Sketching Under the Oaks and Woodpecker Sightings at Santee Coastal Reserve WMA Feb 2014

The recent "polar vortex"and ice storm caused downed trees and limbs among the habitats at Santee Coastal Reserve WMA. The staff has been busy restoring the wildlife management area (WMA) to it's pre-storm condition.


"Smoke, Light and Shadows"
charcoal/pastel on paper
11"x14"

My drawing today, depicts burning debris in a clearing near an avenue of live oaks. The lengthening rays of the setting sun cause interesting patterns of light and shadow through the smoke…

A Pileated Woodpecker landed on a branch above me
while I sketched
at Santee Coastal Reserve WMA
As I sketched, a large pileated woodpecker landed on a low hanging branch over my head. Suddenly bark chips rained down on me from the bird's energetic efforts to dislodge insects from the branch. In full battle mode, I withstood the flying debris to aim my camera skyward and take reference photos of the moment. 

The sight of a male Downy Woodpecker landing nearby searching for food
made my afternoon painting at Santee Coastal even more memorable
A few minutes later, a soft chirping alerted me to the presence of another woodpecker nearby - a male Downy Woodpecker had flown to the tree directly behind my sketching spot. This smaller bird was a bit more wary of my presence, but still provided a few nice photos of his evening's activity looking for food. Both bird encounters have provided inspiration for future paintings.

Paintings and Drawings of the Santee Coastal Reserve by Katherine Schneider on View at the Santee Gun Club

Paintings and drawings by Katherine Schneider
of the Santee Coastal Reserve
on display in the historic Santee Gun Club House
2014
Recent artwork of the Santee Coastal WMA by Katherine Schneider is on display at the historic Santee Gun Clubhouse. The works created onsite over the past year include paintings and drawings of the diverse habitats and wildlife in the SCWMA and the Santee Delta.



Katherine Schneider and her painting "Shifting Shadows"
created on location at Santee Coastal Reserve
February 2014
The artwork has been created and displayed to promote conservation awareness and appreciation of the Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area a diverse ecosystem made up of 24,000 acres "including a variety of habitats including upland forests, freshwater, brackish and tidal wetlands and agricultural fields.



The property is composed of Murphy Island, Cedar Island, The Cape, Washo Reserve and adjacent upland habitats. Murphy Island, Cedar Island and The Cape are former rice fields managed for the benefit of breeding migratory and wintering waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on Murphy and Cedar Islands.




The exhibit "From Dawn to Dusk: Paintings and Drawings of the Santee Coastal Reserve" on view through May 11, 2015 at the Santee Coastal Reserve Clubhouse, 210 Santee Gun Club Rd. McClellanville, SC. Phone (843) 546-6062.