Green Frog

While out at the pond the other day, I came across an unusual Green Frog. It caught my attention because of its' vivid blue coloring; something I have not come across before. Borrowing Michaela's little net, I captured the frog for closer inspection, and then set out to find the answer to my question: why was this green frog, blue?

Frogs have a complex arrangement of cells which provide them the ability to adjust their hue to their surroundings and blend in with their environment. Within their skin are three types of pigment cells (chromatophores) stacked on top of each other. The bottom layer are melanophores, which contain the dark pigment melanin. The middle layer consists of iridophores, which are packed with highly reflective bundles of purine crystals. On top are the xanthophores, which are usually packed with yellowish pteridine pigments.

Each type of cell can change shape, and control the intensity and character of transmitted or reflected light by moving the pigment within them. A wide range of colors can be produced by manipulating all three types of pigment cells, though normally their coloration ranges from bright green to various shades of brown and grey.

Light penetrates to the iridophores, which reflect mostly blue light back into the xanthophores above them. The xanthophores act as yellow filters, causing the light escaping the skin surface to appear green to us. This particular frog lacks the yellow xanthophore cells, which (ahh) causes it to appear blue. Science broken down into a simple color mixing fomula: an artistic anomoly in the pond - but a beautiful one indeed.

Photography Exhibit

"Walk These Woods"

Solace Place, A Ten Year Retrospective

An exhibit featuring fifty photographic works

July 1 - September 10, 2010

Bank of Castile Main Gallery at GoArt!
Seymour Place
201 East Main Street
Batavia, New York 14020

Gallery hours are
Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm
and by appointment

Opening Reception
Saturday, July 17, 2010 1-3pm
All are welcome to attend

Spring @ Solace Place

Everywhere around us there are signs of Spring. Nature is bursting to life once more. On my daily walks with the dogs, one of our favorite things to do is explore the back woods. While they hunt for little critters to chase, you can find me exploring for wildflowers. Here are a few pics from one of our recent outings:

Featured Art

"Mute Swan with Cygnets"

Our featured art for the month is an image of a female, or "pen", mute swan with her three cygnets. These are the grey, or "royal" form - hence their grey down. As they mature, they will grow grey-brown and white feathers, giving them a mottled appearance instead of the all white form of the "polish" cygnets.

Although mute swans are native to Eurasia, they have established breeding populations in North America after escaping parks and estates where they were originally introduced. Due to their territorial, aggressive behavior, there is concern regarding their impact on native waterfowl. Some areas are seeking to control the number of mute swans, while in other areas they are protected.

Despite the controversy over their status, I enjoy their graceful, regal nature. This pen and cob pair reside at a large pond where Michaela and I like to go and have breakfast on our errand days. A large number of Mallards and Canadian Geese also frequent the pond. Originally, the pair had four cygnets; on the following visit they were down to two. Mute swans, like most birds, are attentive, protective parents. Although the pen is tolerating my presence here, the cob did not hesitate to fend off a couple who brought their little dog too close to where the cygnets were wading.

Open edition. Unstretched canvas print, Premier Gloss finish. Image size 24" x 16", $225.00. To purchase, click here.

Museum and Gallery Wrap also available.

Additional sizes, papers and frame options on request.

Featured Art

"Frost on Pine"

Situated between our house and the barn, a single pine - the only one on our property - glistens in the morning light, its needles outlined in crisp white from a hard frost overnight.

This tree is affectionately known as "Faith's Tree"; it was her favorite spot to lay and watch the world go by, or snooze comfortably in the hole she had made for herself between its roots. I still expect to see her there every time I pass by, bouncing expectedly when I have finished my chores and it is time to go in. The pine has stood stolid since summer, a silent reminder of my friend now gone. Its branches heavily laden with snow from last weeks storm, the pine lies broken - the weight of the snow a burden it could no longer bear - demonstrating the fragility of nature, and the impact both its beauty and its devastation leaves on us.

Our featured art for the month is an image celebrating natures beauty, and the lasting impression created when we stop for a moment and look closely, seeing the familiar in an unfamiliar way. My view has definately been altered this week.

Open edition. Unstretched canvas print, premier gloss finish. Image size 10.6" x 16", $125.00. To purchase, click here. Museum and Gallery Wrap also available.

Framed Fuji Crystal Archive print, finished size 11" x 17" (7" x 10" image) , $235.00. To purchase, click here.

**Studio Sample also available: framed Fuji Crystal Archive print, finished size 10 3/4" x 12 7/8" (5" x 7" image) , $145.00, includes $20.00 shipping/handling fee ($200.00 retail) To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes and papers on request.

Featured Art

Although taken last Spring after a late snow storm caught many returning migrating birds off guard, I was prompted to use this image for January after sighting a robin who has appearently, this year, never left. We've only had a few days of milder weather recently, and there he's been - teasing me as if Spring were right around the corner. Wishful thinking. On both our parts.

