Wednesday, March 18, 2009

When the swallows come back to Capistrano


The Mission of San Juan Capistrano de Sajavit, the seventh in the California mission chain, was dedicated on November 1, 1776. Around March 19, the feast of St. Joseph, thousands of swallows have for years visited the area in route from wintering in Argentina to summering in California's agricultural valleys.

Unfortunately, recent restoration of the mission has prompted the birds to find homes in the parking lot across the street. Ornithologists are hoping that, when construction is completed, the swallows will once again return to their historic roosts in the bell tower and grounds of the mission itself.

I "reconstructed" this mission with a variety of overdyes, including Caron Watercolors and The Thread Gatherer's Sheep's Silk, along with DMC floss and perle cotton. There are lots of French knots in this one!

2 comments:

Possibilities, Etc. said...

and I hear "Las Golondrinas" in the background. what a beauty this one is!! you are amazing - and I love the history included.

Front Range Stitcher said...

You're right, lots of French knots, besides the flowering bushes, the tree is also full of them. Nice job!