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Paula Borchardt

@paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

mastodon 4.7.3

I'm a visual storyteller—I love to combine my art 🎨 and words to tell stories. I enjoy working in a serial format and my favorite subject matter is natural history 🌵.

Other interests include clean energy 🌞, comics 💬, music 🎵 & science fiction 🖖. Pronouns: she/her.

0 Followers

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21 Posts

Joined November 20, 2022

Website:

https://www.paulaborchardt.com/

Blog & Free Email Newsletter:

https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/

YouTube (Art Process Videos):

https://www.youtube.com/@PaulaBorchardt

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 7mo ago

Boosted by @ferrix@mastodon.online

Here's some GREAT news: the first kākāpō chick in four years hatched on Valentine's Day! Kākāpō are nocturnal, flightless parrots that are endemic to New Zealand and are critically endangered. Only 236 adult kākāpō are alive today, so every chick is a milestone for the species! https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2026-media-releases/first-kakapo-chick-in-four-years-hatches-on-valentines-day #Kakapo #NewZealand #bird #birds #birding #BirdsOfMastodon

doc.govt.nz

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Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 2mo ago

I keep a Perpetual Journal; here are my entries from 1, 2 & 3 yrs ago this week: a spotted Red Velvet Mite; Long-tailed Antlion; Plume Moth; Black-headed Grosbeak. In ‘26 I’ve seen only solid RVMs; 1 L-tA; a few PMs & no B-h Gs. #SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #Tucson #SonoranDesert #biodiversity #environment #ecology #nature #insect #arthropod #bug #bugs #bugstodon #moth #MiteMonday #bird #birding #BirdsOfMastodon #Grosbeak

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 2mo ago

I keep a Perpetual Journal; here are my entries from 1, 2 & 3 years ago this week: Pincushion Cactus & Chihuahuan Sage in bloom; Pyrrhuloxia. In ‘26 our Pincushion Cacti & Chi. Sage bloomed this past week from recent rains but I haven’t seen a Pyrrhuloxia. #SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #SonoranDesert #biodiversity #environment #nature #cactus #bird #birding #BirdsOfMastodon #Pyrrhuloxia #flower #wildflower #BloomScrolling

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 3mo ago

I keep a Perpetual Journal; here are my entries from my yard 1, 2 & 3 years ago this week: Bloomed out Queen Victoria Agave stalk; insect egg cluster; Velvet Mesquite seedpods turning red. In '26 more Agaves are blooming & our Velvet Mesquite seedpods turned red mid-June. #SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #environment #ecology #nature #tree #mesquite #seedpod #insect #Agave

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 2mo ago

I keep a Perpetual Journal; here are my entries from 1, 2 & 3 years ago this week: organic local produce; 9 Saguaro seedlings; Palo Verde seedlings. We donated our baby Saguaros to a local enviro. non-profit & now we’re just starting to see little PV seedlings. #SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #environment #nature #tree #PaloVerde #cactus #Saguaro #fruit #peach #garlic #tomato

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 5mo ago

Here’s the 8th page of my new art project, an Illustrated Journal—my art & notes celebrating the little things in everyday life, like watching the ISS, counting chrysalises & seeing Raccoon tracks! See more on my blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/lots-and-lots-of-chrysalises

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #nature #outdoors #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #environment #ecology #flower #wildflower #BloomScrolling #poppy #bug #bugs #bugstodon #butterfly #pupa #chrysalis #ISS #Raccoon

paulaborchardt.substack.com

Lots and LOTS of Chrysalises

—and I Finished Another Illustrated Journal Page!

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 7mo ago

1 of the joys of keeping a Perpetual Journal is seeing what happened this week in previous years. Here’s my PJ art of Tucson nature observations 1, 2 & 3 years ago this week. In ‘23 we got snow. In ‘26 the temp’s been over 90°!

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #environment #ecology #nature #ClimateChange #climate #cactus #PricklyPear #flower #wildflower #BloomScrolling #Mouse

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 6mo ago

Who doesn’t like Lichen? Hopefully you’re not raising your hand! Here’s my art of lichen seen while hiking in Alaska & California. Read more on my blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/im-likin-lichen

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #blog #blogging #biodiversity #environment #ecosystem #ecology #nature #outdoors #lichen #LichenSubscribe #Mosstodon #Alaska #California #NationalPark #Denali #DenaliNationalPark #Sequoia #SequoiaNationalPark

paulaborchardt.substack.com

I’m Likin’ Lichen!

—and I’m Taking Another Art Class

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 6mo ago

2/2: Many of our Spring wildflowers started blooming in January & February this year, including this Lupine I illustrated in my Perpetual Journal. Read more on my blog https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/mid-winter-flowers

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #environment #ecosystem #ecology #nature #outdoors #ClimateChange #climate #flower #wildflower #Lupine #BloomScrolling #Spring

paulaborchardt.substack.com

Mid-Winter Flowers

—that Should Be Early Spring Flowers

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 5mo ago

Our Penstemon (illustrated here for my Perpetual Journal) have gone to seed & I just harvested & spread 100s of the seeds around our Tucson, AZ yard. 🌸😍 Read more on my recent blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/pretty-pink-penstemon-petals

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #environment #ecosystem #ecology #nature #outdoors #flower #wildflower #BloomScrolling #Penstemon #Spring

paulaborchardt.substack.com

Pretty Pink Penstemon Petals

(Am I Always About Alliteration?*)

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 6mo ago

1/2: Many of our Spring wildflowers started blooming in January & February this year, including this Mexican Poppy I illustrated in my Perpetual Journal. Read more on my blog https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/mid-winter-flowers

paulaborchardt.substack.com

Mid-Winter Flowers

—that Should Be Early Spring Flowers

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 5mo ago

Woolly Star is a small (7mm) but lovely lavender flower that grows in groups in our Tucson, AZ yard in Spring. Here’s one I illustrated for my Perpetual Journal, drawn about 6x life size. 😃 Read more on my latest blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/twice-as-nice-two-types-of-spring

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #environment #ecology #nature #outdoors #flower #wildflower #BloomScrolling #Spring

paulaborchardt.substack.com

Twice as Nice: Two Types of Spring Wildflowers

—and a Vague Sense of Déjà Vu

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 8mo ago

For #SuperbOwl Sunday, here’s my Perpetual Journal art of 2 very superb owls: 2 Great Horned Owls calling back & forth (duetting) along with a Cooper’s Hawk & a small Mexican Poppy plant.

