This one is the 3rd piece with the Amazing Dance Prodigy Rachael Arnwine.

This piece was created using only my own original photos; and started with a shot of this swan with nothing else around it… I layered in 2 different photos of koi I shot, and Rachael… then hand drew the wings and “fairy dust”…then layered in several photos of flowers on the water and over the swan’s body and head…… yes…. tons of time!

I hope you DIG IT!

SWAN WALTZ
By: Dale Crum

The emerald lake was fully aflame… in brilliant noonday crystalline shimmers
All the tiny creatures had long since lain down… for a midday summer’s silent snooze
Xavier arose in rich regal auspicious attire… shook the slumber from his snow kissed plumage
Arching his long significant curvaceous neck for all of his kingdom to witness his splendor
Then at the quiet water’s ebbing edge he slowly sipped and sipped and raised his wise head high
Looking out across his cool green watery domain… then silently slipped afloat to launch adrift
Amid his quiet mossy lilied land; where he alone displayed such eminent swimming prowess
In that all too profoundly churning waltz of rituals conjuring up a great grand legendary past
To then abruptly flap and slap the waters hard with mighty wings to summon a summer summit
For in the full glowing blue moon of the previous midnight clear… he had heard good tidings
From the flaming orbs of the one wisest midnight ruler or the blue-green hours of deepest darkness
For from afar didst the Great Horned Owl Otis swoop down with a most urgent message of hope
Of the long awaited anticipated arrival…of that newest youngest scarlet fairy princess to be
The creatures gathered with an overflowing excited exuberance for such a grand encounter as this
Softly as a snow gooses down and fragile as a snowflake in July she did light upon Xavier’s back
Princess Rachael sweetly bejeweled in majesty and magically adorned in glistening breaths of light
Her ruby tresses flowing as rippling red falls of raspberry wine above sparkling luminous wings aglow
Kindnesses and blessings did generously twinkle forth to all the creatures here below
As with joyous generosity she didst bestow upon the emerald lake her bountiful kind offerings
Thus it all began… the deep legends and loving lore of wondrous tales of Xavier’s Emerald Swan Lake
Of Precious Princess Rachael and her soon to arrive fair ruby-haired gentle sister Princess Ashleigh
Their sweet adventurous stories have long since been softly whispered in tiny yawning ears
To ever-so gently nudge rosy cheeked drowsy babes adrift upon the undulating green waves
As mommy kisses and twirls of silken baby hair send the blessed children off to precious slumber
There to kindly dream amid the drone of dragonfly wings with Pixy JUJU drumming her magical rhythms
Tippety tapping upon her vast collection of acorn hulls, walnuts, long-past snails, and turtle’s shells
Setting the beat for the Princess Sisters; and all the creatures to do what they do to dance as they do
Koi tales popping and bullfrogs croaking out the lowest notes; as clicking crickets and goldfinch chirps
Harmoniously blending in to become the peaceful symphony; all too oft neglected lovely sounds of nature
So sit ye down awhile upon the hand-hewn bench neath the drifting willow wisps and close your weary eyes
Tis here ye find that peace forgotten from the calling current of things desired and the funds to own the more
Be still O humans from the bustle and the ever grinding hustle… be free to sit and listen close
For here ye hear… what ye need the most.