TURKEY VULTURES AND A NATIVE AMERICAN PAINTING

"FREE STUFF" BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD --  NATIVE AMERICAN OIL PAINTING

Some days just seems different from most. Yesterday was one of those days. 

I walk my dog Daisy at a very large open field across from where I live. Yesterday I was there sitting on a wooden bench enjoying the sun and mild breeze. No other folks were in the area. Perfect day I thought. 

Then a large shadow loomed over my head -- I quickly looked up to see what it was. Oh -- it was a large turkey vulture riding thermal air waves over my head. He (or she) was marvelous to watch. We became a trio -- dog, woman, and turkey vulture enjoying the sun and accompanying breezes. Then after about 15 minutes other vultures began to soar out from the woods behind the field. They were catching the wind and soaring as a pack. Like dancers they twisted and turned in the air just above the field. Such beautiful entertainment. After a short period folks began to enter the field area with their dogs -- the vulture show came to a stop and disappeared back into the woods. I gave them a soft clap as they left their "stage."

My next stop after I left the field was an unexpected one. About a quarter of a mile down the road I spotted some old furniture and a few odds and ends by the side of the road. A make shift cardboard sign held the word FREE! As I came closer to the stuff I noticed something that I thought I might like. Parking my truck I walked over to the item. Yep, it was a lovely older oil of a native American in a very fine frame. 

Now, I have had an interest in native American culture for years therefore I knew right away this oil was going home with me. 

The first thing I noticed when I got it home was that it was signed in its bottom corner -- "FERTHERWIND" Shirley McLoughlin (spelling by artist).

Then I took the time to take a close look at the oil and noticed that the native American man in the painting was wearing what seemed to be two turkey vulture feathers as a headdress!

If I was superstitious I would think turkey vultures had some meaning in my life. But for now I look at this day as one that brought unexpected pleasures!

Reference:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Turkey_Vulture/id

HARBINGER OF SPRING -- SKUNK CABBAGE

Lysichiton americanum

A skunk-cabbage -- native plant

Driving along a two lane highway yesterday I noticed some bright yellow spots in some shallow waters beside the road. I stopped to check it out and realized it was skunk-cabbage plants -- a harbinger of spring. Although it wasn't the typical maroon-ish color I was used to seeing -- I knew right away it was skunk-cabbage! I snapped a few photos and went on my way. I was familiar with this plant from when I lived in Michigan so it was a wonderful surprise to find it here in Oregon.

Several skunk cabbage plants glowing in the water.

When I got home I grabbed my new book I had just bought titled Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast by Pojar and MacKinnon. On its pages I found out that Oregon's skunk-cabbage was a glowing yellow and can be found only along areas of the Pacific Northwest coastline. And that is where I was driving -- near the coastline. 

I also did some searching online about the skunk-cabbage plant and found a fine article written by a Craig Holdrege that thinks highly of the skunk-cabbage plant, you can find it here.

And a bit of a native American tale was provided by Pojar and MacKinnon that I will share with you:

In the ancient days, they say, there is no salmon. The Indians had nothing to eat save roots and leaves. Principal among them was the skunk-cabbage. Finally the spring salmon came for the first time. As they passed up the river, a person stood upon the shore and shouted, "Here come our relatives whose bodies are full of eggs! If it had not been for me all the people would have starved." "Who speaks to us?" asked the salmon. "Your uncle Skunk Cabbage," was the reply . . . (Kathlamet tribe, Native American, Haskin 1934 )

So the skunk-cabbage tale can be included as a type of folkway as it became a traditional story within a defined community over time. 

For those of you that live out East where there is still snow -- the skunk-cabbage can grow right up through the snow to wish you a happy spring. So keep looking for possible signs of skunk-cabbage pushing through the snow in natural areas such as a wet meadow. They usually will be a variegated maroon rather than the flashy western yellow. 

WHITE BUFFALO SYMBOLISM

Sometimes my mind can be rather playful when I am taking photographs. This photo, taken on my small back deck, spoke Rorschach symbolism to me when I snapped it. It had naturally occurred  from fresh white snow caressing a small tree branch. 

Patterns have always intrigued me. This pattern appeared  rather mystical -- like a Native American white buffalo. 

Later that day, when I was back in my cozy abode, I looked up  its symbolism.  On this Native American site it said the appearance of a white buffalo is rare -- it signifies a time of change upon the planet and a new level of responsibility for humankind. Their interpretation leaves lots of room for  our imagination.