Art – a curious nature

It’s National Coloring Book Day!

August 2, 2026

Who doesn’t remember coloring as a kid? Not only on brilliant bright white walls (haha!) but especially in a favorite coloring book. An activity that’s been popular with children for decades, adult coloring became a “thing” in the early 1960s. Anyone taking the time to color, find it fun and often educational. But the subtle benefits of coloring for both children and adults go much deeper.

Origin of National Coloring Book Day – Founded in 1941, Dover Publications, a company that’s been publishing adult coloring books since 1970, declared a National Coloring Book Day in May 2015. Taking their lead, and to make the day official, the Registrar at National Day Calendar declared National Coloring Book Day to be observed annually on August 2nd.

Zentangle patterns: Barrel Roll, Diva Dance, Aura-Leah, Zinger, Fescue, Droopy, BugZen, Floral Waves

History of Coloring Books

The year was 1879 when the first-of-its-kind “coloring book,” The Little Folks’ Painting Book, was published by McLoughlin Brothers (today known as the Milton Bradley Company). This book, meant to be painted with watercolors, became very popular — so much so that during the 1880s-1920s, educators and illustrators created a flurry of drawings for many more painting books that everyone could afford, not just the rich. These books, illustrating a wide range of topics, was a way to democratize art by making art available to all and encouraging artistic creativity, especially among children.

Of course there were other pioneers in painting books, such as including Louis Prang¹ (I still have my first set of Prang watercolors!) and Richard F. Outcault² (of Buster Brown fame).

Enter the Crayon! – Even after wax crayons were mass-produced in 1903 (read about the fascinating history of crayons in my 2024 post Happy National Crayon Day), the painting books were still largely designed to be painted. The transition of painting books to coloring books finally happened between the 1930s and 1940s, although the books were still designed to be painted as well as colored. This period of time is usually referred to as the golden age of childhood coloring.

Zentangle patterns: Wob, Brizas, Ribbon’nu, Chatoo, Zaon, Wevo, Sprang, Grass Border

Make Way Kids! – In 1961, adult coloring books became a cultural phenomenon with the release of The Executive Coloring Book, a satirical guide meant to mock corporate conformity. This somewhat controversial coloring book paved the way for the massive obsession with adult coloring books in the 2010s.

Learning Through Coloring – A picture is worth a thousand words! Since the 1980s, several publishers have produced educational coloring books intended for studying graduate-level topics like anatomy and physiology. This approach for teaching complicated subjects uses color-coding of highly detailed diagrams as a learning aid. Examples include The Anatomy Coloring Book, and others in the series covering topics in zoology, biology, human evolution, and botany. These coloring books and countless others specializing in educating people of all ages often have textbook quality descriptions accompanying each image.

Coloring as Meditation, and Other Benefits – It’s long been known that the practice of coloring in a coloring book, is a great way to relax, reduce anxiety and stress, and release your inner child in ways similar to meditation. Coloring helps create focus, and can develop fine motor skills and vision. Coloring books are often used as tools in rehabilitation of accident victims to aid recovery of hand-eye coordination. They are used with autistic children both for entertainment and for their soothing effect. Coloring books are also used to reduce the trauma of hospitalized children by explaining complicated medical conditions and/or their upcoming surgical procedure.

Zentangle patterns: Trimond, Fandance, Aleuba, Canyon, Sage, Aztoo, Spoon Flower, Coyfish

How to Observe National Coloring Book Day

With so many colors and designs to choose from, coloring books offers enjoyment in so many settings, especially since they’re portable and come in a variety of sizes.

Take coloring books on vacation with you for rainy days or to document a fun memory.
Coloring books make great gifts any time of year. When someone visits, be sure to leave a coloring book and colors in the guest room for downtime. At the office, keep a variety of books in the breakroom for co-workers to fill up.
Find a coloring party near you or participate online.
Spend some time coloring with your friends, children, or grandchildren or by yourself. Enjoy the creativity of making a picture come to life.
Download the official #NationalColoringBookDay 2021 color page.
Download Dover’s 12-page mini-coloring book, “National Coloring Book Day (2026)”

Zentangle patterns: Ying, Safflower, Eddyper, Lui-laa, Moonpie, Osoo, Amun, Fragment, Sylver, Trumpits, Bee-D

Next Steps – To get your National Coloring Book Day celebration off to a fun start, you’re invited to:

pick one (or all) of my illustrations to download and print — or create your own;
color it (them) with any single or combination of media you like or have never used before. Try watercolor with colored pencil. How about watercolor pencil! Use colorful ink markers for a vibrant effect. Choose pastels or even pan pastels, or both. Water soluble inks or tinted graphite might be your cuppa tea;
share your colored page(s) with me by emailing barb.masinton@gmail.com so I can post them on my blog (if you give me permission) AND/OR share your page(s) on social media – tagging #NationalColoringBookDay (keep following my blog to see how my colored pages turn out);
add a comment to my post letting me know if you accepted my invitation and describe your experience … did you realize any of the benefits of coloring described in my post? Most of all, did you have fun?

Happy National Coloring Book Day!

¹Louis Prang (1824 – 1909), often referred to as the “Father of the American Christmas Card,” was a German-American printer whose goal was that every child have access to safe art tools. He created Prang watercolors in 1856 — affordable, non-toxic, moist pan watercolor sets designed specifically for public school student art education. As the founder of the Prang Educational Company in 1882, he supplied classrooms with all sorts of art supplies, launched art textbooks, and developed the Prang Method of instruction in the 1870s and 1880s. The American Crayon Company acquired Prang’s art lines in 1909, eventually becoming part of Dixon Ticonderoga.

My first watercolor set …. Long, long …… long ago!

Inside my Prang watercolor set — the original pans but not the original brush (which wore out years ago).

