What a wonderful afternoon at Lily's in beautiful Idyllwild, where art, community, and conservation came together in the mountains.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to Lily's for the invitation and to the incredible staff for making everyone feel so welcome. Your hospitality and generosity created the perfect setting for a memorable afternoon of art, conversation, and community.

A special thank you goes to Linda Baranek for organizing this event and helping make it such a success. Your hard work brought together artists and visitors for a truly enjoyable day.

It was also a pleasure sharing the lower deck with my fellow Hemet Valley Art Association artists. Spending the afternoon together, sharing stories, supporting one another, and enjoying each other's company reminded me how fortunate I am to be part of such a talented and welcoming art community.

One of the highlights for me was meeting so many wonderful people who stopped by to talk about hummingbirds. Hearing your personal stories, learning about your favorite species, and seeing the excitement these incredible birds bring to so many people was truly inspiring. Whether you came to pick up a signed copy of Endangered Hummingbirds: Seeing the Crisis Through My Lens, browse my photography, or simply share your love of hummingbirds, I genuinely appreciated every conversation.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support local artists, the Hemet Valley Art Association, and this wonderful event. Your encouragement and enthusiasm mean more than you know.

Events like these are about so much more than books and photography. They are an opportunity to bring people together through a shared appreciation for nature, art, and community, while allowing every book, print, note card, and enamel pin to become more than a keepsake. Each one helps raise awareness and invites its new owner to become part of the growing effort to conserve hummingbirds and the habitats they depend on.

Thank you for being part of that mission. I look forward to seeing many of you again soon.

Event Details

📍 Lily's
Idyllwild, California

📅 Sunday, August 2, 2026

🕑 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🎨 Special Art Event supporting the Hemet Valley Art Association

📚 Featured: Endangered Hummingbirds: Seeing the Crisis Through My Lens, hummingbird photography, note cards, enamel pins, and conservation merchandise.