Monday, May 3, 2010

Sweet Nest

Happy Birday, acrylic/collage, 5 x 7, Elizabeth Seaver
Sold

Oh my...do I have a story about nests.  One less appetizing than meant to be in the painting above.

Sunday afternoon, I heard much commotion outside my kitchen window and looked out to see two robins in a very agitated state.  They were flying away and back to a tree at the bottom of our driveway.  The flights were short and jerky and the birds were making alarming sounds.

I went to stand below the tree and saw a nest in the crook of two small branches which I had not noticed before.  And wrapped around the tree with its head in the nest was a long black snake.  The birds dove at it again and again, trying to drive the serpent away.

I stood below in a quandary.  My instinct was to pull the snake out of the tree by its tail and fling it into outer Mongolia.  But truly, how long could I keep it from coming back?  Was I going to set up camp in the ivy to guard the little ones?

Finally I came to the painful realization that this was nature at work, and it really wasn't my job to interfere.  

Soon, the snake reversed its way down the tree and disappeared into the undergrowth.  The male and female robins fluttered around the nest a little while, but I have not seen them near it today.  I don't even know whether there were eggs in the nest or peeplings.  Sigh...signs are not favorable for their survival.

On a happier note, I am having such fun painting little things, and several paintings have gone to good homes lately, including the duck in a beach chair from the last post and the two paintings below.


Evening, acrylic, 6 x 18

Midnight, acrylic 6 x 18

Welcome to my new followers!  More later....



27 comments:

Michelle said...

Oh, no. It would be so hard not to stop the snake, but you did the right thing. The snake must eat, too. Your paintings are very nice. Love the bird in the cupcake!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Michelle. I still feel kind of horrified by the whole event, but I think I did the right thing to stay out of it.

Thanks for commenting!

martinealison said...

La nature nous paraît parfois si cruelle surtout lorsque les proies sont sans défense.
I like your paintings veru much.
Bises

Vicki Greene said...

I do hate to see things like that happen. Congratulations on you sells and the birthday bird is adorable.

Unknown said...

A fascinating story! Nature is an awesome thing, but I'm glad the nestlings remained intact and the worried parents found peace. Your paintings are so wonderful! I like the textures and imaginative designs. Just great :-) Congratulations on the sale of your works!!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Thanks for visiting, MartineAlison. I'm glad you like my paintings. Right back at ya!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Thanks, Vicki!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Kathy. Thanks for such warm support. I'm so enjoying your discussion of Art and Fear. Your blog is so interesting, and your art, fabulous!!

Kim Rempel said...

Oh, I love Happy Birday! How much fun is that? Makes me laugh just looking at it. Great job : )

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hey, Kim: The title came because I made a typo as I was spelling it in the post. I like it!

Elizabeth said...

Happy Birthday is Fabulous!!!!! And having it small makes it so approachable and fun for so many who might want to purchase and actually be able to do so price wise!! Very SMART< E!!!
The snake story- EEEWWWWW!! I ahte snakes but they are important creatures in the Circle of life- no singing please!!! You did the right thing and I can tell that you were born in Texas- even thinking of grabbing it by the tail and flinging it!!!!!This girl has snake experience!!!!

Dana Cooper said...

Elizabeth, your work is so unique and fun...I love the duck in the beach chair, and this cupcake looks so festive...wonderful!
Enjoyed the snake story too...you are very brave in my opinion to consider touching it...yikes!

Gwen Bell said...

You never cease to make me smile. This is SO creative and so well done!
Love the finishing touch with the cherry on top.

Congrats on the sells! Those swirly trees of yours are gems.

Connie Chadwell said...

Wow, Elizabeth, you are so brave! I was admiring your lovely artwork, then my eyes dropped down to the text - I would have done the same thing, but only because I would be scared to pull the snake out of the tree - so kudos for both your bravery and for doing the right thing! And I love Happy Birday - it's unique and totally charming!

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

I would have done the same thing with the snake. Mostly because I would have been terrified to go near the snake. It is a little heartbreaking, that's why I don't want to watch the series Planet Earth. Nature taking it's course can be good and bad. Your artwork is so whimsical and beautiful! I love your imagination:) Thanks for stopping by my blog:)

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hey, Elizabeth. Yeah, I talk big, but actually, not so sure I'd have been able to touch the snake with my hand. I was thinking a snake stick, ten-foot-pole kind of thing!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Dana. Thanks so much for your supportive remarks about my work. I do appreciate it!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hey, Gwen. Your comments always lift my spirits! Thanks so much.

Linda Popple said...

I have been blogging for 4 months - how in the world did I miss your fantastic blog?!!! I love all your whimsical pieces! I will be coming back to see what comes next! :-)

Linda G said...

oh Elizabeth what a hard thing to watch. When Tim was about 5 he tried to save a 2 or 3 day old robin from the cat. He was ferocious! chasing the cat off. Of course the robin was too little to survive.

Vicki Shuck said...

Great story, Elizabeth! You're a brave soul--I couldn't have grabbed a snake!! Your paintings are a joy. Thank you.

Dorothy said...

Take it from someone who knows, she wouldn't have touch that snake; but she would certainly have desired to save others lives!!

Love what you are doing and love you!

Andrew Finnie said...

Late to the pary am I? :) This one makes me hungry. Beautiful as always . It beats me how you can get everything to work together so well! all those different elements are so harmonious.

see you

Gary Keimig said...

Letting nature do her thing can be hard at times. I used to shoo away the Great Horned Owls to supposedly protect my welfare rabbits but... Anymore I just let nature take its course.
Congratulations on your sales. I am working the gallery today and have had 1 person in. Having snow for 4th day in a row and was 15 degrees F last night so not too pleasant for shoppers. Did sell him 2 Giclee prints and 2 paper prints so it has been a good day for me. WHOOPEE!

Deborah Younglao, Silk Painter said...

How distressing! Nature does seem unfair sometimes. But yes you did the right thing

Congrats on the sales! It's hard to believe these wonderful paintings are so small.

layers said...

Hello. thanks for stopping by my blog. I see you are also into collage- but more playful and whimsical which I like very much.

Celeste Bergin said...

I would be lying if I said I liked your snake story. oi. But I DO love the paintings...all of them.