#2097 "Mallorytown Landing Willow Roots"

From May 9th, 2018.

I needed to get out of the sun and paint where some of the other artists had located in the shade of the huge willow trees that dominated Mallorytown Landing. This particular willow was actually leaning upwind toward the southwest. It had survived the wind storm of May 4th, 2018 that brought 120 km/h winds to parts of southern Ontario. Another willow just to the northwest had been leaning toward the northeast and those winds pushed it right over. A crew of men spent all day cleaning up just the one tree.

The bark of these ancient willows was thick and twisted. It was fun to try to capture the character of this tree on a very smooth and very slippery surface. The artists had pretty much retired for the day by the time I was done this painting. I was all alone. Painting can be strenuous work when you are out in the elements.

There was covered shelter for nesting barn swallows and they were using it as well. It was great to see. The numbers of swallows and all insect eating birds have plummeted due to pesticides and genetically modified crops. Barn swallows used to be common just a few years ago but now they are very rare indeed.

The black flies and midges were out but nothing was biting. It was a beautiful day and thank you to the Thousand Islands Fine Art Association for believing the forecast and moving the planned outing one day ahead in order to avoid the cold front, rain and winds of Thursday. That forecast verified very well.