Blog

I had a great time taking photos of this moon. Being present at night time, the skies are black except for the lunar moon which is full in breadth and appearance. There is a beige tinge to the revolving rock around the Earth.

Did you know that the Farmer’s Almanac has different names for the moon depending upon which month occurs? They are as follows;
January: "Wolf Moon" also "Old Moon"
February: "Snow Moon", also "Hunger Moon"
March: "Worm Moon", "Crow Moon", "Sap Moon", "Lenten Moon"
April: "Seed Moon", "Pink Moon", "Sprouting Grass Moon", "Egg Moon" "Fish Moon"
May: "Milk Moon", "Flower Moon", "Corn Planting Moon"
June: "Mead Moon", "Strawberry Moon,” ""Rose Moon", "Thunder Moon"
July: "Hay Moon", "Buck Moon", "Thunder Moon"
August: "Corn Moon", "Sturgeon Moon", "Red Moon", "Green Corn Moon", "Grain Moon"
September: "Harvest Moon", "Full Corn Moon",
October: "Hunter’s Moon", "Blood Moon"/"Sanguine Moon"
November: "Beaver Moon", "Frosty Moon"
December: "Oak Moon", "Cold Moon", "Long Nights Moon"

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary


http://fineartamerica.com/featured/lunar-mood-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Hawaiian Sunset -


This is a photo I took in Waikiki, Hawaii while on a sunset cruise. Hawaii is interesting because the highs and lows in temperature for the day and night are very similar within a few degrees each day most of the year. It was really a “Groundhog Day” out there. Plus, I don’t think I have seen a quicker sunset in my life. It was there one minute and shortly afterwards, it was down. I chose this image today because of the cold weather we have been having so I can always dream and remember.

Please note a couple of sailboats on the horizon in the center image and the plane just over the land on the right hand side of the photo.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/hawaiian-sunset-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

ET Face in Tree

I like to look at things and possibly see things that might be special. This is a photo of a tree with moss on it. The part that is interesting to me is that there seems to be a face, an ET face, protruding from the tree. I see the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth and throat. Can you see it?

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/et-face-in-tree-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Wheels, Gears and Cogs

Here is a rusted out piece of machinery consisting of Wheels, Gears and Cogs. I am not sure exactly what this type of machinery is but the intricacies of the wheels, gears and cogs and how they are working together is amazing. I find this image fascinating even if the machinery is rusted out and does not work anymore.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/wheels-gears-and-cogs-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Alcatraz Island -

I took this photo of this famous island from a ferry boat ride that was going by the sight. The island is known as “The Rock” and was home to a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison and a federal prison. Native Americans call it an “evil island” and believe it to be cursed. A number of movies have been made on the Island. Tours are available to it. You can see a huge barge on the right of the photo and in front of the bridge.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/alcatraz-island-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Toppled Wire Fence

I really don’t have much to say about this photo other than I like the simplicity of it. The strain of use over time has made this wire fence topple over at the post’s base. I always find it interesting how you get not only white snow but blue hues when you photograph the shadows on snow.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/toppled-wire-fence-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Butterflies, Flowers And A Bee

As it is snowing and a bit cold out, I thought I would cheer some people up with a spring photo of orange and black butterflies, beautiful yellow flowers which I think is the Canola crop and a bee. There were a lot of butterflies in this one patch of field. How many butterflies do you see?

This is interesting information about Canola written in Wikipedia. “Canola was bred naturally from rapeseed at the University of Manitoba, Canada by Keith Downey and Baldur R. Stefansson in the early 1970s, and had a different nutritional profile in addition to much less erucic acid.”

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/butterflies-flowers-and-a-bee-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Baby Merganser

I had a hard time capturing this photo and some others similar to it because ducks are mobile, constantly moving by swimming, ducking into the water and/or flying. This is a baby merganser just developing its changing colours and feathers. This is one of many species of birds that live near Lake Winnipeg which is the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world. The mergansers are fish-eating ducks.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/baby-merganser-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

I took this photo because I like the broken down shed in the back. It may have been a barn but it is not traditional looking as the big, red old barns do. The attention of the photo starts with the fence and then takes you to the old shed. Even the wheat grabs your attention along with the fence. There are so many wonderful old buildings that are still standing and it makes you question what life was like when the farm was a family home with the vibrant pursuit of being a farmer.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/broken-down-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Water Scene

This is a photo of a simple little water scene. The yellow and black fish swim along the pink and purple coral. Sorry, I am not even sure what the names are of all the parts of this water scene. To me, it is just beautiful being nameless and not properly identified. I even like the angle the fish swims at as it seems to curve its own body. Any help identifying what it what?