Open edition. Unstretched canvas print, Premier Gloss finish. Image size: 16 x 10.6", $125.00. To purchase, click here. Museum and Gallery Wrap also available.

Additional sizes, papers and frame options on request.

Featured Art

Untitled, Winter Scene

An early morning snow magically transforms the woods behind the house.

Open edition. Unstretched canvas print, Premier Gloss finish. Image size 16 x 10.6", $125.00. To purchase, click here. Museum and Gallery Wrap also available.

Framed Fuji Crystal Archive print, finished size 16 x 13" (10 x 7" image), $335.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes and papers on request.

Featured Art

"Back Fourty"

A solitary hickory tree graces the back corner of the south field, standing silhouetted against the upper woods and hedgerow as the setting sun washes them in a golden glow, fading the brilliant blue of the afternoon sky to soft hues of evening blush.

Open edition. Unstretched canvas print, Premier Gloss finish. Image size: 16 x 10.6", $125.00. To purchase, click here. Museum and Gallery Wrap also available.

Framed Fuji Crystal Archive print, finished size: 21 x 17" (14 x 10" image), $270.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes and papers available.

Monarda - Jacob Cline

"Monarda - Jacob Cline"

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Image size 10 x 7", $35.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.

Mallard Hen with Ducklings

"Mallard Hen with Ducklings"

Like most areas around here near the water, an abundance of Mallard ducks can be found, especially if they can get a handout from a kindly human - though like most of us, they shouldn't be eating those kind of "treats".

I look forward to them visiting when we are at the boat, as I am quite fond of them. I have a flock of twenty some odd domestic ducks to prove it. They are such cheerful, animated little creatures.

The other day after Michael and I had been out on the sea-doo (my water pony), a group of hens came up to me as I waited for Michael to go get the trailer. One was so friendly she climbed right onto the back of the sea-doo.

The hen pictured above visits our dock regularly with the remaining members of her brood. They are just darling, and just about full grown. They like to follow me around while I'm swimming. Hoping for one of those handouts, I'm sure.

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Image size, 10 x 7", $35.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.

Reflect

"Reflect"

Trees and clouds reflected on the surface of our pond at sunset. A beautifully serene and calming scene.

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper, matted and framed. Finished size:16 1/2 x 13 3/4" (10 x 7" image), $235.00. To purchase, click here.

Print only, size 9 x 6", $35.00. To purchase, click here.

Echinacea - Tiki Torch

"Echinacea - Tiki Torch"

The brilliant orange blossoms of this beautiful coneflower lend a vibrant glow to the late summer garden.

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Image size: 12 x 9", $42.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.

Toad

"Toad"

One of my favorite little critters are toads. This year I am fortunate to have plenty of them living in my various flower gardens. One in particular gets a little irritated when I water my rudbeckia, as he sleeps in the dirt there, and does not appreciate his daily shower. This guy was found on a walk along one of the trails at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Image size: 10 x 7", $35.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.

Featured Art

"Days End at the Point"

The sun begins to sink beyond the horizon, leaving the sky washed in brilliant, fleeting color.

This image was taken as we came back into port, the sun setting beyond the pier, bringing an end to a fun filled day out on the lake. As summer winds down, days such as this become numbered and precious, as fleeting as the golden hues the sun has left in the sky.

Open edition Unstretched Canvas Print, Premier Gloss Finish. Image: 16 x 10.6". Museum and Gallery Wrap also available. $125.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers and frame options available.

Tree Frog

"Tree Frog"

This irresistable little character strikes a pose as he climbs a set of dried flower stalks.

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper, matted and framed. Finished size: 14 1/8 x 16 3/8" (image 8 x 10"), $240.00. To purchase, click here.

Print only, image size: 9 x 12", $42.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers and canvas prints available.

Echinacea - White Swan

"Echinacea - White Swan"

A pair of white swan echinaceas beginning to open are beautiful examples of symmetry in nature and its' unique ability of creating perfection by design.

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper, matted and framed. Finished size: 15 1/2 x 12 3/4" (9 x 6" image), $200.00. To purchase, click here.

Print only, size 12 x 9", $42.00.To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers and canvas prints available.

Question Mark Butterfly

"Question Mark Butterfly"

A first generation question mark butterfly rests, wings spread, among the sunflower blossoms.

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper, double matted. Image size: 10 x 7", $35.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.

Hummingbird

"Hummingbird"

A female ruby-throated hummingbird sips nectar from a jacob cline monarda.

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Image size 12 x 9", $42.00. To purchase click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.

Echinacea - Green Envy

"Echinacea - Green Envy"

Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Image size 12 x 9", $42.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.

Monarch on Asclepias

"Monarch on Asclepias"

A newly emerged Monarch butterfly rests among the brilliant orange flowers of asclepias tuberosa.

Open edition, printed on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Image size: 12 x 9", $42.00. To purchase, click here.

Additional sizes, papers, frame options and canvas prints available.