Field Journal

My old friend Diane Winston

Ex State Representative, Diane Winston stopped by for a chat. She is always fun and a wonderful friend.

An old friend of Jim's stopped by

Tony and Debbie Sebastian visited the show to see what other artists were doing. Tony is an award winning local artist himself and his mixed media fish and birds are legendary.

Best In show !

We have been really fortunate to of done so well the summer.

The Albuquerque Balloon Festival

This festival has always been on our bucket list and it truly was a magnificent sight.

Balloons everywhere

Over 500 balloons, some 80 feet high took off at the same time. The launch site was only half a mile from our show.

Beautiful balloons!

This one almost crashed into the show tent as you can see.

More balloons!

As we drove out of town towards Santa Fe balloons followed us overhead. The night before hundreds of balloons illuminated the night by staying on the ground but lighting their balloons with flames from their burners

Anne's favorite photo

Don't Ask me why!

Visiting our friend,Marketta, in Taos, N.M.

After spending the day in Santa Fe visiting a new gallery, we drove up to Taos to visit Markeeta who went to Africa with us. What a beautiful home!

The old church

Taos Is loaded with historical sites and beautiful hiking trails. We could have stayed for weeks.

Natural bridge caverns in Texas

What an incredible place. Some of the most beautiful formations which seen in any cave in the country. Just outside of San Antonio.

Rooms with formations 100 feet high!

This place was just discovered by some students in 1963. It was huge and just beautiful.

Visiting the Alamo

We had to drop off a painting in San Antonio and had a wonderful dinner on the Riverwalk.

The Bayou city show in Houston

The show was a huge success and we got to visit with many of our old friends during the show.

I love when this happens

I love helping budding artists as much as I can. Dana came back to visit me and presented me with one of her artworks. She is definitely a talented young lady.

A successful Trip

It was a great trip but we were happy to get home to our 3 girls

It took several months to create this but was well worth it.

Communicating with chimpanzees

This was the 1st opportunity I've had to actually communicate with another species.

Chimpanzee art

It was interesting to see the fluid movements in the chimpanzees artwork.

Big Spring in Missouri

On our way home we stopped to do some hiking in the Ozarks. This was a big spring national Park. Millions of gallons of crystal-clear water flowing out the side of a mountain.

Boston Mills art show

1st place in the art division.

Jackson Hole Wyoming

One of our longest trips of the year. Visiting Mountain Trails Gallery in Jackson. Lots of hiking, rafting, and exploring Yellowstone Park

The beauty of Yellowstone Park.

Besides the beautiful scenery we photographed and sketched several species of wild animals.

Elk were everywhere

Besides elk, we saw bison, mountain goat, bear, and Moose.

On our way to Washington.

The American West is just beautiful and teaming with wildlife.

The Seattle art show

The Bellevue Art show in Seattle was wonderful. We got to visit with old friends and make new ones.

The Seattle Aquarium

We enjoyed a wonderful behind-the-scenes tour of the Seattle aquarium. One of Jim's associates is the dive officer there. Here's Chris showing Jim the jawbone of a killer whale.s

Back in Wyoming

We returned from Washington through Jackson hole to drop off artwork. More hiking and rafting and enjoying the mountains I love so much.

The national Museum of wildlife Art

One of my favorite places in the country. They had an incredible presentation on the art of Bob Kuhn, an artist I greatly admire

Sketching At the Bob Kuhn exhibit

Like me, Bob Kuhn used preliminary sketches as a catalyst for his art.

The Kimball Art show in Park city Utah

Wow! Another 1st place!

Dead horse Canyon, Moab Utah.

After working so hard at Bellevue and at Park city, Jim and I did some hiking in canyonlands national Park.

Kayaking the Colorado

3 days of hiking ,kayaking and hill climbing recharged my batteries.

The Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado

Our final stop was at our gallery in Aspen. We dropped off some art, hiked a few trails and headed home rejuvenated.

Sunset over False Bay

While in Capetown, we visited the famous Two Oceans Aquarium, Hiked around the top of Table Mountain with it's spectacular views, had brunch at our hotel overlooking the old harbor and did a beautiful sunset cruise .

The Cheetah Outreach center

After visiting the wineries of the Cape and having a gourmet lunch ,we visited the Cheetahs at Spier winery. WE enjoyed a close up visit with the Cheetah cubs and learned about a new program that uses trained Anatolian Shepard dogs to protect livestock.

Sleeping cubs.

