Day 4951: An Analogy & Propolis "Bee-glue".

   

"Diversion":  junk collage.

                                                                       

  

Want music?

    Click: Babyface, Everytime I Close My Eyes.

2GN2S

(author unknown)

Bees are not just honey makers — they are also nature’s tiny builders and protectors. In autumn, bees gather resin from tree bark and buds to create propolis, a natural sticky “bee glue” that helps seal their hive for the cold winter ahead.

This incredible natural substance doesn’t just close small gaps in the hive. It also acts like a natural disinfectant, helping keep the entire colony safe from harmful germs and bacteria.

Nature has its own engineers, doctors, and architects — and the humble bee does all three. A tiny insect with a huge responsibility for its colony and for our planet.

 

  

 

A 5+ minute video, Top Torpedo, here.

 

Just because ...

Asian Emerald Cuckoo

Sunday's Smiles ... 

 

Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.

  

 

 

Day 4950: Artist Tim Okamura & Landowner, Ted Turner.

   

"Rose-colored glasses": junk collage, photo, digital

                                                                       

  

Want music?

    Click: Take 6, Overjoyed.

2GN2S

Powerful Women of Color  

by Artist Tim Okamura

“Rosie no. 1.” (2016), 29.5 × 44.19 inches

In his portraits of women, Brooklyn-based painter Tim Okamura explores the human relationship to identity. His powerful works largely feature a single black woman in an exceptionally strong pose, with some pieces including natural elements like butterflies and rodents and others using graffiti reminiscent of city landscapes. Originally from Canada, Okamura “investigates identity, the urban environment, and contemporary iconography through a unique method of painting—one that combines an essentially academic approach to the figure with collage, spray paint and mixed media.” In an interview with Nailed, the artist spoke about why he began spotlighting people who are often underrepresented in art, saying he wanted a way to learn about those different from him and to question his conceptions of his own identity.

“The Parlor,” (2019), Oil on canvas, 80 × 56 inches

With art—you come to realize—it’s not just about the work, it just doesn’t end there but, who made it. Sometimes it doesn’t always line up as the viewer imagined. That part of my work I didn’t intend to be conceptual, but it has challenged people’s ideas of who can represent who through art. People can quickly sense if artwork is from a place of authenticity or not—my messages are positive and so are my representations and this is a celebration of my community.

“Revelation No. 1” (2019), Oil and acrylic on wood, 42 × 30 inches

Several recent works by Okamura are currently on view in the group exhibition Still I Rise at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Artthrough May 25, 2020. Find the artist’s available portraits on Artsy, and follow him on Instagram.

“Artemis”

“Stay Warm Keep it Cool”

“Presence”

The Bison Baron: Ted Turner’s 2-Million-Acre Legacy

Ted Turner, the media visionary who founded CNN, has spent the last several decades redefining the role of a private landowner. With approximately 2 million acres under his control, Turner is one of the top five largest private landowners in the United States. His holdings span several states, including massive tracts in Montana, Nebraska, and New Mexico. Unlike traditional developers, Turner’s primary motivation for acquiring land has been a philosophy he calls "eco-capitalism"—the idea that land can be both economically self-sustaining and ecologically vibrant.

The crown jewel of Turner’s environmental legacy is his role in the restoration of the American bison. When he began his efforts, the species was still recovering from the brink of extinction. Today, Turner’s ranches host more than 45,000 bison, the largest private herd in the world. By replacing cattle with bison, he has helped restore the natural biodiversity of the Great Plains, as bison grazing patterns are essential for the health of native grasses and the species that depend on them. Much of his land is protected by conservation easements, ensuring that these vast wilderness areas remain undeveloped for future generations.

 

  

 

A 5+ minute video, Taking Flight,  here.

 

 

Just because ...

Saturday's Smiles ... 

   

Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.

  

 

 

Day 4949: Neglected Garden & Denmark's Wildflower Islands.

"and ...": junk collage.

                                                                       

  

Want music?

    Click: Minnie Riperton, Memory Lane.

2GN2S

"One species absolutely does not have the right 

to overrun the planet"    Maya Lin

I looked out into my little yard from my work-space today.

Pangs of guilt, as I haven't taken the care needed. I have a call in to Jesse who works miracles, and I am sure the plants love it when he takes over.

Things are overgrown and untended. Sprinklers no longer work, but I have mainly succulents and hardy plants. Some of the planters give me dirty looks?

Seems harder to juggle all my tasks, and the garden ball fell.

I remember a rogue 6" palm sprouting in the corner years ago.

A voice in my head said "pull that out or it will be huge."

I didn't and now it is.  I really hate to kill anything living.

So during my period of AWOL, it has overrun the area.

Now 9' tall, it seems determined to take over, 

maybe a bully or just an over achiever of the plant world?

It is so healthy and strong. Vibrant even.

Like these less aggressive palms, once 3' and ailing.

Rescued from a neighbor's trash, and now over 12' high.
But, tall and skinny, they threaten no one. 

The adjacent Sago palm, is hanging in, but besieged by 

pesty pine needles from the gigantic pine trees.

Looking straight up, 

the three story pine and neighboring trees just watch.

There is hope, Jesse is coming soon.

   

Some say cities aren't for wildlife. Denmark disagrees. They're putting wildflower islands in the harbor and letting nature move in.

Copenhagen has introduced floating wildflower islands in its harbor as part of an effort to bring nature back into urban waterways. The project, known as "Copenhagen Islands" or "Parkipelago," was developed by Australian artist and architect Marshall Blecher and the Danish studio Fokstrot. The platforms are built from recycled materials and planted with wildflowers, grasses, and small trees.

The islands serve as habitats for birds, bees, insects, and marine life in an area that was previously open water surrounded by concrete. They float freely in the harbor and are accessible to kayakers and swimmers. Some are used by locals for picnics, while others are left untouched to serve as wildlife sanctuaries.

The project has drawn international attention as an example of how cities can integrate biodiversity into existing infrastructure without taking up land. Several of the islands have already attracted nesting birds and pollinators, proving that even small interventions can create meaningful change in urban ecosystems.

 

  

 

A 6+ minute video, Ice Pepper, here.

 

Just because ...

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) has captured the internet's imagination due to its striking resemblance to the characters from the popular mobile game "Angry Birds". This tiny, long-tailed songbird, weighing less than a nickel, sports a distinctive "unibrow" look during the breeding season that gives it a comical, permanent scowl. While it may look frustrated, this appearance is actually a result of black plumage feathers above its eyes, which contrast sharply with its pale blue-gray body. These birds are incredibly active and acrobatic, often flitting through the high canopies of North American forests to snatch small insects mid-air. Their high-pitched, wheezy songs and constant motion make them a favorite for birdwatchers who enjoy tracking their lively, energetic behavior across the woodland landscape.

Beyond its viral appearance, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a master of architectural innovation in the avian world. They construct intricate, cup-shaped nests using spiderwebs and lichens, which allow the nest to actually stretch as the chicks grow larger. This elastic design ensures the structural integrity of the home remains intact against the elements. Despite their small size, these birds are fiercely territorial and will aggressively protect their nesting sites from much larger intruders. This bold personality, combined with their unique visual "attitude," serves as a wonderful example of how nature often packs a tremendous amount of character and resilience into its smallest packages, proving that a formidable presence doesn't always require a large stature.

Friday's Smiles ... 

 

Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.