On the way

I was awarded an artist in residency at Acadia National Park for two weeks, October 23-November 6th. The excitement and anticipation have been bubbling and rumbling since I received the news earlier this year.  I flew in to Albany to visit my mom and then headed up to Maine.  Yesterday I stopped at the Maine Wildlife Park to work on my Captivity series.  Every time I cry.  I try and be open minded about what each wildlife park and zoo is trying to accomplish.  But when I see a bald eagle that is in a cage too small to extend its wings for more than a moment of flight, or two barred owls characterized as shy and solitary on the information sign displayed in their pen on tree limbs with no place to hide, I question the park's role as stewards and protectors.  The park grounds are spacious for picnic groups and concerts but I am continually surprised at the size of the enclosures, a bobcat pacing back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

Golden Eagle behind glass

 

Fisher

 

Skunk

Raccoon

Opossum

Barred Owls

 Bobcat

Red Tail Hawk

Gate

mom

Bait

Slicker

in passing

she sleeps stretched out flat
on cool hard slate
she whimpers
her tail lifts and thumps briefly on the floor
her desires  are revealed in her dreams

Obituary for the grasshopper

Another little life lost yesterday in Lucy's outdoor water bowl. It sank to the bottom of the bowl.  Grasshoppers only live three to five months. I'm marking its death, its fantastic and beautiful structure.