Through Anne's friends at the Cheetah Outreach Center we were allowed a behind-the-scenes tour and got to touch and learn about several of Africa's most endangered species.

Beautiful Anatolian Guard Dogs

These huge dogs have been bred to protect livestock for over 6000 years and allow ranchers to live side by side with predators.This program saves hundreds of cheetahs each year .

Lunch in wine country

WE were treated to a wonderful gourmet lunch at one of South Africa's most prestigious wineries

The San Bushmen of the Kalahari

WE then journeyed up to Botswana to learn about the oldest civilization on the planet-the San Bushmen.They live today as they have for thousands of years,dependent on the dry desert for life's necessities.

The Hunting Ritual Dance

At night ,they visited our camp and demonstrated their ancient dances and, through an interpreter,explained their way of life.

Amazed by their own images

The se people still prefer sleeping under the stars every night and were delighted to see a video recording of their tribal dance.

Lions of the Kalahari

Anne spent hours in a huge pen of Lions. These lions had been caught before they were killed for eating cattle. Here they are fed wild game and cattle ,but the cattle meat is drugged to make them sick. Later, they can be released back into the wild safely

Dinner with the San

WE spent a day with these fascinating folks. They had killed a Kudu with bow and arrow and invited us to have dinner with them. They started a fire, cleaned the meat and cooked it for us -it was delicious!They live very simply but happily in the desert.

Up close with the lions

Upon release, these lions will teach their offspring that cattle are not on the menu. We really enjoyed being so close to well over 20 lions. WE took photos while Anne did sketches for later work.

Close up on Wild Dogs

The same camp had a wonderful wild dog be=reeding program. Once there was 15 million in Africa-now they number only about 15 thousand and are a critically endangered species. WE got to experience them feeding on a carcass from a few feet away.

A regal Family portrait

Needless to say, these lions will be the focus of a piece of art someday. They were beautiful and quite used to us by the time we left..

Our bushmen family

Although given housing ,they still prefer to live with only what they carry on their backs and sleep under the beautiful starry night sky.

Bushman children

The kids were so interesting and beautiful.

Lioness of the Kalahari

We loved hearing the lions at night- roaring to define their territory.

Bushmen Art

This woman's mother was an internationally famous artist in the "Bushman style", She was featured in this book. When Anne is around ,artists spring up out of nowhere. It's fun to see them share ideas with her.

More cute kids

The kids loved the Kazoos we shared with them.

Zebras at sunset

Oh yes... we saw loads of other animals.

Night falls over the desert

Anne and Ellen must have had a bit to much wine at dinner this night

Banoka Camp

Our cabins overlooked this Hippo watering hole. Loads of wildlife just outside our porch was wonderful to watch into the night

An old Male Hippo

This old male hippo tried to invade our hippo pool and the ensuing hippo fight was startling in it's ferocity and outcome!

Off to find another place to soak

The old male got run off and ambles toward our cabin in search of another water hole.

Warrior Queen

WE watched in awe for an hour as this incredible predator hunted it's dinner . Antelope was on the menu that night!

Boogie at the Banoka Boma

At this camp the locals put on a wonderful native dance and invited us to dance with them..

Another local artist

Another budding artist comparing notes with Anne.

Wild Dogs napping

Sleeping in the shadows of a tree ,we realized how the coloration of a Dog pack makes them invisible from a short distance.

Watching the Wild Dogs watch us.

What a unique animal, they will hunt down an animal and then stand aside and let the youngsters and injured eat first.

Waiting for our plane

WE flew from Camp to Camp to enable us to see as much of Africa as possible in 2 weeks. WE always booked 2 extra seats so we could bring all the luggage we needed.

Elephant walk

At Duma Tau our pool and deck was right on the elephant trail through the Okavango Delta.

Sunset on a lone Wild Dog

An old friend

WE followed this lioness as she caught up with her pride after a night of mating. Later we watch the same lion try to cross a river safely.

Eye to Eye with a maneater!

I froze as the lion slowly and menacingly walked up to within 3 feet of me! And then calmly walked around the back of our Rover.

Anne sketching

As we watched and photographed the dramas unfold ,Anne was busy with her pad and Pencil.

Lions swimming?

This beautiful shot was of our lion friend finally crossing the river ,wary of Crocs and hippos...

Off to join the Pride

Warthogs everywhere

Funny looking and comical in their actions sometimes

Elephants in the parking Lot!

