While vacationing in Newfoundland last year, my sister Amy and I spent a night in the lovely town of Woody Point, located in Gros Morne National Park.  

While normally a laid back kind of place, a few weeks prior to our visit, Woody Point (and neighbouring town Trout River) received worldwide media attention when a 25-meter dead blue whale was found on the beach in Trout River. Tragically, the death was attributed to the whale becoming trapped in the ice.  

Many of you likely remember seeing this story on the news. 

According to a ROM magazine article:
"Gases released by decomposition of the now long- dead Blue inflated the carcass like a balloon to the point that people were concerned it would explode. The story made headlines around the world, and even led to a sketch on Saturday Night Live about an exploding whale amidst revelers at a bikini beach party. " 
Click here to check out the SNL sketch.

Fortunately, no such explosion materialized.  The whale was eventually towed from Trout River to Woody Point - after which it was transported to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto. 

Check out "Blue Whale Recovery", an excellent article from ROM Magazine if you are interested in more information about this story.  

Till next time! Kathy

Meet Bear.  Despite his small package, he has earned his name.  His owner Nicole shared the following anecdote about this handsome fella:

"Growing up in rural Texas then moving on to California, Bear is a natural outdoorsmen.  He loves patrolling the yard and chasing big game (like deer or his big brother Hugo).  He is a sweet boy who is very caring about his family of people and dogs.  Even though he is the smallest and youngest dog of the pack, he is by far the bossiest.  We love our Bear and sharing each day together.  He brings so much joy."

Nicole - thanks so much for sharing your story!

After unintentionally taking the month of February off (thanks to a nasty flu) - it felt great to be back at the easel.  I mixed it up today - moving from pets back to landscapes.  

The first painting (Sun versus Cloud) was inspired by a photo I took at Springbank Park in London on an early October morning. I was drawn to this landscape because of the way the sun hit the tops of the trees.

My second painting takes me back to my home town roots - taken in St. Mary's Ontario at the flats.  This historic bridge, known as the "Sarnia Bridge", dates way back to 1858.  Part of the Grand Trunk Railway, this line headed west towards Sarnia, Ontario.  While no longer an active railway - the bridge was part of a revitalization to create St. Mary's beautiful Grand Trunk Trail.  I took this photo on a hot August day when my mom and I were doing our annual "photo" shoot for our homemade pet calendars.