The Allure of Birds: Photos by Karla Schultz; “Compass” (Poem)

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Leslie Schultz

Male Cardinal, Atlanta Botanical Gardens (photo: Karla Schultz)

Compass

Flickering flame, face
Black as soot, the cardinal
Flies north, points to spring.

Leslie Schultz

At the vernal equinox, here in Minnesota, we start looking for migratory birds heading north, one of the clear signs of spring.

Male Cardinal, Calaway Gardens, GA (photo: Karla Schultz)

Nuthatch near Macon, GA (photo: Karla Schultz)

At this time of year in Minnesota, the landscape holds a lot of white, black, and grey on both sides of the horizon line. One has to look harder to see the subtle colors that are, in fact, there. This is the time of year when I long for a few days of Caribbean blue waters, the intense terracotta of the southwestern mesas, the legendary emerald greens of Ireland. I understand the impulse of the snowbird.

Warbler near Savannah, GA (photo: Karla Schultz)

Travel is not on the table just now, but, thanks to my sister, Karla, here are some images of bright-winged travelers. All images were taken in the southeastern United States (Georgia and Florida). Just the roll call of their names gives me the lift of color I crave: roseate spoonbill, green heron, Great Blue heron, red-bellied woodpecker, greater yellow-legs…! All of these species, and more (including those with beautiful white, black, brown, and grey plumage) are here, including the art history star, the goldfinch. (Mystified? Scroll to the bottom to uncover the reference!)

Roseate Spoonbill in Florida (photo: Karla Schultz)

: Egret in Florida (photo: Karla Schultz)

Egret Chicks in Florida (photo: Karla Schultz)

: Greater Yellowlegs in Florida (photo: Karla Schultz)

Coot near Savannah, GA (photo: Karla Schultz)

Black Vulture in Florida (photo: Karla Schultz)

Eastern Bluebird in Atlanta, GA (photo: Karla Schultz)

Wren near Macon, GA (photo: Karla Schultz)

How do you feel about the colors in nature at this time of year? If you need a little extra “color therapy”, how do you find it?

: Goldfinch near Macon, GA (photo: Karla Schultz)

On a literary note, if you are looking for a long, satisfying novel to dive into, consider the new title by Donna Tartt, The Goldfinch. Tim gave it to me this year at Christmas. I found it to be a mesmerizing, art-filled, lyrical page turner and so did he.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Or dip into the modern poems of Ron Padgett…

…or seek out this gorgeous anthology that pairs watercolor illustrations of particular birds with poems–classic, modern, or contemporary–from dozens of authors, each chosen with care by Poet Laureate Billy Collins.

Thank you for reading this! If you think of someone else who might enjoy it, please forward it to them. And, if you are not already a subscriber, I invite you to subscribe to the Wednesday posts I am sending out each week–it’s easy, it’s free, and I won’t share your address with anyone!

Happy Groundhog’s Day!

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Leslie Schultz

Groundhog, Smoky Mountains, 2012 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Whether you call it a groundhog or a woodchuck, a land-beaver or even a whistle-pig, today has become known as this mammal’s special day. Each year, I try to juggle the three ideas that cling to February 2: the groundhog fearing its shadow (or not) and serving as an indicator for the onset of spring; the church festival of Candlemas (blessing of the candles); and the feast day of Celtic goddess-turned-Irish-saint, Brigid (or Brigit or Brighid, patron of doorways, liminal lights (dawn, twilight, or hearth-fire), and poetry). (Interestingly, she is credited with inventing the whistle–a link to the ‘whistle-pig?’)

Whatever you call it, this cross-quarter day (midway between the shadowy depths of the Winter Solstice and the equity of day and night at the Vernal Equinox) marks our human need for light of all kind, whether sunlight or insight. Or, in this case, photography (literally ‘writing with light’). Thank you, Karla! I have never seen more riveting photos of groundhogs, and I am as mesmerized by the delicate outline of the ear in profile as I am warned by the full frontal display of teeth (do I imagine it?) bared in menace!

Groundhog, Smoky Mountains, 2012 (photo: Karla Schultz)

Stay tuned for a photo of Peanut doing his best groundhog impersonation!

Northfield Sidewalk Poetry 2014, “Words fly” (poem), Insect and Arachnid Photos by Karla Schultz

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Leslie Schultz

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, Fort Morris, Georgia (photo: Karla Schultz)

Northfield’s fourth annual Sidewalk Poetry competition kicks off on Saturday, February 1 at 10:00 at the Just Food Community Room. If you are in the area, stop by with a poem you’d love to read or recite, or just come to listen, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate poetry. A special bonus is the world premiere screening of filmmaker Paul Krause’s twenty-two minute documentary on the 2013 project. The DVD follows the whole cycle, from the judging of submissions to installation of poems and the capstone event at Bridge Square.

Copies of the DVD will be available at the Kick-off event for $15 and can also be ordered from Paul at Dancing Sun Multimedia for $20 plus postage. For more information on this year’s guidelines (they have changed a bit!) and text of the previous winning poems take a look at the city’s website or the Sidewalk Poetry page on the Friends and Foundation of the Northfield Public Library website.

For a little more discussion of the project, including thoughts by Paul Krause and readings of poems we love by Philip Spensley and me, check out the archived radio broadcast of ArtZany with Paula Granquist for Friday, January 24, 2014 on KYMN-AM (1080).

Grasshopper, Atlanta Botanical Garden (photo: Karla Schultz)

Mosaic by Pat Kaluza from Karla’s photograph (photo: Karla Schultz)

Art, including Sidewalk Poems, is inspired by nature, emotions, ideas, and/or other art. In the pair of photographs above, a photograph that my sister, Karla, took of a grasshopper inspired me to try to render it as a pencil drawing. Then I got a much better idea: for Karla’s 50th birthday, I commissioned artist Pat Kaluza to create a translucent mosaic of stained glass inspired by the photograph. Julia and I accompanied Pat as she selected some key pieces of glass for the piece–a magical experience.

And this photograph by Karla is always displayed in our dining room:

Butterfly, Callaway Gardens, Georgia (photo: Karla Schultz)

I wonder: did I have it in mind subconsciously when I wrote a poem last year that is now impressed into the sidewalk in downtown Northfield?

Words fly
like insects:
tiny, necessary.
Living jewels,
they shimmer and journey,
incidentally encouraging
fruit from flowers,
igniting
the dusk, the stars.

Leslie Schultz

I know that inspiration can come from any direction. It is my job as an artist to stay alert and to make time to allow the inspiration to unfold when it arrives. And I know that at this snowy time of the year, when I am inside more than I prefer to be, I am especially inspired by Karla’s photographs of the natural world. Below are just a few of my favorites.

Robber Fly, Piedmont, Georgia (photo: Karla Schultz)

Praying Mantis, Clayton, Georgia (photo: Karla Schultz)

Spider, Clayton, Georgia (photo: Karla Schultz)

Hummingbird moth, North Carolina (photo: Karla Schultz)

Eastern Leaf-footed Bug, North Carolina (photo: Karla Schultz)

Katydid, Clayton, Georgia (photo: Karla Schultz)

Fishing Spider, Clayton, Georgia (photo: Karla Schultz)

Yellow and Black Garden Spider, Clayton, Georgia (photo: Karla Schultz)

Sulphur Butterfly, Clayton, Georgia (photo: Karla Schultz)

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, North Carolina (photo: Karla Schultz)

Celestial Candles for the Dark Days of the Year: Photography by Karla Schultz

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Leslie Schultz

Sunrise, Savannah River National Wildlife Refuge, 2013 (Karla Schultz)

As the year slingshots toward that place Robert Frost termed “The darkest evening of the year”, we human mammals are drawn toward light in all its manifestations. From candles and colorful lights to light-hearted tasks like baking cookies, we need to create reminders that the warmth of the sun will return with full strength.

Photography, literally “writing with light”, can help kindle that same comfort. This week, I offer you some photographs that capture those arresting moments when heavenly light is strong and clear and riveting our attention. Each was taken by my sister, Karla Schultz, a photographer who takes most of her images in the southeastern United States. I hope that you enjoy this feast of light as much as I do! Happy Winter Solstice!