# 91 Nutcracker

A handsome bird that likes to stay high in the tree tops, the nutcracker loves pinenuts. JLC

# 90 Lavender Field

Provence, France: nope, it's New Mexico. Lavender fields thrive here when placed in the proper climate zone. New Mexico offers a climate for everyones taste, the rest of the country is just now beginning to discover New Mexico's unique history and landscape: fitting for the last hold out in the union. JLC

# 89 Salmon Colored Rose

A simple rose had to be a least one of the flowers painted this month. JLC

# 88 Western Tanager

Not a Canary, but just as colorful, pairs of these frequent our Junipers; they probably have their nest in there, sticking close our garden for food. JLC

# 87 Rufous Hummingbird

From a far away land, these hummingbirds follow the Rocky Mountains down to us every summer. They are more agresive than our local ones, but the color of the Rufous is unique. JLC

# 86 Unicorn Flower

Something amazing happens from painting flowers, one begins to see a delicate and subtle part of nature come to life. Through observation, one may discover that flowers are quite alert and respond quickly to change in their environment. By studying flowers, one learns how nature communicates to us on different levels. JLC

# 85 Portrait of a Robin

One very special, yet common bird, a cautious hunter, possessing skills seperate from other birds, understated in it's grace and elegance. The background is of course; Robin's Egg Blue, and this is the "early bird who catches the worm". JLC

# 84 Red Admiral Butterfly

This is another butterfly I grew up seeing in southern California, it is strange to see so many of the same critters way up here in the New Mexico mountains. JLC

# 83 Lily Bloom

The two pods on either side of the bloom are just starting to open, they sort of un-zip themselves to reveal this beautiful flower. JLC

# 82 White Admiral

Not to be confused with the "Red Admiral", having these critters floating around just adds to the ambience. JLC

# 81 Hibiscus Flower

One awesome flower, these plants can become the size of small trees in the right climate. They come in many colors, and make a great tea. JLC

# 80 Datura Metaloids

On full moon nights, these flowers open wide and follow the moon across the sky, they seem to stand and reach upward with their delicate white trumpet to gather the cosmic rays. JLC

# 79 Sunset Moonrise

White cranes with their flowing manes inhabit the quiet areas of local marshlands. These birds never let you get too close, and have very watchful eyes. If these birds are nearby, you are most likely in a very nice spot of nature, and they are probably wondering why you are there. JLC

# 78 Gliding Hawk

These birds cruise by so close one can hear them breathing, yet their feathers are silent. Sometimes, they sharply exhale like a weight lifter releasing a bar; I was startled to hear the strength in their breath the first time. JLC

# 77 Yarrow Patch

Gardeners tell me this plant attracts bugs that eat aphids, the yellow glare of this plant was so bright in the sun, I had to pick it and bring it inside to look at it. JLC

# 76 Scabiosa

"Purple Pin Cushion" is another name for this flower, some more purple than others, this is a more purple one. JLC

# 75 Sparrow Hawk

Also known as Kestrals, these birds can hover in one place. Small animals flee when this little hawk is around: woodpeckers peer out of their trees with much concern. JLC SOLD

# 74 Mallard Duck

Hypnotic-like in their rhythm, reflections have always fascinated me. This brightly colored duck is obscured by the shapes of the water; much like camouflage. JLC

# 73 Annabelle Flower

Glowing white, and snowball sized, these flowers have the pleasant faint smell of roses. I have discovered they are called Annabelle's and related to the Hydrangea flower. JLC SOLD

# 72 Monarch Butterflies

Monarchs are the ones that swarm Montery, California every year, covering trees covered with their glittering wings. Even the multi-colored, tiger stripped caterpillars of this butterfly are beautiful; except when they are on your tomatoes. JLC

# 71 Stellar's Jay

This is one of three kinds of Blue Jays that frequent around here, this one struck a curious pose for his portrait. JLC

# 70 Daffodils

Flowers are one of the most challenging subjects to paint, to capture their form and delicate nature is tricky work. This month will certainly help my ability to understand these subtle glories. JLC

# 69 Spotted Towhee

Towhees are very sharp looking birds, the closer I look at nature, the more she reveals of her endless array of colors and patterns. JLC

# 68 Poppies

Big orange poppies are opening from their thistle-like stocks, the color of this flower is very intense to the eye. If there are enough poppies around, the sky actually appears a deeper blue as one's eye compensates for balance. JLC

# 67 Purple Vine Flower

How bad can a bug be? After all, they live their entire lives hanging out in these wonderful flowers, some of which smell like heaven. JLC

# 66 TigerSwallowTail

Like a stained glass window in beauty, yet, these critters fly with ease in a strong breeze. JLC

# 65 Watchful Hawk

As I am painting this hawk, a huge Tiger Swallowtail is flying all over the place, everytime I try to get a look, he's gone. Sooner or later, he will sit still long enough for me to get a glimpse, he must be over five inches across. JLC

# 64 Blue Bunting

Sparrow sized and electric blue, these birds are very skiddish when approached. JLC

# 63 Sugar Pumpkin

I started out painting this whole flower bright yellow, but when I looked more closely, I realized there was actually very little yellow in it. JLC

# 62 Soaring Eagle

June's theme is "Flowers, Butterflies and Birds". Spring was late getting here, so now is our time for flowers. The birds will allow me to continue my landscape practice by putting them into it. And lastly, butterflies are everywhere with their incredible colors. JLC