Studio Time and Nature Walk

After two long afternoons in the studio, I finally finished this Sedona scene that I had been working on at the request of someone special. (If you can guess, shhhh! I don't want them to see it yet.)

It's been a very rainy day, but the clouds parted for a few minutes and the balmy temperatures drew me out for a walk with the dogs. There are a few tiny signs that spring is on its way.
It's a little scary to see buds and blooms this early after the devastating late freeze that we had a couple of years ago when the leaves were already on the trees. There was no fruit at all locally and it took a long time for the leaves to return. It was a sad spring followed by a tough drought. I hope that we ease gently into spring without too much cold. It's a little to optimistic to think that we won't have a bit more though.

The dogs enjoyed the excuse to explore. Maggie was in constant motion so my first attempts at a picture of her were just a blur. She finally paused for a drink and a dip in the pond.

Milo found a tiny pond of water captured in a root and refreshed himself.

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet