luciwest

[luciwest]

Tropical Milkweed - in my backyard - cosmos to aphids - before getting gobbled up by monarch caterpillars Hope you spend your weekend in a way that makes you happier. #floridagardening #milkweedformonarchs #backyardoasis #happierplace #historickenwood (at Historic Kenwood) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqOXKXvJfX0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#floridagardening #milkweedformonarchs #backyardoasis #happierplace #historickenwood

[luciwest]

THANK YOU to everyone who came to my place during the Kenwood Artist Enclave Studio Tour this weekend. Wow! What a weekend! Thank you for all the great conversations, compliments, connections, questions, inspiration, tips, and purchases! My personal goal this week is to update my website to include all my new work, including new photos, the wood transfers, the super-sized vinyl banners, and the giclée option. And I need to update that certain limited edition photos are now sold out for good, e.g. the three 20x20 inch flamingo kiss metal prints. (Thank you, Leslie and Sandy!) LINK VIA BIO or direct: LuciWest.com Thank you to Bob, @bryan_klopfenstein, and Stephen (Blue Island Group) and @debrubysings Deb Ruby for being the musical guest artists and creating such a beautiful atmosphere with your songs. And thank you to Letisia Cruz @lesinfin.art for being the visual guest artist and bringing your stunning girls, birds, and other works to my outdoor studio. An extra special thank you to Kaleena, Sudsy, Anne Wade for being the most fabulous greeters welcoming each guest who came through the front gate. You three are my personal rock stars! Another big thank you to Mo and Captain Mark for hosting / wrangling WhiskeyDog. And as always, I'm forever grateful to @ssolary2 Thank you for co-hosting, helping make the art happen, putting up with me and supporting me in all ways, and building that "rain drain" so that according to Murhpy's Law it wouldn't rain all weekend. #aehkstpete #aehkstudiotour #birdnerd #floridakeys (at Robbie's Marina, Islamorada, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqD1jZAJYYd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#aehkstpete #aehkstudiotour #birdnerd #floridakeys

[luciwest]

Welcome! The Historic Kenwood Artist Enclave Studio Tour is happening this weekend at 20 stops, including my home - and outdoor studio / indoor creative lab. You know you've found it if you see this birdfeeder, with or without parrots on it. Thank you to all who came on this first day - and welcome all who are coming on Sunday. We will have live music again, on Sunday by singer-songwriter @debrubysings at 1pm and 3pm. And @lesinfin.art will read poetry at 11am. I've got lots of new work to share with you. Some that is so handmade, I've developed blisters. Some already sold but kindly left for you to still see. Some gone already. And lots of interesting people to chat with. And always plenty of birds, butterflies, and blooms to take in. The tour is free and self-guided. Tour map, schedule, info: https://kenwoodartistenclave.org/artist-studio-tour/ #aehkstpete #aehkstudiotour #birdnerd #parrotslife #floridabirds https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp9J1Q4sAWH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#aehkstpete #aehkstudiotour #birdnerd #parrotslife #floridabirds

[luciwest]

Admittedly, it's all been a bit hectic lately. I'm very excited about the @aehkstpete Studio Tour next weekend. But all the hustle can be exhausting and a little anxiety-inducing. Stealing moments to just appreciate the simple beauty of our native salvia blooming all over my yard, is calming and rejuvenating. #GoNature #HappierPlace https://www.instagram.com/p/CpqcdE_gmrX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#gonature #happierplace

[luciwest]

Another backyard surprise! With all the plants (and work) we've put into our yard since we bought it 1 1/2 years ago, there are still "surprise plants" we didn't know we had until they suddenly bloom, like this one. Daffodil? Narcissus? #happierplace #backyard #backyardoasis #historickenwood #aehkstpete #flowermagic #floridawinter (at Historic Kenwood) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpadS3kuU8T/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#happierplace #backyard #backyardoasis #historickenwood #aehkstpete #flowermagic #floridawinter

[luciwest]

Do you see it? It saw you first! I think this is one of those photos that would be experienced very differently printed vs. just seeing it online. I think I'm going to print it. Might just have it on display for my next show... On March 18 & 19 my "studio" aka my backyard and creative (kitchen) lab will be open to the public during the @aehkstpete Studio Tour. I'm working on some new pieces that will be a more hands-on - and others that are moving - and others that are larger than life... And maybe this one... #bluetit #birding #zwischendenmeeren #Blaumeise #camouflage #birdnerd https://www.instagram.com/p/CpA59WDN2JC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#bluetit #birding #zwischendenmeeren #blaumeise #camouflage #birdnerd

[luciwest]

Gruenfink – European Greenfinch in the snow next to an apple my mom put under the birdfeeder – for those birds that prefer fruit and having meals at ground level. Just occurs to me know how this photo (yellow-green feathers, yellow-green apple) could be a companion to the one I took of a house finch in our tangerine tree (orange feathers, orange tangerine). Bird: Greenfinch Location: Haselau, Germany #greenfinch #gruenfink #your_best_birds #bbcearth #birdstagram #vogelspotten #happierplace #birding (at Haseldorfer Marsch) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co-0DK8sPEi/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#greenfinch #gruenfink #your_best_birds #bbcearth #birdstagram #vogelspotten #happierplace #birding

[luciwest]

Eurasian Great Tit aka Kohlmeise. Photographed this winter at my parents' house in Germany and featured in the photo blog post I just published: Birds at the Bird Feeder in Germany During The Winter https://luciwest.com/birds-at-the-bird-feeder-in-germany-during-the-winter/ LINK VIA BIO This bird reminds me of how I loved birds already as a child because I recall drawing this and the similar Blue Tit (Blaumeise). Such a joy to watch them again while visiting Germany in the winter. Happy Great Backyard Bird Count weekend! #birds_adored #backyardbirds #greatbackyardbirdcount #happierplace #kohlmeise #your_best_birds #zwischendenmeeren #greattit #birding #birdnerd @audubon #audubon https://www.instagram.com/p/CozSM-BsGix/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#birds_adored #backyardbirds #greatbackyardbirdcount #happierplace #kohlmeise #your_best_birds #zwischendenmeeren #greattit #birding #birdnerd #audubon

[luciwest]

I've been fascinated with the outstanding #longexpsoure and even #intentionalblur photography by from-another-era Google Create friends like @markhurn_art and @cdmandich. One of these days I'd like to explore that more. While working on a photo blog post, I just came across this photo of a Eurasian titmouse (blue or great) and I rather like it. So instead of tossing it, I better share it right now without overthinking it too much - because it might not make it into the blog post about German winter birds (to come out later today). But I'm feeling quite inspired to purposefully take long exposure photos of birds in flight. Maybe more to come... I should add that if you were to look closely at this photo there's a layer of texture - I also took this photo through a window. Another "daring" no-no. #motionblurphotography #paintingwithlight #aehkstpete #birder #birdphotography #titmouse #meise #blaumeise #kohlmeise #greattit #bluetit #haseldorfermarsch (at Haselau) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cou73qHpcgp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#longexpsoure #intentionalblur #motionblurphotography #paintingwithlight #aehkstpete #birder #birdphotography #titmouse #meise #blaumeise #kohlmeise #greattit #bluetit #haseldorfermarsch

[luciwest]

Something that never gets old: seeing wild parrots stopping through our yard for a snack. #happierplace #backyardoasis #floridabirds #your_best_birds #women_wildlife_photography #stpetefl #lovefl #historickenwood #aehkstpete (at Historic Kenwood) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoiRRP3JQQ8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#happierplace #backyardoasis #floridabirds #your_best_birds #women_wildlife_photography #stpetefl #lovefl #historickenwood #aehkstpete

[luciwest]

How come I never see Bluebirds in St. Pete? Does anyone see them on the Pinellas Peninsula? Sometimes it does feel like we live on an island here, doesn't it. As soon as you cross over the bay to Tampa suddenly you see cattle egrets, sandhill cranes, and probably tons of bluebirds. This one I discovered in St. Augustine the other day. #floridabirds #roamflorida #floridaexplored #birdnerd #birdphotography #audobonsociety #happierplace #women_wildlife_photography #birds_adored (at St Augustines) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoX_X4svn-J/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#floridabirds #roamflorida #floridaexplored #birdnerd #birdphotography #audobonsociety #happierplace #women_wildlife_photography #birds_adored

[luciwest]

Facts: 1. Circle of life. 2. Sometimes it's hard to make a choice. Questions: 1. Butterfly or Lizard? that is: native Gulf Fritillary or invasive Brown Anole? 2. Which photo would you have shared if you had to choose? Oh, and I’m saving the close-up photos for another day… #backyardoasis #historickenwood #women_wildlife_photography #lizards #wildlifeonearth #ourplanetdaily #floridaexplored #exploreflorida #roamflorida #herpingflorida #herping #camouflage #darkerplace (at Historic Kenwood) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoLUE_0vVi5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#backyardoasis #historickenwood #women_wildlife_photography #lizards #wildlifeonearth #ourplanetdaily #floridaexplored #exploreflorida #roamflorida #herpingflorida #herping #camouflage #darkerplace

[luciwest]

Backyard Beauties - Winter in Florida - Turkish Hat Bee https://www.instagram.com/p/CoD4nitv1ey/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[luciwest]

Yesterday, I had an amazing time with Dianne and Bud (visiting from Ohio) at Sunken Gardens - the 90-year-old roadside attraction in St. Pete. Amazing because how equally enthusiastic we all were about nature when our shared history is about something completely different. I also took some photos of the resident flamingos. I also got an annual pass for Sunken Gardens. There may be many more flamingo photos in the future. You've been warned. #roamflorida #birds_adored #birdsonearth #flamingo #vspc #LoveFL #sunkengardens #stpete #pinkflamingo #floridabirds (at Sunken Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn5paV4P1PB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#roamflorida #birds_adored #birdsonearth #flamingo #vspc #lovefl #sunkengardens #stpete #pinkflamingo #floridabirds

[luciwest]

In my Florida yard, it's the season of new passion butterflies (gulf fritillary) and that big "fake" lavender blooming. These are the days I don't miss any of my former homes. Yay #FloridaWinter! https://www.instagram.com/p/CnsM5G4vpo5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#floridawinter

[luciwest]

Yay! You made it through the first week of January. Congratulations! Did you have any new year's resolutions that you kept up with? How about giving "Dry January" a try - or maybe "no sugar or carbs until I cry"? Did you keep up your exercise goals? Or maybe try something new every day? My recommendation: instead of goals for the new year, reflect on all the wonderful and happy and healthy of the last year and doing more of that in the new year. This list of prompts can help with reflect / rejoice / move forward: https://happier.place/2022-2023-happier-questions-and-happier-inspiration-for-a-happier-you/ #HappierPlace #domoreofwhatmakesyouhappier #goals https://www.instagram.com/p/CnKHL_0vGKX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#happierplace #domoreofwhatmakesyouhappier #goals

[luciwest]

This Tufted Titmouse is the bird featured on the January page of the poster-sized 2023 St. PetersBird calendar. Did you know? 1. Every month, I publish a short post on the StPetersBird.com website about the bird of the month. 2. You can still purchase the 2023 calendar via the website and also at Creative Grape Gallery and Wine Bar (St. Petersburg, FL). This photo I took from my front yard into my neighbor's front yard where the largest of the titmice was resting for a brief moment in a beauty berry bush - in St. Petersburg, Florida. #floridaexplored #roamflorida #natureseekers #birdnerd #titmouse #your_best_birds #birds_adored https://www.instagram.com/p/CnAXnbSP4a5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#floridaexplored #roamflorida #natureseekers #birdnerd #titmouse #your_best_birds #birds_adored