6 Raptors and 1 Skunk...

Last weekend we ventured out into the cold for Community Day (free) at Zoo America in Hershey, PA. It was one of the best experiences we've had there. They had a lot of animals out on display, especially the raptors which are my favorite there.

Here's an Eastern Screech Owl keeping an eye on me!


Red Tail Hawk has his feathers puffed up to keep him warm.


Wish I could have gotten a better pic of the Snowy Owl.


This little owl came in with an injured eye. Now she can't be released back into the wild.


Love the barn owls!


Isn't this Cooper's Hawk a beauty? I was so lucky to get that close!


At the zoo they're teaching their skunk to "paint" with target training. You can buy her "art" in the gift shop. This was Zoe's favorite part.

Hunkering down for a big winter storm today. One good thing about it is that I will have lots of time to paint and create! My Franny the Snow Witch has been marked down, if you're interested scroll down a few posts and read her story.

It's a scorcher!

Nearly 90 degrees here today, felt like 100 to me. This isn't right, it's only April!
I worked a bunch on my new perennial garden. I got half of it tilled and planted. My body is rejecting all the hard work! Too nice to stay inside and paint but too hot to do much else. We went to Lancaster Central Park again today. I wanted to cool off in the river. Lots of gorgeous violets and other woodland wildflowers.



Also saw a very thin striped snake which I've never seen before. Wish I would have gotten a photo. Did manage to snap a few pictures of a red tailed hawk taking a drink from the Conestoga River and then later up in a tree.