Owls & Winter Branches

"Snowy Owl in Flight" VClaff 2013

The days slowly brighten, but windy, bitter nights have taken hold. When the 

wind slows, a profound quiet settles in the forest. Occasional creaks and cracks 

echo in the frozen world, and in the night, the owls call deep in the forest or 

just outside my window. 

"Midwinter Owl" VClaff 2013

The barred owl that I thought had gone beyond the veils has come again to her 

perch in the clearing. I wonder if she feels the owl energy in the studio. I caught a 

glimpse of her tawny wings flashing by in the late afternoon one day, and I hear 

the crows chasing her off in the early mornings while I am still warm in bed. 

 "Great Gray Owl" VClaff 2013

In the studio, I've been filling the walls with owl drawings, and the ones in this 

post are now listed in my Etsy shop. 

I just today started experimenting with better papers, and this led to some 

drawings I've been thinking about that explore layering and the rhythm of  

winter branches. These drawings are on rigid illustration board, and so far I 

am very much enjoying the surface. 

new drawings 2013

 Winter Branches series VClaff 2013

"Winter Branches"  VClaff 2013

"Winter Branches 2"  VClaff 2013

On warmer days, Pasha keeps guard at the studio door, hoping I'll come out for 

a walk in the afternoon. 

One warm and sunny day, the forest - and a walk with Pasha - was irresistable. 

Looking first at plant stalks still standing in the garden, I was struck by how 

fragile these plants appear, yet snows and howling winds have yet to loose many 

a seed from its stalk. 

Although the snow was deep, it was packed down enough that I didn't need  

snowshoes, which is always nice. Pasha makes use of my tracks and I notice 

fox tracks used by raccoons, and coyote tracks used by a bobcat. Its surely 

easier to have someone else break trail, even if it is something that might 

eat you. 

 Fox track used only by a fox. 

Beneath the snow, the ancient world of mosses and ferns seems still very much 
alive. I bent low and admired this delicate fern on her mossy stone, drinking in 
the vibrant greens. 

Here is a short clip of Pasha on our walk. His enthusiasm is always a joy, and I was 

glad to finally catch him doing his dash up a tree. At the end of the video, we 

come to the spot with the coyote and fox tracks. You might notice them. The last 

film is of one of my favorite sounds, especially in the morning when everything else 

is still and the sun is just rising.