drawing: ceolacanth

The Ceolacanth is a true river monster that existed 65 million years ago. Thought to be extinct, the fish was found in 1935 while someone was deep sea fishing near Madagascar.

Perhaps it shouldn’t be too much of a suprise to find this living fossil. After all, Madagascar is known for the strangest creatures on earth. It is like Mysterious Island, remote and far away from human contact.

I didn’t have access to a real ceolacanth to do this sketch, but I went to the next best place that has these specimens… at the Museum of Natural History (in New York City).

Have a nice Memorial Day weekend! Maybe you’ll have time to go to a museum near you.

illustration: bass and dragonfly

I caught (and released) my first largemouth bass of the year. So I am celebrating with this drawing of a fish “saying hello” to a dragonfly. Just like this bass, I jumped for joy.

illustration: tug boat

sketch: tugboat medium-sized

This is my tugboat drawn from memory. Tugboats are so peaceful, yet so powerful.

sketch: tugboat

During the day, I see a nice variety of tugboats from my office window. Each one with its own distinct character, color and shape. Some are grandiose, complete with watch towers and some are diminutive. But all of them have a common daily task – to push/pull massive barges on the East River. Observing these floating workhorses is a relaxing way to rest my eyes from staring at the computer all day. When I have a moment, I sketch this small tugboat which is taking a break and coasting down river.

Have a Happy 4th of July, everyone!

painting: rainbow trout

I took up fishing about 5 years ago. And I’m still not very good at it. I’ve only caught an average of 3 fish per season. I’d catch a Yellow Perch or a Stone Bass, and feel like an accomplished male, then release it. But the real reward in the sport is in those large, very smart, finicky fish several feet deep under the canoe – the Trout. So this year, I attended an event at the local sporting goods store promoting fly fishing. All of a sudden, my casual hobby has turned into a formula for rocket scientists. And very expensive. Over $250 for a fly fish rod? Anyway, I think the only way I can capture a trout is with my paintbrush. So, here is a watercolor of a Rainbow Trout.

illustration: cherry blossom turtle

Spring is almost here, and so soon the hibernating animals will emerge.  Sleepy-eyed critters, like aquatic turtles peak their heads from the lake, eager to find a floating log and worship the sun. My red-eared turtle models for this illustration, done in digital medium.

canoeing: upper delaware river

For the last mild weekend (72 degrees) of the year, canoeing on the Delaware River at Pond Eddy is the plan. Pond Eddy is a 2-hour drive from home. It was 3 years ago, when I began this blog. One of my earliest posts included a canoe trip from this same place, Indian Head Canoes at Pond Eddy, on the New York State side. Last time, we were the only ones on the 9-mile trip downriver. This time, there are more people – college kids on inflatable rafts, and a school of kayakers. It costs about $75 for two to rent a canoe. I have a fishing pole, and megaworms, and see some of the largest bass off the side of the canoe, but it is late in the afternoon and nightfall approaches quickly. Plus, the whitewater, although exciting for me, requires attention to navigate. Or else, it would be a hypothermic dip, if we were to capsize.

biking: paramus, nj

Dunkerhook Park contains the longest paved bike path, approx. 10 miles total, in Bergen County, NJ. It stretches from Saddle River to Ridgewood. As a bonus, there are some hidden dirt trails. Plus, you can go fishing along the stocked river and lakes. This is where I find myself, when I have a need to bike locally, or else I would have to go into New York City to ride on paved trails such as the Greenway. NYC can get busy on a nice day. It now cost $8 to cross the bridge or tunnel from NJ, plus parking in the city can be tricky.