Black-Capped Chickadee and Cherries 

The black cap separates this species from the more northern brown-headed chickadee.  The narrow white feather edges which give the folded wing a finely striated look and the white tipped lower throat feathers which effect a gradual transition from the black of the throat to the white of the breast are only plumage differences between it and the Carolina chickadee.  In the field the difference in voice is the best means of identification.  
In summer this is a woodland species, but it often ranges into adjacent orchards and shade trees. Later the birds roam more widely in small noisy flocks that are often joined by other birds.  Their easily whistled notes, a kiss on the back of the hand, or a screech owl imitation attracts them.  They come readily to window-shelf feeders baited with `sunflower seeds, suet, or peanut butter.  Their natural food is chiefly insects---adults and larvae in summer, eggs and pupae in winter---plus some wild berries, seeds, and fruits.


Easter Lilies and Baby's Breath

The Latin name for the Easter Lily, is native to the Ryukyu Islands of Southern Japan. The Latin name is Lilium longiforum. 

Today over 95% of all bulbs grown for the potted Easter Lily market are produced by just ten farms in a narrow coastal region straddling the California-Oregon border, from Smith River, California up to Brookings, Oregon.

Dating back to Biblical lore, the lily is mentioned numerous times in the Bible.  One of the most famous Biblical references is in the Sermon on the Mount, when Christ told his listeners:  "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet ....Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

Often called the "white-robed apostles of hope," lilies were found growing the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ's agony.  Tradition has it that the beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ's sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and deep distress.  Churches continue this tradition at Easter time by banking their alters and surrounding their crosses with masses of Easter Lilies, to commemorate the
resurrection of Jesus Christ and hope of life everlasting.

This is a poem by Louise Lewin Matthews capturing the essence of the Easter lily:
Easter morn with lilies fair
fills the church with perfumes rare,
as their clouds of incense rise,
sweetest offerings to the skies.
Stately lilies pure and white
Flooding darkness with their light,
Bloom and sorrow drifts away,
on this holy hallow'd day.
Easter Lilies bending low
in the golden afterglow,
Bear a message from the sod
to the heavenly towers of God.

Until next month, hope you enjoy these paintings.  I have been working on another painting and you will have to wait until next month to see it.