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Guam 2020: Post 17 Camping at Tarague Beach Part 4 - Painting Butterflies

Sunday morning I woke up really wanting to draw and paint something about the Blue-banded King Crow butterfly and its environment.  It was rainy and for a good while most of us stayed in the shelter.

Breakfast was pancakes and eggs or tofu.  I got some tofu and was sure I would enjoy the meal, but was surprised to find that the tofu was scrambled in a lot of the same slimy, strong, oil, that same that the corn soup had been made with.  I almost couldn't eat it.  I've never had oily tofu before and was so disappointed because tofu has enough moisture that there is no need to use oil when cooking it.  Just add good seasonings and stir.




Pathfinders spent the morning working on classwork and camping skills.  I sent Rob on a walk.  He begged me to go too, but I was planning on some art time in nature.  I went to one of the bushes covered with butterflies and started drawing.  Some flew away, but some sat there completely still for me to draw.

Here is a link to a video of the Blue-banded King Crow Butterflies in action.  It will give you more of an idea of the sounds of the waves and the breeze and the movement of where I was sitting.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOVXtlBX6Z1p9ojAZMO8x9m_zh2RdN5hckqPABI




I drew a clump of leaves on the live bush, and some of the dead leaves with two of the butterflies.  On the other side of the bush was the ocean.  I could hear the waves pulsing.  I could feel the warm sun and the gentle breeze.  What a happy place for me.  After I finished that part of my drawing, I painted it right there, while looking at what I had just drawn.  Then I moved to where I was directly in front of the water and drew the rocks and waves.





The sun started to get really hot.  Rob came back and got all concerned about me.  He made me move into the shade.  That was probably a good idea, but it is hard to interrupt good flow.  Drawing in nature is one of the most peaceful ways to de-stress that I know about.  There are few things more fun than studying a butterfly and the ocean so well that you can draw it on the page, and then doing your best to fill in the colors that you see.  I learn so much every time I can draw in nature right as I see it, but I also hope to paint the butterflies and the ocean in studio when I can pay more attention to detail.



When I was finished I went back to the shelter and talked with people.  Dennis was pulling coconuts out of a tree with a long pole with a hook on the end.  I asked if I could have a green coconut to drink and in a little while a boy brought me one.  People were sharing the coconut meat.  Some people love it and others don't.  I like it and pretty soon I had my fill of fresh coconut meat and was happily satisfied with a full tummy.




Good thing I filled up, because lunch was all gluten.  Spaghetti and garlic bread, macaroni salad, and Big Frank sandwiches.  Not a bit of the food worked me or Rob, except the orange wedges. Oh well.  I do like coconut.











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