WE saw many ,many elephants . This herd was feeding on the trees in the Duma Tau parking area blocking us from lunch while we photographed their family life.

Four for Lunch?

As we ate lunch one day, a huge bull elephant decided it wanted to join our group for lunch.

Hey ! Stop eating my cabin!

I guess this guy like the taste of tourist cabin!

CRUNCH!

Our rooms at Duma Tau

The rooms were wonderful! Private showers inside and out and hand carved wood everywhere.

Our Bathroom.

Besides a beautiful en suite bath, our porch overlooked herds of Elephant, Antelope, Giraffe,and Cape Buffalo!

Elephants feeding just outside our porch

This family of elephants bathed and played in the river in front of our cabin.

Our River boat

WE took a wonderful river cruise. WE happened to be at the right spot at the right time to see two large herds of elephant crossing . Watching the mothers help their little ones across was touching. Trunks make great snorkels!s!

Elephants finally across !

One of the herds we watched slowly swim across a lake in the Okavango Delta

A Rock Star Bird

Yellow, Red, with Black and white spots and a blue crown!

Stealing crumbs !

The bird life was amazing- these guys were everywhere!

Waiting to hunt

This beautiful leopard was waiting for dusk so that she could begin her hunt

The eyes of the Hunter

We followed this leopard into the night as she stalked her prey.

Breakfast over the Okavango Delta

Watching the animals feed as we feed.

Dinner under the stars

Two of our friendly and incredibly knowledgeable guides

Sunset overlooking Victoria Falls from our hotel

The Victoria Falls Hotel

Where the Queen stays when she comes to visit Africa

I love elephants

Jim arm wrestling an elephant- he lost.

They sure are “nosy”.

An elephant sized kiss

Our elephant back Safari was one of the highlights of the trip

A beautiful cheetah

An orphaned cheetah kiss

Soaking in the Zambezi

While Jim and the others fished for tiger fish, we found a comfortable pool and soaked the day away.

A black rhino family

The baby rhino here with his parents was only about 2 months old, but Weighed about 500 pounds

Our team at Victoria Falls

Lots to shop for at Victoria Falls

One Of the wonders of the world

Victoria Falls is one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. The thunder and roar of the water is hard to describe.

Rainbows everywhere in the mist

one of my favorite shots of the falls

A Matabele warrior we met on our Zambezi river cruise

Elephants on the Zambezi–the future art piece

Fishing the Zambezi

A good size Nile Perch, JIm hooked a 12 pound Tigerfish and released it.

We sighted many elephants on our Zambezi sunset cruise

Sunset on the Zambezi–awesome!

Our friend dancing at the Boma later that night.

Facepainting By an African artist at dinner that night

Antelope on the grill, warthog, Eland, and steak. A true African feast. Even the Mopani worms were delicious.

Too much fun and too many drinks

Fishing the Zambezi

We had a great time fishing on our Zambezi Canoe trip. We hooked a good size tiger fish. Quite a thrill!

Baby black rhino

We were captivated by this black rhino family relaxing 5 feet from our vehicle

Victoria falls hotel

This place is classic. It's where the Queen stays when she visits the Falls.

Sharing kazoos at the orphanage

One of our regular adventures takes us to the Victoria Falls orphanage.

Kazoo diplomacy

Dancing to kazoo music

Dancing to kazoo music

We had a blast dancing and singing with the kids

Our group with our new family

A rewarding experience for everyone

Our treehouse in Tanzania

After our adventures in South Africa, we journeyed to Tanzania to stay on an island in the Indian Ocean.

Our treehouse bedroom

CHOLE Minjini is an incredible resort made up of 8 treehouses on a small island that was once a Portuguese trading post. It was deserted in 1900, and overgrown with jungle for 100 years. a South African businessman bought the island .

Loading our DHOW for snorkeling

The entire island is run on solar power and to go fishing or diving you sail across the Indian Ocean.

Snorkeling was incredible!

Watching the stars from our treehouse

At night we watched thousands of fruit bats leaving the island to eat on the mainland. The stars were incredible

The loft in our treehouse

The loft looked out over the Indian Ocean and was a great place to read. Each night dinner was served at a different location in the ruins. Very romantic!

Wonderful undersea life!

The old ruins

Over the past hundred years trees have taken over the remains of the trading post. Note the doorway in the overgrown wall behind me.

Sailing home!

What a wonderful island and a romantic visit thanks to our friend Jean Paul and his wife. We can't wait to visit again!