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/water-scene-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Blue Flames Of Healing

This represents the “Blue Flame of Healing” that many spiritual healers use to heal people like the phenom, Canadian-born, Adam, the Dream Healer. To some, this blue flame of healing is known as the blue ray of light which is the first ray of light and is associated with Archangel Michael. According to Free Choice granted by God, when faced with any difficulties in life, neither Angel nor Archangel will help you unless you ask for help. So, this acrylic painting is the first of two phases representing the blue flame of healing. The second represents the flame in action and transforming.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/blue-flames-of-healing-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

I took this photo as a comparison between a huge ocean liner carrier and the minimum height of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is so high up that it seems like you could put to ocean liner ships one on top of the other. You can also see some of the roughness of the water in the bay and you can imagine how much rougher it would be in the Pacific Ocean. I also learned that Joseph Strauss was the main engineer and actually had to face opposition to the project in the first place. Strauss had already designed and constructed over 400 drawbridges, mainly inland.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/golden-gate-bridge-3-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

This photo shows most of the expanse of the Golden Gate Bridge. What is interesting to note is that the construction on the bridge started in 1933 and that it was finished ahead of schedule and under budget. This should serve as a signal to today’s society where projects normally go over budget and are not finished on the speculated or planned time. That is my political comment for the modern world. This bridge is one of the most photographer bridges in the world and is considered one of the most beautiful.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/golden-gate-bridge-2-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

This photo is a different view of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. The towers are visible but not the entire bridge. Apparently, there is usually a lot of fog covering the bridge and it remains visible for very few days of the year. We were lucky as the fog was lifting. At one point in time, until 1964, it was the longest suspension bridge spanning San Francisco to Marin County at 4200 feet (1280 meters). It was voted one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz


http://fineartamerica.com/featured/golden-gate-bridge-1-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

This is a shot of Waikiki Beach in Oahu, Hawaii. Over the ocean there are storm clouds in the sky and from the bottom, you can see how the rain has started on the ocean. It was very difficult to get any photos as these beaches are almost always full of people swimming and riding the surf. For once, I was able to capture it relatively quiet of people and in the pristine beauty of nature itself. I have always enjoyed seeing rain from a distance. On the prairies you can see the rain storm coming from far away.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/rainfall-on-ocean-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

This photographic shot was taken in the evening while we enjoyed a Luau on Oahu, Hawaii. The moon is almost hidden by the palm trees even though it is fully in the sky. Who doesn’t like a full moon? There is something spectacular in seeing the whole moon light up the night sky. One of the most amazing things for me is the way the lunar appearance affects entire oceans with ensuring the pull and withdrawal of the waters surf.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz


http://fineartamerica.com/featured/moon-through-palm-trees-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Solo Bald Eagle

This is one of the best photos I have of a solo Bald Eagle. The background was just perfect. I also like the way the plumage is gently flying in the air. Its beak is perfect for what he needs to do. The eye is piercing. Love this photo and the detail.

Did you know that both sexes of bald eagles have the same colouring for plumage? The difference is that the female is actually a bit larger. Eagles have excellent eyesight. “They have two foveae or centers of focus, that allow the birds to see both forward and to the side at the same time.”

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz


http://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-solo-bald-eagle-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Oak And Birch

I took this photo a couple of years ago. I like it because I really appreciate trees. I enjoy looking at how they grown amongst each other. The Oak tree is a dark bark whereas the birch tree is white with sections of striped black. As we know trees are important for keeping erosion at bay. Plus, we also know that carbon dioxide is absorbed by the tree and produce oxygen for our benefit to breathe and the world too. I like the angle that these trees have taken in an effort to continue to grow. This photo was taken at Assiniboine Forest in Winnipeg.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/oak-and-birch-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Golden Eagle Head

I took this photo of the Golden Eagle near Lake Winnipeg. I also saw and took photos of Bald Eagles. Their range of living is 200 km2 (77 sq mi) based on what Wikipedia says. This is quite a big territory but not if you are a flying eagle that soars across the skies with ease. They have a partial migration. If they are further north, they usually migrate when living at a latitude of 60 degrees north and shorter migrations if they are at the 50 degree latitude. If you take the location of Gimli, Manitoba they are at 50.6667° N, 97.0500° W. And if you are at Winnipeg, Manitoba the near center of Canada it is 49.8994° N, 97.1392° W. These beautiful yet hardy birds will only do a partial migration during the cold months of winter