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #environment #ecosystem #ecology #nature #outdoors #poppy #bird #birds #birding #BirdsOfMastodon #birdsong #hawk #CoopersHawk #Owl #GreatHornedOwl

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 8mo ago

We’ve seen Fall foliage & Spring wildflowers this Winter in Tucson! Here’s my Perpetual Journal art of blooming Brittlebush. We attribute our early flowers to record heat, Dec.’25. Read more @ my latest blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/fall-foliage-and-spring-wildflowersin

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #environment #nature #ClimateChange #climate #Brittlebush #flower #wildflower #BloomScrolling

paulaborchardt.substack.com

Fall Foliage and Spring Wildflowers—in Winter?!

—with Some Weather Observations

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 3mo ago

In honor of U.S. Independence Day, I decided to re-read the Declaration of Independence. This is well worth a read - these are powerful words that are as important and relevant now as when they were written 250 years ago. Here’s just a section of it; you can read the entire text at https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript (and be sure to vote this Fall!). #IndependenceDay #4thofJuly #July4 #July4th #USElections #vote #VoteBlue #GetOutTheVote #GOTV

Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

National Archives

Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum). The spelling and punctuation reflect the original.

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 5mo ago

Earlier this year we had over 30 Queen Butterflies eclose in our yard! 😍 Here’s my Perpetual Journal art chronicling this excitement! I also posted 3 Butterfly success stories with photos on my blog https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/lots-and-lots-of-queen-butterflies

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #biodiversity #environment #ecosystem #ecology #nature #insect #arthropod #entomology #bug #bugs #bugstodon #butterfly

paulaborchardt.substack.com

Lots and LOTS of Queen Butterflies

—and Three Butterfly Success Stories!

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 7mo ago

Sometimes we see mammal/bird/reptile/arthropod visitors in our yard & other times we only see evidence of their visits like tracks or hearing bird song or using our sense of smell! Here’s a Javelina track I illustrated in my Perpetual Journal. Read more on my latest blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/a-red-tailed-hawk-and-a-javelina

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #blog #blogging #Tucson #SonoranDesert #biodiversity #environment #nature #Javelina

paulaborchardt.substack.com

A Red-tailed Hawk and a Javelina

—and Signs of Yard Visitors

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 8mo ago

Here’s my recent Perpetual Journal watercolor art of rain clouds floating over the Catalina Mountains, Tucson, AZ. You can read about my art process & see a photo of some cool clouds on my latest blog post https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/rain-clouds-and-dark-storm-clouds

#SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #NatureJournal #NatureJournaling #PerpetualJournal #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #nature #outdoors #clouds #weather

paulaborchardt.substack.com

Rain Clouds and Dark Storm Clouds

—and Some Cool Funky Clouds

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 8mo ago

The Great Backyard Bird Count is happening today through Monday Feb. 16! Join this 4-day annual global birding event to share what you're seeing or hearing in your corner of the world. You can help scientists better understand & protect birds around the world, in as little as 15 minutes of your time! Here’s how to participate https://www.birdcount.org/participate/

#GreatBackyardBirdCount #GBBC #GBBC2026 #CitizenScience #bird #birds #birding #BirdsOfMastodon #birdsong

Great Backyard Bird Count

How to Participate

Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds. Simply watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days and tell us what you see!

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 3mo ago

Would you like to boost Democratic turnout for the Nov. US elections? Postcards to Swing States will send you FREE postcards (w/many states & House districts to choose from) + a short message to write to Dems who live in swing states & vote infrequently. You provide stamps, write/address the postcards & mail in Oct. Sign up at https://turnoutpac.org/postcards/#IndependenceDay #4thofJuly #July4 #July4th #PostcardsToSwingStates #SwingStates #USElections #Democrats #vote #VoteBlue #GetOutTheVote #GOTV

Progressive Turnout Project

Postcards | Progressive Turnout Project

Postcards to Swing States Save Democracy. Write Postcards. PROGRAM 1 Get Out the Vote Postcards Sign up to write postcards to key states and US House districts for the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Democrats can win control of both the House and Senate this fall, but we need volunteers just like you to make that […]

Paula Borchardt @paulaborchardt@mastodon.world

· 2mo ago

Here’s the 12th page of my newest art project, an Illustrated Journal—my art & notes celebrating little things in everyday life: yummy enchiladas, wearing sandals, hearing Cicadas & shaking dried seed pods. See more on my blog post (including my art process) https://paulaborchardt.substack.com/p/enchiladas-sandals-natural-noisemakers #SciArt #art #illustration #watercolor #painting #sketchbook #blog #Tucson #SonoranDesert #NativePlants #biodiversity #environment #nature #tree #seedpod #PaloVerde #insect #Cicada #bug #bugs #bugstodon #enchiladas

paulaborchardt.substack.com

Enchiladas, Sandals, Natural Noisemakers & a Retro Rolling Pin

—with a Deeper Dive into My Illustrated Journal Process