate living creatures. 
All images © Karen McRae
goodbye
I thought these moth orchid blossoms deserved one last look. So here you go, I promise to move onto something else…for now. Enjoy!
Previous Phalaenopsis post here.
All images © Karen McRae
You may remember a post of spider orchids that I did here. These are photographs of those same orchid blossoms which have obviously been aging awhile. The light was changing and shifting with the clouds as I was photographing these so the colour tones shifted also. They make me think of little dancers or insects. I had a hard time choosing which images to share and also I’ve been “dissecting” the little moth orchids so you may be subjected to another orchid post in the near future. Bear with me…
(click on images to enlarge)
All images © Karen McRae
Sadly this beautiful neo-Gothic style church in Aylmer, Quebec was burned out over two years ago. It was suspected to be arson but no one was ever charged. The shell is still standing but is slated to be torn down to make room for a new church. The parishioners were hoping to rebuild this 1862 landmark but couldn’t find the financial backing for such an expensive project. I find the ruins of the church are still striking and beautiful. The pigeons call it home. (click on images to enlarge)
All images © Karen McRae
Wouldn’t you just be itching to explore these little structures?
I came across these little out-buildings when I was taking a “road less traveled” the other day. Maybe it’s because I spent many idyllic hours as a child in similar rickety old buildings that I find these so intriguing. Of course they don’t look very safe, but that’s part of the attraction.
I‘ve always liked drawing feathers. Attempting to capture their delicacy and weightlessness with graphite. Here I’ve included a little drawing of feathers from my sketchbook with a series of photographic studies, again playing with light and shadows. *Hope you’re not bored with all my monochromatic posts of late, I actually do love colour! *
(click on images to enlarge)
(I ♥ the creamy, thick drawing paper in a Moleskin sketchbook, it feels incredibly luxurious.)
All images © Karen McRae
A serene late afternoon by the water, and even some sun! It’s been scarce lately. The water was so calm the reflections really stood out. Some of the trees are almost bare and others are still hanging on making for lots of different shapes and form.
All images © Karen McRae
October is in this kind of mood: 
All images © Karen McRae
draw and shoot 