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

“Many years ago, choices for paints, sealers and other building materials did not exist. Farmers had to be resourceful in finding or making a paint that would protect and seal the wood on their barns. Hundreds of years ago, many farmers would seal their barns with linseed oil, which is an orange-colored oil derived from the seeds of the flax plant. To this oil, they would add a variety of things, most often milk and lime, but also ferrous oxide, or rust. Rust was plentiful on farms and because it killed fungi and mosses that might grow on barns, was very effective as a sealant. It turned the mixture red in color.
When paint became more available, many people chose red paint for their barns in honor of tradition.” This information was provided by the Farmer’s Almanac.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

Broken Rims

This is a black and white photo of old broken rims. They may even be off of the famous Red River Carts. Red River Carts or charettes in French, were used during the fur trade in the Red River area. One of the first carts was used in Pembina, North Dakota and expanded from there. They were mainly pulled by oxen but also horses and mules. The cart was so buoyant that it could float over streams yet strong enough to carry 1000 pounds. One reason that the famous roads Portage Avenue and Main Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba are so large is because these Red River Carts were wide and so the streets today are wide and open compared to most other downtown areas around the world.


Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/broken-rims-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Moon Craters

This is a photo of the moon that I took still early in the morning while the sun was up on the other side. The moon is shown here in most of its glory with moon craters and the Seas of Serenity and Tranquility. These seas are also called Mares and include such great names as Sea of Vapors, Waves, Storm and Crisis.

The moon is the only natural satellite of Earth. It is the 5th largest moon in our solar system. The moon is in synchronous rotation to the Earth which means that the same face of the moon faces Earth because of the trajectory and orientation of the rotation relative to the Earth. I think this is fascinating.


Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/moon-craters-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

This is a photo of the famous Catholic Church called Saints Paul and Peter Church in the North Beach area of San Francisco. You get the spires as a quick image as I passed along one of the famous bus tours around the city. I love the trolley lines finding them interesting how they intersect and work.

I remember being younger and enjoying the electrical buses that use to run up and down Corydon Avenue in Winnipeg. They often lost their footing on the cable as they came around the bend and so I would enjoy sitting there watching them putting the cable back on the line. I miss those electrical buses and meanwhile they were good for the environment but we replaced them in the name of technological advancement.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/twin-spires-and-trolley-lines-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Embracing

This is a photo of the famous Sea Lions at Pier 39 in San Francisco. I found the sea lions amusing to watch. I always wonder what animals whom we are observing are thinking of us the observers. They frolicked in the water, relaxed in the sun and occasionally dipped in the water for a quick swim. Sometimes there was pompous gesturing. Hmm. This kind of all reminds me of people…

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/embracing-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

This drawing is simply to show you after all the abstracts that I do, that I can do a traditional rendering or drawing of an animal. I realize that some of you who have seen my work but do not understand “abstract” art wonder if I can “really” draw. In this case, this is a giraffe with a little bird on its back that I quickly sketched up.

I remember a time when my high school art teacher was promoting me doing abstract art and I remember fighting it “tooth and nail” thinking that the person really could not draw. I just did not understand at the time and I was not into experimenting back then or even symbolism as much.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/giraffe-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

More Art Symbolism Explained - Sprouting Seed 2

This abstract painting is a continuation of the Sprouting Seed and like the first soul emerging; this is the second soul emerging from the first one. If you look at the first picture and the second picture, you will see that they connect and the first painting “feeds” into the second one and like the “bone” from Adam's rib, this represents this connection with the creation of Eve from the Bible. She is whole and complete because she has her own seed that she has come from but has been aided with the help of Adam.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sprouting-seed-2-mary-mikawoz.html

Art Symbolism Explained - Sprouting Seed 1

This abstract painting shows a “Sprouting Seed” but what it does, for me, is symbolize the birth or creation of the very first soul which is Adam as in the Bible. He is sprouting as if from a cocoon and as you can see he has wings like a butterfly that he is shedding as he arises from the bud or chrysalis form. He is ascending and with him comes something like an umbilical cord which represents his Higher Self or Spirit which, like in the painting, is always with Adam.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sprouting-seed-1-mary-mikawoz.html

I think one of the coolest things about Sausalito, California is that it is only 13 feet above sea level. Can’t do much better than that. The population of this quaint little city with colourful buildings is only about 7000 people and is located at the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge. I found the restaurants in the area to be spectacular with great seafood, of course.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz


http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sausalito-shoreline-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

This was during an end of winter/beginning of spring drive. Beside this frozen shafts of wheat were spots of spring starting with green grass popping up. I like the curvature of the wheat as it wisps and twirls with the wind’s direction. I like the quiet beauty of the wheat that just won’t quit despite it being out of season. I also like the way parts of the snow look blue in the shadows.


Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/frozen-wheat-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

I was driving by in the late winter/early spring time when I saw this farm with a lone saddle hanging out on the fence. I thought it was neat of the horse rider to have done this but even more so when I realized he/she had nailed their cowboy/cowgirl boots to posts as well.

Yes, I know I am posting it at the wrong time of the season; however, doesn’t it make you appreciate the hot summer weather we are having?

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary Mikawoz

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/lone-saddle-and-boots-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

I took this photo of the inside of a Californian Redwood tree and I found it remarkable to see the profile of a face. It is a strong side view of a face with a forehead, an eye, nose and chin going down into a neck. Can you see the image in the wood?

It is gnarled and old yet somehow very strong as a male figure. I enjoy the browns, greens and other hues found in the wood. As well, I think the moss near the bottom of the face is an incredible green neon shade which is amazing to me because it naturally occurs in nature.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/profile-face-in-tree-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

It has been awhile since I have loaded up some photos and I must say that it feels as if a part of my soul has been missing out.

Here is an image of green moss found on the famous redwood trees of Muir Woods near San Francisco. These trees are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Centre on the Pacific Coast. According to Wikipedia, “Before the logging industry came to California, there were an estimated 2 million acres (8,000 km2) of old growth forest containing redwoods growing in a narrow strip along the coast.” Many of the trees have disappeared except for a small section of these redwood trees that were set aside by William and Elizabeth Kent.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/green-moss-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Pacific Jellyfish

This is a photo of Pacific Sea Nettle Jellyfish. They have been roaming the seas for anywhere from 500 to 700 million years. They move elegantly with their gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell bodies and flowing tentacles. They dance as if to music and I was quite mesmerized by them. They range in size from 1 millimeter to 2 meters in size for their bodies. Their nerve net system is in their epidermis. Some jellyfish are light-sensitive through something called ocelli while some jellyfish have up to 24 eyes, 2 of which can see colour. As you can see, there is quite a range. They also have a life-cycle going from polyps to the medusa stage.

Thank you for liking, commenting and/or sharing. Mary

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/pacfic-jellyfish-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Two Saplings


I took this photograph, believe it or not, was taken on December 15, 2011 north of Winnipg and north of Riverton on Lake Winnipeg. Winnipeggers and Manitobans will note the lack of winter. That winter not only did the snow come late but it left early unlike this year. This has been one of the longest “winters” record in Winnipeg’s history. Even today, on May 10, 2013, it feels very cold and almost like snow weather. In fact, the projected low overnight is 0˚ Celsius or 32 ˚ Fahrenheit.

These are my favourite two saplings up at our cottage. I love looking at them as they change with each season from no leaves and snow to buds, to full leaves and then gently losing them to the wind and gravitational pull of the Earth. Seasons come and seasons go as time ticks on.


http://fineartamerica.com/featured/two-saplings-mary-mikawoz.html

This is an image of a pelican flying near a dock on Lake Winnipeg. I like the way he or she delicately takes off from the rocks to fly and seems to be saying “Look Ma, I can fly!” The other pelican is oblivious and looks like he or she is saying, “Boy, I don’t care. Stop showing off my brother/sister (pick one). We can all do that! Who really cares! I am going to ignore you.”

Their large beak and large throat pouch is used for catching fish and not carrying babies as fairy tales would have us believe. Too bad! They range in many areas and fossil evidence show that they date back to 30 million years ago. They are gregarious birds who hunt cooperatively and breed colonially. Pelicans are found on inland lakes and costal waters.

According to Wikipedia, "They have suffered from habitat destruction, disturbance and environmental pollution, and three species are of conservation concern. They also have a long history of cultural significance in mythology, and in Christian and heraldic iconography."

Please click here to view: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/look-ma-i-can-fly-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

The Citadelle Cross


According to Wikipedia, “The Citadelle is a military installation and official residence located atop Cap Diamant, adjoining the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. This citadel is part of the fortifications of Quebec City.

The Citadelle is a National Historic Site of Canada and also forms part of the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site of Canada. The fortress is located within the "Historic District of Old Québec", which was designated a World Heritage Site in 1985.”

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-citadelle-cross-mary-mikawoz.html?newartwork=true

Come visit my "Creative Pursuits Blog" which features various artistic and creative pursuits from writing poetry. writing articles, information behind my art and photographic work.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit.

Mary Mikawoz