Arbor Day began with a morning bird walk guided by the Black Hills Audubon Society. Two groups covered the woods and fields and spotted Red-tailed hawks, Eurasian collared doves, Red-headed sapsucker, Red-shafted flickers, and a variety of other birds (many heard, but not seen).
“The Philosopher”–a sculpture by Mercer Island artist Kevin Au was part of the Percival Plinth project and on display by the Olympia Arts Commission. Au donated the sculpture to the city and it was installed at the east entrance of the LBA Woods last weekend.
“I have chosen to build the ‘Philosopher’ to promote the idea of reasoning as a balance to acting out of raw emotion. When we are challenged with an emotional event, might it be anger, sadness, or happiness, if we can pause, ponder and seek enlightenment, we shall all feel better and our outcomes most likely will improve. The “Philosopher” is one of my more abstract sculptures. It is column like and simulates a standing person. The head is tilted. One can interpret it as looking up and glazing to the future, or looking down contemplating the present. The body has the arms folded in front or held to the back. It is twisted as if it is glancing back towards the past.” (from comments delivered by sculptor Kevin Au ,here with his wife, Daphne, during the dedication of his sculpture.)
Volunteer make quick work of this stewardship project–planting dozens of native trees and understory shrubs in LBA Park near the entrance to the woods.
Wagner’s Bakery provided the perfect Arbor Day snack.
Ben Thompson of WA Department of Natural Resources, Urban Forestry, shared his tree-pruning wisdom and techniques.
Ben Thompson of WA DNR Urban Forestry, Steve Hall (City Manger), Shelley Bentley (Urban Forestry), Jonathon Turlove (Olympia Parks), and Nathaniel Jones City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem.