Spring has sprung -

"Colly Bird"
digital collage by Mick Mather
- click image to view full size -

"... four calling birds ..."
- Traditional Lyric

Illustration Friday: Cultivate -

"Cultivating His Home Territory"
manipulated digital photograph by Mick Mather
- click image to view full size -

"... enemy occupied territory is what the world is ..."
- C. S. Lewis

A proclamation of spring -

"It's Coming"
digital collage by Mick Mather
- click image to view full size -

"... awake, thou wintry earth,
fling off thy sadness!
fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
your ancient gladness ..."
- Thomas Blackburn

Bleak horizon -

"A Storm at Sea Makes Landfall"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

"... here's to the pilot that weathered the storm ..."
- George Canning

Bird brain -

"Contemplating Improved Construction for Next Year's Nest"
digital collage by Mick Mather

"...the lark that shuns on lofty boughs
to build, her humble nest,
lies silent in the field ..."
- Edmund Waller

Illustration Friday: Sneaky -

"Sneaky"
digital collage by Mick Mather

"... people say that cats are
sneaky, evil and cruel;
true, and they may have
many other fine qualities as well..."
- unknown

Flew the coop -

"Summer's Abandoned Nest"
digitally manipulated fractal flame by Mick Mather

"... there are no birds in last years nest ..."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Illustration Friday: Atmosphere -

"Atmosphere"
digital collage by Mick Mather
- click image to view full size -

"... it is only the surrounding atmosphere
which gives subjects their true value ..."
- Claude Monet

Illustration Friday: Caged -

"Birdcage XXII"
digital drawing & collage by Mick Mather

"... we think caged birds sing, when indeed they cry ..."
- John Webster

Why did the chicken cross the road?

"Perched"
digitally manipulated photomontage

"... be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings ..."
- Victor Hugo

... of a feather -

"Birding"
digital collage by Mick Mather

"... those little nimble musicians of the air,
that warble forth their curious ditties,
with which nature hath furnished them
to the shame of art ..."
- Izaak Walton

NEW from The Birdhouse Series -

"Birdhouse XVII"
digitally manipulated fractal flame collage by Mick Mather

I haven't posted much from this series in a while. While working on one of the new pieces to be included in the upcoming Disintegration Collaboration Project reveal on August 1st, it occurred to me that I ought to put this one up. In addition, I dedicate this one to Lisa Sarsfield.

At the eleventh hour, I've decide to add this to Thursday Challenge, theme this week is earth, even though it's not a photograph.

NEW from Janus Park Walk -

"Claim Jumper"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Here's one I've been holding on to for quite a while and, as a body of work, the documentation of this walk is always interesting for me. The title supposes a bit of a turf war between nesting females that was fun to watch at the time. I don't know how successful she was this season but I'm fairly certain the new crop has already taken wing ... and the beat goes on.

NEW from The Birdhouse Series -

"Birdhouse VIII"
manipulated digital drawing by Mick Mather

As I mentioned yesterday, this is a hit and run post. I have a late meeting and a date for a few cocktails so, before dashing off to accomplish both of those important tasks, allow me to say, "hello, I must be going!"

NEW from The Birdhouse Series -

"Birdhouse VI"
manipulated digital drawing by Mick Mather

I'm in the home stretch with the work slated to go on exhibition at The Weiskotten Gallery for the month of July. I'd like to get at least two more images produced for this series but feel that I'm pushing it. Since I need to assemble the disk that goes to the printer by tomorrow, I'm uncertain that said pieces will be forthcoming. One never knows and I do have the last completed birdhouse slated to go up tomorrow. I have a late meeting and might just as well warn you now that it will be a hit and run post. As I keep saying, can't stop to chat longer, back to work!

Tweeter -

"Singing From A Nearby Tree"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Not a lot to say about this piece except that it's taken me close to 2 months to find the singing bird. If I had a bit more stamina there could've been a Persian Cat to go 'round her neck or a birdhouse so it could fit into that series. Anyway, much to do, we'll chat later.

Thursday Challenge: Small -

"Little Wing"
$50 Unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

This week's Thursday Challenge theme is small. After looking through my photo files, this little sparrow seemed to fit the bill - no pun intended. As I worked on the creating the manipulated layers that comprise the whole, a particular piece of music that was on my mind and I named the piece after the Jimi Hendrix song. If you want to hear my favorite version of this to date, check out the live, acoustic version by Monte Montgomery.