Page Springs Hatchery, an oasis along Oak Creek’s riparian corridor, offered our plein air painters cool shade in the scorching pre-monsoon heat. The “show pond” harbors a seething mass of trout that Ed teased with handfuls of trout snacks, available for purchase from the little vending machines. The thick fragrance (or reek) of fish, honeysuckle, and pond water filled the air, and a zillion buzzing bees sipped from an enormous butterfly bush that dropped tiny purple blossoms onto our hats.
Mike painted the pond and its overhanding sycamores, while at the other end, Gail and Tecla had a bird’s eye view of the teeming trout feeding in the shade under the observation platform.
Eileen, Suzie and I took advantage of a nice bench overlooking the creek cutting its way through the shallows.
Ed, Janelle (amid yellow Columbines), Nita, Betty, Carolyn, Pete and LeAnn all walked farther downstream to a lovely spot on the sandy bank.
With temps threatening to send the mercury soaring to well over 100 we decided to take advantage of the deep shade and cool creek side for next week.
Tuesday Plein Air Group 
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