² Richard F. Outcault (1863 – 1928) was an American cartoonist who pioneered the modern comic strip. Creator of the character Buster Brown and his dog Tige, Outcault authored Buster’s Paint Book in 1907, launching a trend in using coloring books to advertise a wide variety of products, including coffee and pianos. In the early 1900s, Outcault licensed the name “Buster Brown” for use in a wide number of consumer products, including children’s shoes manufactured by the Brown Shoe Company (today known as Caleres, owner of Famous Footwear, Naturalizer, Dr. Scholl’s comfort shoes and a long list of luxury and athletic brands). Since 1904, the “Buster Brown” character and Tige have been Company mascots, appearing in television commercials (1940s and ‘50s) and in comics advertising their shoes. Both Buster Brown and Tige were revived with an updated, more contemporary look for a brief advertising campaign in the 1980s and 1990s.

House Finch – Page 14 .. The 100 Day Project (2026)

July 14, 2026

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus ssp. frontalis)

aka Common House Finch

More than likely you’ve seen the sparrow-sized House Finch if you live almost anywhere in the U.S., southern Canada, or Mexico. The males are particularly showy with their bright red heads, throats and breasts, and their bouncy flight is sure to catch your attention. Just filling a backyard bird feeder with black oil sunflower seeds can bring a flock of 50 House Finches in to feast. They tend to dominate their favorite feeders, often chasing off competitors, after which you’ll have plenty of time to observe these finches as they sit still while shelling seeds by rapidly biting and crushing them with their large beaks.

If you aren’t familiar with House Finches, you’ve probably heard their long, twittering song, which they belt out in most neighborhoods from coast to coast. Their song, so full of excitement and energy, is usually sung from the top branch of a tall juniper or pinyon pine tree. House Finches seem to be pleading urgently for attention by clearly singing, “Talk to me PLEASE, isn’t anybody THERE!!” (At least that’s what I hear over and over again first thing every morning throughout the Spring and Summer!)

Not knowing how many broods have been reared this year, to date, it seems like we’ve enjoyed a large number of family groups around the house. Fledglings are fun to watch in flight as they constantly chase adults to beg for food. These futile attempts for free handouts strengthens their wing muscles and hones their acrobatic skills. Usually defeated, these novice students soon land in a tree and begin a long, hard practice session to learn their parents’ complex song.

Completely exhausted, they will return to a certain cholla and the nest where the adult female fed and defended them as nestlings during the first 12-20 days of their lives. Finding even one of their well-hidden nests in any of those 4 to 7 foot tall cactus “trees” is quite the prickly endeavor! Even knowing how to recognize a House Finch nest hasn’t prevented me from experiencing plentiful and painful spiny jabs. What an excellent defensive location our local birds choose for nesting.

The Nest and Nesting Habits

In as little as two days, the female builds a cup-shaped nest made of fine stems, leaves, rootlets, thin twigs, string, wool, and feathers, with similar, but finer materials for the lining. This sturdy nest, durable enough to raise up to six broods a season, measures 3-7 inches wide; the inside cup is 1-3 inches across and up to 2 inches deep.

House Finches usually build their nests in cavities in deciduous and coniferous trees, on cactus and rocky ledges, and in or on buildings using sites like vents, ledges, street lamps, ivy, and hanging planters. They will also claim nests abandoned by other birds.

A western House Finch is likely to build its nest within 60 feet of where it was the previous breeding season; eastern birds choose sites more than half a mile away from prior nests. Despite these differing habits, all nest sites have a few things in common: a sturdy base and a roof-like overhang to shelter against sun and rain.

House Finch Facts

With over 40 million House Finches across North America, they are currently one of the most widespread and common bird species across the United States, second only to the American goldfinch.
Native to the Southwest U.S. and Mexico, in 1939 a few House Finches captured in Santa Barbara, California, were sold to a New York City pet store owner as “Hollywood Birds.” Even back then, the sale of these birds was recognized as illegal under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. To avoid prosecution under the Act, the pet store owner released the finches …. they were set free on New York’s Long Island. By the early 1940s wild nests were discovered on Long Island, and from there the spread continued.
Sometime before 1870, House Finches were introduced to Oahu from San Francisco. By 1901, they had become abundant on all the major Hawaiian Islands.
Where House Finches are an introduced species, they are considered naturalized ¹. They’re also considered an invasive species in some places, largely in unforested lands across the eastern U.S. where they’ve displaced the native purple finch (and even the non-native house sparrow!).
In their native range in the Southwest U.S. and Mexico, House Finches live in desert, grassland, shrubland, and open woodland environments, as well as near human dwellings and cities. The biggest House Finch flocks in the East are found in cities, and it’s much more common to find the eastern birds in habitats developed by people than anywhere else.
Depending on where they live, House Finches can appear very different. Within the 11 officially recognized subspecies, body size, beak size and shape, wing length, tail length, and coloring can all vary regionally. For example, the northeastern migratory populations have longer and more pointed wings better suited for longer flights than the western finches which tend to be permanent, year-round residents. Also, House Finches on Guadalupe Island off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, have heftier beaks than mainland birds.
The bright red (and sometimes orange or yellow) plumage on the head, throat and chest of mature House Finch males comes from compounds in their food (bird species are unable to produce red or yellow other than by diet). These pigments, called carotenoids (the same ones found in carrots and tomatoes), come from the berries and other fruits they eat. Females prefer mates with the biggest and brightest red-colored patches — a sign of a well-fed male.
House Finches are among the strictest avian vegetarians: seeds, buds, fruit, and foliage comprise 97% of their year-round diet. Most seed-eating birds not only eat insects in the spring and summer when they are abundant, but will feed bugs to their nestlings to add protein for growth. Except for the occasional fly larva, House Finches stick to a vegetarian diet.
Dealing with a pandemic for decades, these birds suffer from “House Finch Eye Disease,” a form of conjunctivitis that was first detected in Washington D.C. in the winter of 1994. Since then, the bacterial illness has expanded continent-wide causing big declines in House Finch numbers. Infected birds often have swollen or reddened eyes and may appear inactive or confused. Over time, it leads to birds becoming blind, disoriented, and vulnerable to predators. Other finch species, such as the American Goldfinch, are also affected. Because the disease is spread through social contact, it’s very important to keep bird feeders and baths clean.
The mite, Pellonyssus reedi, is often found on House Finch nestlings, particularly later in the season. However, the adult female has a clever strategy in response to these often fatal attacks. Since male chicks are more vulnerable to a mite outbreak, she will lay eggs containing females first to reduce the length of time male chicks are exposed to mites. This strategy increases the likelihood that representative numbers of both sexes will survive.

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Share stories of your local House Finches!

Hope you found this interesting!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

¹ A species is considered “naturalized” if it didn’t originally evolve in an area but has successfully adapted, established a permanent population, and is reproducing independently in the wild. These species are non-native, surviving without human help. Note: not all naturalized species are considered invasive.

References

allaboutbirds.org

audubon.org

iNaturalist.org

Lanceolated Chafer- Page 13 .. The 100 Day Project (2026)

July 9, 2026

Lanceolated Chafer (Phyllophaga lanceolata)

(syn Melolontha lanceolata)

aka Brown Scarab Beetle, May (June) Beetle

The Lanceolated Chafer (Phyllophaga lanceolata) is a scarab beetle native to North America. In New Mexico (along with Colorado and Kansas) these chafers thrive in open, grassy ecosystems, including native shortgrass prairies, pastures, rangelands, and agricultural fields dominated by grasses like blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and others. It’s in these arid habitats that the larvae (grubs) are rarely considered major pests¹. Unlike most Phyllophaga species, adults are diurnal (active during the day); females are flightless.

Adults – This small to medium-sized chunky beetle, is about 0.5 to 0.7 inches (13 to 17 mm) long; females are larger than males. Their hard wing/body cover (elytra) is brown with several darker brown/grayish longitudinal marks under a coat of white bristly hairs. Their segmented abdomens are mostly a smooth grayish/white; their thorax (pronotum) is heavily covered with long brown hairs. Because of their noticeably long, magenta-colored legs, they stand tall above the ground while walking. If picked up, their legs feel clingy and prickly. Adults live only 1 – 2 months, just long enough to grab a quick bite to eat, mate, and lay eggs.

Calling All Males!

The female Lanceolated Chafer produces and uses a unique sex pheromone, l-leucine methyl ester, to attract males! Because this pheromone acts as a highly-targeted sex attractant in the wild, she is able to communicate her readiness to mate and get a rapid response. As has been demonstrated in field trials, male chafers catching a whiff of her urgent communication can’t resist the call and come flying (read the true story of my eye-witness account in my post titled The Life and Times of the Lanceolated Chafer ). Research scientists (and I) whole-heartedly believe this pheromone contributes to the species’ reproductive success in its native range.

This was a unique discovery because the Lanceolated Chafer is the first scarab beetle ever identified to produce an amino acid-derived pheromone. (And there are over 35,000 species of scarab beetles in the world, making up one of the largest and most diverse insect families on Earth!) The pheromone is so effective at targeting male chafers that entomologists use it to monitor and manage populations of these beetles in agricultural crops and turfgrass.

Probably a male chafer, walking along the 2-track trail

And now a note about topic organization …..

As in all beetle species, it’s usually the adults that are encountered. And it was the adult stage of the Lanceolated Chafer that’s most obvious along the subdivision’s 2-track rockpile trail. That’s why information about the adults was placed first, even though it’s actually the final stage in the life cycle of the chafer. But it’s interesting to understand how all those adults came to be. So the following few sections tackle the highlights of the 1 – 3 year long larval stage, and pupal stage of their life cycle, which take place after egg laying and hatching. Afterall, the Lanceolated Chafer spends the longest parts of their lives underground. And then, for no particular reason, I’ll end with a section on entomology.

Larval Stage – Larvae (grubs) have a translucent white to cream-colored body and a light tan to brown hard and stiff (sclerotized) head capsule. Larvae have three pairs of well-developed legs. When at rest they do so in a C-shaped curve.

By the 3rd instar, internal organs are more visible and jaws are larger! Grubs have a voracious appetite.

Larvae live for 1 – 3 years, primarily in the upper layers of the soil profile. To protect themselves from extremes in soil temperatures, both in summer and winter, they will burrow to depths ranging from 3 to 20 inches (7.6 to 50.8 cm), averaging 10.3 inches (26.2 cm). Larvae actually hibernate in the winter.

The three instar stages of larvae development, serves to progressively increase body size, head capsule width, and degree of sclerotization. At the end of each instar, larva take up excess air and/or water to swell their bodies. This extra pressure causes its old exoskeleton to split, allowing it to be shed (a process called ecdysis). Mature (third instar) larvae are 1.75 inches (45 mm) long with a nearly uniform body width.

Pupal Stage and Metamorphosis – When larvae are ready to move beyond the third instar, each individual builds a protective, earthen cell in the soil 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) deep where they will remain for the next 2 – 4 weeks while they undergo metamorphosis and and finally emerge as adult beetles.

Etymology

The genus, Phyllophaga, is a generic name that comes from two Greek words ….. phyllon which means “leaf,” and phagos which means “eater.” The specific epithet lanceolata comes from the Latin word lanceolatus, meaning lance-shaped, probably referring to the fine, lanceolate hair-like scales covering parts of the beetle’s body, such as the head (frons) and thorax (pronotum). The etymology of the word “chafer” comes from an Old English word meaning “gnawer,” referring to the beetle’s strong jaws.

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Hope you found this interesting!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

¹ Larvae of Lanceolated chafers are considered serious pests in the humid central and eastern U.S. they cause extensive damage to agricultural crops like corn, timothy, potatoes, and various other plants in the grass (Gramineae), pea (Fabaceae), and sunflower (Asteraceae) families.

References

ageconsearch.unm.edu

bugguide.net

grokipedia.com

iNaturalist.org

insectIdentification.org

invasive.org

npsnm.org

Lunginbill Sr., P and Printer, H.R., 1953, May Beetles of the US

The Life and Times of the Lanceolated Chafer

The Case of a Mysterious Wormy Thing

July 9, 2026

This is the third year in a row that I’ve noticed these seemingly unremarkable-looking brown beetles “hiking” along the rock pile 2-track road. They appear all at once, about mid-June, then vanish after several weeks. This year (2026) these scruffy/fuzzy beetles, know as Lanceolated Chafers (Phyllophaga lanceolata), really caught my attention, especially after finding myself at ground zero of a mass male Flash Mob¹ !!! From all directions, determined (and awkwardly) flying male chafers were dodging my legs to land on top of a lone female beetle frantically struggling against an earlier arriving male. His prickly lance-like legs had pinned her to the ground so she was lying on her side unable to use her legs. While she squirmed at my feet, newly landed beetles tried to fling off the original male to claim their rights to the female. Males continued to land until there must’ve been 30 or more, with fights breaking out everywhere, on top of the female and all around my feet. Each male was jousting to be victor.

But a victor of what? Was this some sort of mating ritual? Had the female released highly potent pheromones to attract a mate? If so, how far did her “call” drift on the wind to bring together so many males at one time? Did she intend to call only one male, or was her purpose to entice a stampede? If she anticipated a herd, was her intent to mate with the first one (the fastest?) to arrive? Maybe she hoped for battles and skirmishes to ensue, where the strongest of all males would win her favor(s)? This still remains a mystery, as I couldn’t find anything in the literature to explain this behavior?

While pondering these questions (and daring not to move my feet for fear of squishing one of the many male pile-ups), I bent over for a better look. It was then I noticed an opaque white, worm-like thing slowly emerging from the female’s abdomen! “What could this be?” …..

Was it a larva? Probably not ….. Female chafers don’t give live birth; they lay eggs in the soil beneath their favorite host plants (such as mallows), where they hatch into grubs that remain underground for up to two years before emerging as adult beetles.

Five males fighting for the female (notice how much larger she is than a male). Bit of a skirmish, left side.

Was it part of or the actual female genitalia? Maybe? I’m still searching for information about that notion.

Was it part of the male genitalia that had somehow broken off inside the female during insemination? Is that even possible? Again, still searching for answers about chafer sex.

Three males with the female (notice the “wormy” thing). One male, lower left, apparently confused?

For another 5 minutes I closely observed the squirming female laying helpless on the ground fighting off numerous suitors while still displaying the wormy “thing.” As more males continued to arrive, crash-landing on other grounded males and adding to the chaos, something changed. Can’t explain what happened, but in a matter of 15 seconds all the males stopped their aggressive fighting and took flight; the female uprighted herself (regaining her dignity?), quickly walking away like the nothing unusual had just happened. I watched her go, noticing she was no longer in possession of the wormy “thing,” and couldn’t find it anywhere at or near the scene!

The party is over. A male walking away, looking for a mallow to snack on.

After-math

Over the next several days, nary a chafer was found! Had all the males satisfied their natural desires? Had all the females become pregnant, laid their eggs and vanished? “After” doing the “math” on the days following the event, I counted only two beetles walking the 2-track road, one headed north — one headed south. Scouts? ….. Because Lanceolated Chafer adults only live 1-2 months, and because none have been seen since the last two, that may be the end of sightings for this year. While there’s still the occasional pack of ants dragging away a dead beetle to share with their colony, the legacy of adult chafers lives on. Recently-laid eggs will hatch after only 18 days into white or cream colored, C-shaped larvae. Those grubs will munch away on mallow and grass roots for the next 1-3 years until a perfectly warm mid-June day, sometime in the future, the adults emerge from the soil to complete their life cycle.

Epilogue

Since most chafer beetles are nocturnal (active at night), if you’ve seen an adult during the day, it may have been the Lanceolated species which are diurnal (active during the day). And you may have unwittingly encountered any of the chafer species found in North America…….

An exhausted male, a bit off balance, as he feeds on mallow leaves.

…….. If you’ve ever seen one or more of your carefully-tended, vigorously-growing garden plants up and die overnight, it may have been victimized by root-living chafer grubs.

…….. If you live in the central or eastern U.S., grubs may be feasting on the roots of agricultural crops, like corn, soy, or sunflowers. Headline news is sure to cover the story of devastation and financial ruin brought on by the voracious chafer beetle larvae, complete with video of farmers holding a handful of grubs dug from below the soil surface.

Have you experienced one of these close encounters?

Hope you’ve found the “Life and Times of the Lanceolated Chafer” interesting (or maybe educational, peculiar, or maybe even fascinating!?!). Let me know what you thought.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

¹ A flash mob is defined as a large group of people who suddenly assemble in a public place, perform a brief, pre-arranged action (like a synchronized dance), and then quickly disperse. Flash mobs are typically organized online via social media or viral messaging for entertainment or artistic expression. I think this definition nearly perfectly fits the chafer beetle dance I was witness to on that fine mid-June morning somewhere along the 2-track rock pile trail.

Scissor-billed Stork Stalker

July 1, 2026

Today’s tangled drawing was not inspired by a special day of the week or month. Instead I was smitten by a recent scissors-shaped discovery. It began with a desire to create a nature-themed action piece, like birds in flight. As I mentally rabbit-trailed the many possibilities, it seemed important to think of a reason why my birds were flying in the first place. Maybe they were fleeing something, but what? Being momentarily distracted while addressing an envelope, my mind took an exit ramp while considering the name of our return address town of Tijeras. Excitedly recalling that “Tijeras” is Spanish for “Scissors,” I nearly decided my birds would be scissor-tailed flycatchers — gorgeously graceful birds — but a tad too obvious? Regardless, the notion of “scissors” stuck in my brain. So I returned to my main rabbit trail with thoughts of fanciful, yet desperate birds fleeing a pair of big scissors!

**Zentangle patterns: Greenery Vibrant, Toku, Neb, Wind Farm, Rayz, Spangle**

Those totally irrational thoughts focused my internet search for “flying birds and scissors.” As I wasn’t terribly optimistic about finding any interesting results, imagine my shock when after only a few short moments of scrolling I shouted ….. “Bazinga!”

There, before my eyes, had to be one of the wonders of the world (and the answer to my flying-fleeing birds) ….. Stork Scissors! I never knew such a thing existed, but right then and there I began mentally designing and composing a tangled illustration of birds with scissors!

Of course I had to learn the why’s and what-for’s behind Stork Scissors and the use of such clever scissors in the shape of a stork who’s long bill actually forms the scissors’ blades. Here’s what I learned:

“Stork Scissors” (sometimes called crane or bird scissors) are used today as a classic sewing tool shaped like a bird. Even though they look decorative, those long, precise bird beak blades are very efficient for snipping tiny threads in embroidery and crafts.

But there’s oh so much more to the story.

It’s believed that the first Stork Scissors were used in the late 18th and early 19th centuries by midwives as medical clamps to stop blood flow in a newborn baby’s umbilical cord after birth. The original 4 – 6 inch long clamps were designed with a stork motif because of the bird’s folklore association with childbirth, good luck and hope. The head of the stork was mounted at a 45 degree angle and had a beak that was blunt and heavy. The handles looped to form the wings and body of the bird. Some clamps had an inlay of a little baby hidden inside the beak that appeared when opened. Also, Stork Scissors usually came with a set of forceps to help the midwife deliver the baby.

Once disposable clamps replaced them in the 1960s, the design of Stork Scissors as umbilical clamps began to change in shape and size. The 45 degree angle of the bird head was straightened so it aligned with the handle and the bird beak was sharpened into blades making the Stork Scissors an elegant and precision tool for sewing and needlework projects.

Fast forward to today ….. Since the vintage design was never copyrighted, charming and whimsical Stork Scissors have continued to be made under various brand names.

After checking various on-line sites for antique clamps (mostly EBay and Etsy) and modern scissor designs (Amazon, art supply stores), I found a wide range of prices. For $700, you can own a circa 1800s “stork midwife umbilical cord clamp” made of 800 sterling silver. Another antique sterling silver “stork bird clamp scissors” with baby inlay costs $300. Today’s versions, some highly rated, are mostly gold or brass color coated and may cost as little as $8.99 for a 2-pack.

Have you ever heard of Stork Scissors? If so, do you own a pair of vintage Stork Scissors or even a newly manufactured pair? Maybe you’re even a collector of Stork Scissors. Seems that’s a thing! Do you think today should be designated as National Stork Scissors Day? Maybe not ….. but for me, this was a fun story to share and tangle!

Happy July everyone!

Plains Beebalm – Page 12 .. The 100 Day Project (2026)

June 18, 2026

Plains Beebalm (Monarda pectinata Nutt. 1848)

aka Pony Beebalm

Etymology

Linnaeus named the genus Monarda to honor 16th century Spanish physician and botanist, Nicolás Bautista Monardes (1493-1588). Monardes never went to the Americas but was able to study medicinal plants in Spain, publishing the first systematic, in-depth book on medicinal plants and remedies brought to Europe from the Americas.

The species pectinata is derived from the Latin word pecten, meaning “comb.” The suffix -ata denotes possession or resemblance — so it translates loosely to “comb-like” or “having the form of a comb,” referring to the bristle-tipped bracts that sit below flower whorls.

Monarda pectinata is commonly called Plains Beebalm (or Pony Beebalm) because of its historically recorded uses by Indigenous peoples as an analgesic and antiseptic qualities.

Ethnobotanical and Culinary Uses

Indigenous peoples used a plant infusion to treat coughs, colds, fevers, and stomach complaints related to digestion. A flower infusion was used as a wash on insect bites and stings. The plant was rubbed on the head to bring relief from headache. In addition, historic records document that groups, such as the Kiowa, used Monarda pectinata leaves as a perfume due to its strong scent, and were chewed while traveling.

The strongly aromatic smell of crushed Plains Beebalm leaves smell both savory and citrusy, similar to oregano or lemon. Sometimes called “wild oregano,” they can be eaten fresh, dried or cooked to season in salads or other foods. In spring the leaves may be boiled to make herbal tea.

Plains Beebalm blooming in our yard, in bright sunshine and rocky soils.

Pollinators

According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, all Monarda species attract a number of native pollinators such as specialist bees, bumble bees, predatory wasps, hummingbirds, and hawk moths.

A Few Fun Facts

Desert Survivor: Although many Monarda species are moisture-loving, such as Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) found the along cool trails of Sandia Mountain, Plains Beebalm prefers hot, harsh, dry environments like desert washes, rocky slopes, and sandy pinyon-juniper woodlands.

Wild Bergamot and a little skipper pollinator. Tecolote Trail, Sandia Mountain, NM. This Monarda species prefers living in moist soils under the shady canopy of white fir and ponderosa pine.

Mammal Resistant: While pollinators adore Plains Beebalm, its strong, minty-citrusy-oregano essential oils act as a natural deterrent, making the plant resistant to browsing deer and rabbits.

Pollinator Magnet: The tubular pale pink flowers of Plains Beebalm are an excellent nectar source for long-tongued native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, especially during the hot summer months.

Soothing Relief: Plants in the Monarda genus are commonly called “Beebalm” due to the soothing nature a wash application of the plant, especially the flowers, has on insect bites and stings — particularly bee stings. Turns out plants in the genus contain the active ingredient thymol, a natural antiseptic found in modern mouthwashes.

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Hope you found this interesting!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

References

commons.wikimedia.org

yavapaiplants.extension.arizona.edu

Yanovsky, E., Food Plants of the North American Indians U.S. Department of Agriculture, Publication no. 237.

Happy (Belated)National New Mexico Day; Honoring Indigenous Peoples Everywhere

The Tale of the Tangled Pot: Recognizing our Deeply Rooted and Inseparable Connection with the Natural World Through the Practice of Nature Journaling

June 14, 2026

Zentangle patterns: Mogo, Sage, Roadrunner, Agave, Lazy Leaf, Monsoon, Zona, Voyage, Hokam (patterns created by Angie Gittles). Also added Hahna and Tentoculus. All patterns found on tanglepatterns.com

Living in the desert Southwest, inspiration for many of my Zentangle work comes from the representative art created by the indigenous peoples of New Mexico and the Four Corners region. Their deep connection with nature was often expressed in ancient rock art and on handcrafted pottery in ways that amaze. It takes me back to a different time and place; where their way of life was deeply rooted and inseparable from the natural world; where survival required an understanding and appreciation of the countless interdependent components required for the productive function and evolution of complex ecosystems.

Fast forward to today. Our fast-paced, stress-filled, consumer-centric lifestyles, full of techno-gadgets (demanding so much of our attention), and instant gratification, offers people a cushy arm-chair view of the world. Why put down those phones or turn off the TV, when we can safely and comfortably “witness” nature from our homes? Better yet, why not?

While pondering that question, many compelling reasons came so easily. Just being present in nature can be calming; relaxing; stress-reducing — we slow down, taking time to observe our natural surroundings. By really “seeing” local ecosystem(s) with all of our senses, we experience awe and wonder and make meaningful memories. Our once dormant skills in curiosity and critical thinking come alive as we learn about the integral connectedness of nature’s many and diverse components. By understanding and valuing how our connectedness to nature always has been and always will be critical not only to our very survival, but to the survival of all species, we realize the ability of all living things to thrive benefits from natural ecosystem services that provide things like clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, food to eat, and a habitable climate. These vital services are priceless. All nature asks is that we keep it healthy. First-hand personal exposure to the natural world fosters appreciation, love, and a desire to nurture and protect nature; an investment in the future of all life on Earth.

Observing the Natural World through the Practice of Nature Journaling

People have been observing, learning, and recording nature around the world for millennia. The oldest known cave art (pictographs) with paintings of wildlife, primitive humans, and human-bird hybrids hunting pigs, was discovered on an Indonesian island, and dates back almost 70,000 years. The oldest known rock carvings (petroglyphs), created by the Aborigines of Western Australia 40,000 – 50,000 years ago, depict wildlife and hunting parties. The oldest known petroglyphs found in North America were carved into boulders by still-unidentified humans that lived in the Winnemucca, NV area (east of Reno) between 10,000 and 14,800 years ago; their rock art represents leaves and trees. The oldest pictographs and petroglyphs found in New Mexico were made by Ancestral Puebloans and other Indigenous groups between 3,000 to 4,000 years ago in the Guadalupe Mountains/Carlsbad Region (southern NM) and depict hunting parties, wildlife and other natural elements.

The travelers, explorers and settlers that arrived in North America significantly influenced nature recording. They kept journals, field notes, and artistic renderings tracing a rich history of scientific inquiry and ecological changes spanning early colonial times to the formal natural history expeditions of the American West. For example, John Lawson (1709) and Mark Catesby (1731-1743), each published a book with their observations of the flora and fauna of the eastern colonial colonies (Catesby) and the southeast (Lawson). Extensive and diverse nature observations were recorded by all members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806), and by John James Audubon (1827-1838) with a focus on birds in their natural habitats. These and many more examples of “journaling nature” provided an understanding of the complex ecosystems that existed between two oceans, and was indispensable to the successful settling of North America.

Today’s Practice of Nature Journaling — paying attention, recording observations, asking questions, noticing changes, and reflecting on the natural world — is nearly identical to historical journaling practices, with some healthy advantages for mind and body. For example, Nature Journaling offers much needed mental, cognitive, and emotional relief, particularly important in today’s world. It also provides a screen-free way to reduce stress, encourage mindfulness, and sharpen observational and critical thinking skills. By intentionally immersing ourselves in nature — by being fully present — we can experience these benefits, and more. We find our place in nature by making connections and understanding how we are an integral and inseparable part of the environment around us.

“Walking” thoughtfully and gently in nature inspires us to nurture and protect what we are all part of, instilling in us a deep appreciation for the natural resources essential for the survival of our ancestors, as well as for our survival today and for future generations.

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Many thanks to Angie Gittles, a Certified Zentangle Teacher, for developing the step-outs to an abundance of patterns inspired by Indigenous Peoples of the Southwest. Her inspiration inspired me to weave 10 of her different designs into a stylized pot to honor and encourage such an important way of life. In doing so, I took my time, taking many deep breaths during the process, and thought about the days when appreciating and expressing nature was a natural way of living.

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Resources and a Few Important Tips

Whether you consider yourself a “Nature Journaler” and would like to learn more, or are interested in how to begin, there are countless resources and examples to refresh your skills or to get you started. Borrow a library book, such as Nature Drawing by Claire Walker Leslie, Keeping a Nature Journal by Leslie Roth, or Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir Laws.

To get started in journal sketching or to improve your skills, check out the following: Discovering the Art of Field Sketching by Kristin Link, Botanical Drawing using Graphite and Colored Pencil by Sue Vize, or The Artist’s Guide to Sketching by James Gurney and Thomas Kinkade.

Of course there hundreds of thousands of on-line resources and social media sites about Nature Journaling and related topics. But beware the pit trap ….. lest you get caught up in doom of perpetual scrolling, never to get a breath of fresh air in the light of day!

If you’re unsure about becoming a “Nature Journaler,” know that anyone can head to the woods, the backyard, or sit by a window. You don’t have to travel hundreds of miles to visit a National Park ….. nature is everywhere! All you need is a pencil and piece of paper, the curiosity to see what’s around you, and the desire to slow down and observe with all your senses. There’s no right or wrong way to journal in nature, but when you do, be fully present; take the time to really “see” your surroundings. Just committing to turning off your screens to nature journal for 5 minutes a day will be perfect for you!

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Hope you enjoyed my Tangled Pot. As I always do while nature journaling, when creating these kinds of Zentangle-inspired works, my automatic slow-down mode becomes engaged, allowing me to think about possible directions I can take to complete a page. Sometimes the path is direct, but more often a world of rabbit trails leading to deep holes opens up before me, and I gotta take the plunge. That’s exactly what happened while tangling the Pot. And that’s what got me thinking about— how our ancestors used to live in nature, how art represents nature— how nature is endlessly tangled up in life— how today’s values take a back seat to our crucial connections with nature—how nature journaling can be used as a tool to restore gratitude and appreciation for nature—how, without nature, life as we know it would not exist.

I’m going to turn off my computer now and go enjoy a walk in nature with my journal. Are you inspired to do the same?

Narrowleaf Puccoon – Page 10 .. The 100 Day Project (2026)

May 25, 2026

Narrowleaf Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum)

Etymology

Lithospermum, the genus named by Linnaeus in 1753, is Greek for stone (“Lithos”) and seed (“sperma”), referring to the hard nutlets. And “incisum,” the Latin species name referring to the incised, fringed edges of the trumpet flowers, was named by Lehman (a German botanist) in 1818 from a specimen collected “near the rapids of the Ohio” by Andre Michaux (a French botanist and explorer) in 1802.

Puccoon evolved from “poughkone,” a word the Virginia Algonquian language used for plants whose roots yield a red or yellow pigment. The roots of Narrowleaf Puccoon were historically used as dyes ranging from purple to red to yellow.

A Two-Flower Strategy

Very showy and quite lovely, the sunshine yellow trumpet-shaped flowers of Narrowleaf Puccoon are hard to miss. They often cluster at the ends of 12-20” long stems where the floral tube is ringed by five frilly petal lobes. The flowers depend on pollinators like butterflies for cross-pollination which adds genetic diversity to the few seeds they produce. Botanically speaking, these traditional, open flowers with exposed reproductive parts are referred to as Chasmogamous.

Then later in the season, the Narrowleaf Puccoon produces small, petal-less flowers that remain tightly closed. These highly fertile, self-pollinating flowers account for almost all of the plant’s seed production. Botanists refer to this type of closed, often inconspicuous flower as Cleistogamous.

The“Stone Seed” Fruit

Because Narrowleaf Puccoon only produces the occasional fruit from its showy flowers, it takes a bit of searching around the plant’s lower leaf axils to locate a tiny group of up to four hard “stone seed” nutlets. Beginning growth inside the self-fertile, closed (Cleistogamous) flowers that are present late in the season, each egg-shaped nutlet, pitted across the surface, ripens to a shiny white.

Plant Propagation

Seed Germination – To grow Narrowleaf Puccoon from seed, nutlets should be collected in late summer. Soak them overnight in hot water then plant immediately. Because seed germination is sporadic and often disappointing, selecting a desirable location for planting is important. The plant grows best in very sandy, well drained soils found in the dry/open areas within our pinyon/juniper woodlands (though they do grow in soils with some loam or clay).

Shiny white nutlets with Penny for size
Photo edited from a post by
A Wandering Botanist

Root Cutting – A more successful method may be to take a 2-inch cutting of the taproot in the fall. Dip the cutting in a root stimulant and plant in a desirable location.

Suggestions for root stimulants

Powdered Hormones: Highly cost-effective, have a long shelf life and easy to use. After you moisten the root cutting, just dip it directly into the powder (e.g., Garden Safe TakeRoot) and plant.
Natural/DIY Options: Raw aloe vera gel and crushed, uncoated aspirin both contain natural growth-promoting enzymes. You can also use diluted willow bark extract, which is naturally rich in rooting hormones.

Plant Care – Narrowleaf Puccoon requires full sun and very little water, making it a good plant for xeric gardens or included with other native plants to establish a wildflower meadow.

Photo taken early May 2026 along the Entranosa access road

Medicinal Properties and a Cautionary Note

The Navajo chewed the root of Narrowleaf Puccoon for coughs and colds. They, and the Zuni rubbed the plant’s finely powdered leaves, root and stem on the body to treat paralyzed limbs. An infusion of the root was used for stomach aches and kidney problems. The plant was eaten as an oral contraceptive, and a cold infusion of the pulverized root and seed was used as an eyewash.

Although Narrowleaf Puccoon does have medicinal properties, it contains potentially toxic alkaloids. Self-treatment involving this plant is strongly discouraged.

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If you’ve seen Narrowleaf Puccoon, did you find their highly fertile, tightly closed flowers and/or the shiny white nutlets? Have you tried growing the plant from seed or root cuttings, and were you successful?

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Happy Memorial Day!

References

backyardnature.net

iNaturalist.org

minnesotawildflowers.info

openprairie.sdstate.edu

swcoloradowildflowers.com

visitsfbg.org

wildflower.org

Western Meadowlark – Page 8 .. The 100 Day Project (2026)

May 4, 2026

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

When male meadowlarks return to the grassy meadow north of the old rusty water tank and begin singing, you know it’s Spring!

There’s something wonderful about his song ……. At first he stutters a few practice notes; rough and rusty like the old water tank. But as daylight lengthens and temperatures warm, his song grows long, strong and melodic. Having perfected that signature song, he sings intently from sunrise to sunset, defending his territorial boundaries against all invaders. And he sings lovingly to announce his breeding readiness, enticing not just one, but two female meadowlarks to mate with him.

While walking the perimeter of the meadow in mid-April, it was easy to hear a male singing at the top of his lungs about 1/4 mile away. After a few moments scanning the tops of the widely scattered juniper trees with binoculars, I spotted him. (Males seem to favor these trees as perches, perhaps because they get a great view of their territory, and their voices really carry!) Able to get only 50 yards closer, I managed to take a few telephoto pics before he flew to the top of another juniper. Western meadowlarks are very skittish around people, so I held my ground and just watched and listened. It was a wonderful encounter.

Below are a few more fun facts about Western Meadowlarks, in addition to those on my illustrated page ….

If you’re lucky to see a Western Meadowlark, you’ll notice they’re a robin-sized bird but chunkier and with a shorter tail. Their flat head and long, slender bill are visible above a round-shouldered posture that nearly conceals its neck. They have short rounded wings, and a short, stiff, and spiky tail.

When flushed, Western Meadowlarks fly low, wings below the horizontal, gliding and flapping with short, stiff, quail-like wingbeats.

Other than perching on tall trees, don’t be surprised to find males singing from atop fence posts, bushes, power lines, and anything higher than their surrounding habitat.

John James Audubon gave the Western Meadowlark its scientific name, Sturnella neglecta; Sturnella meaning “starling-like,” and neglecta because he felt most explorers (after Lewis and Clark) and settlers who traveled west of the Mississippi overlooked this common bird.

The oldest recorded Western Meadowlark was at least 6 years, 6 months old when it was found in Colorado in 1965.

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When was the last time you went Birding? Meadowlarks are calling!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

References: allaboutbirds.org and inaturalist.org

Perky Sue – Page 7 .. The 100 Day Project (2026)

April 29, 2026

Perky Sue (Tetraneuris argentea)

Perky Sue has to be the happiest little sunflower on planet Earth!

“Is it because Perky Sue is an early spring bloomer, it’s smiling face opening in mid- to late March? Maybe it’s how those brilliant yellow flowers climb above fields of drab, dry grasses to brighten the landscape? Perhaps it’s those tall, soft and silky flower stems that dance with wild abandon to the music of our spring breezes?”

No matter why Perky Sue always brings smiles, you can’t deny that encountering a blooming bunch makes you instantly happy!

Look for these stunning sunflowers in the open areas scattered throughout and adjacent to the subdivision. Separate the dried grass and discover the soft sage-colored, spatula-shaped leaves densely clustered at ground level. Remember this spot and return every Spring to watch our grassy meadows awaken with dazzling yellow sunshine.

Did You Know ………………. ?

When you encounter Perky Sue (or most any other sunflower) take a close-up look at one of it’s flowers. What you’re actually seeing is a collection of tiny flowers (florets). The most numerous type of floret lies within the face or center of the flower head (these are the disc florets). But you may be surprised to learn there’s a second type of floret often thought of as the sunflower’s petals (called the ray florets).

The Sunflower Face

The face or central part of the flower head is called a disc; the individual flowers, the disc florets, are arranged in clockwise and counterclockwise spirals. Look close and notice each floret has five distinctly flared petal lobes attached to a fused floral tube (which together form the corolla). Each floret is fertile, having both male (staminate) and female (pistillate) organs, able to produce pollen and seeds.

The Sunflower “Petals”

Radiating out from the disc like the rays of the Sun is a showy ring (or multiple rings) of what looks like flower “petals.” However, each “petal” is a single ray floret ‎consisting of a single strap-shaped flower (ligule) of five fused petals (corolla) that form a tube at the base. In Perky Sue and some other sunflowers, the ray florets are pistillate. But in the majority of species the ray florets are sterile.

The Sunflower “Landing Pad”

Sunflowers have one of the most highly evolved “flowers” in the plant kingdom. To maximize their visual attraction to pollinators, the ray florets became large showy structures that act as a “landing pad” for bees and other pollinators. When they “touch down” they are immediately drawn along the ligule to the bountiful pollen supply of the disc florets. Large pollinators also use the ligules of ray florets as a supporting platform to balance and feed from the disc florets’ floral tubes. So, ray florets evolved to increase the pollination success of the fertile disc florets at the center of the sunflower. And in the case of Perky Sue, insects carrying pollen as they fl to other “landing pads” increase the pollination of the pistillate ray florets.

Want to Learn More?

The biology of sunflowers is a fascinating subject, and I’ve spent many hours researching and illustrating their intricate parts and pieces, and how they work. If you’d like to learn more, check out these detailed posts I put together in the summer of 2023:

Geeking Out …… Total Bliss ….. Sunflowers!

Cypsela! The Sunflower Seed

…. and for a bit more about Perky Sue, get more here from my summer 2024 post

Perky Sue!

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Does Perky Sue bloom in your neighborhood?

Have you ever taken a close look at its flower head or inspected the florets of another sunflower species?

What did you see?

Hope you enjoyed this page of my field guide. I’d love to know if you found the information new and/or inspired you to check out the details of your local sunflowers.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

References

inaturalist.org

swbiodiversity.org

deercanyonfolks.org