Kat (far left) and crew with Dylan before the tour. Dylan was happy that the Manatee Nebula has a new home with these ladies.
Feeding Hugh and Buffet a snack of kale, sweet potatoes and apple slices. For the first time in his life, Dylan tried kale! He said he wanted to enjoy “the whole experience.”
Dr. Gordon Bauer gave Dylan a very informative tour of the marine lab.
More details coming soon…
Tonight Dylan discovered the Ninja Park. He was apprehensive at first but upon entering the gym he was no longer nervous. “I thought I was going to have to wear a ninja outfit,” he said. It turns out that the co-owner of the gym is the older brother of one of Dyl’s old schoolmates. His whole body relaxed as he contemplated his first obstacle. During the session he tried the jumping spider, rope junction, ring junction and parallel bars. Watch out… We might just have a Ninja Warrior in the making! 
Dylan has one thing on his mind today and that’s the ocean. Since we are surrounded by the desert, painting sharks and waterfalls is as close as he can get for now. 
This week Dylan had the pleasure of meeting Michael Tolleson, an autistic savant artist based in Kent, Washington. Michael was in Santa Fe for the Kentucky Derby Day fundraiser benefitting Habitat for Humanity. Dylan spent some quality time with Michael asking questions about his craft and how he sees the colors that he puts on the canvas.
Dylan was intrigued by Michael’s use of a palette knife to paint and how quickly he produces his masterpieces. Thank you Michael! We hope our paths cross again soon.
Dylan spent Earth Day 2015 at Sandia Lakes with friends and family. The new kayak dipped in the water for the first time as the Railrunner train sped by. Dylan says, “it’s the best boat for relaxing and just watching the wildlife around me.”
The Junior Federal Duck Stamp competition had over 24,000 youth participants from 50 states and 3 territories. After winning Best in Show for New Mexico, Blue Beak was judged by a panel at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.Va. The results are in…. Dylan and his Ruddy Duck made the Top 25 in the nation.
For complete contest results, go to the Junior Duck Stamp Program’s website at www.fws.gov/juniorduck. A gallery of all state Best of Show entries can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq/sets/72157652007419625.
Congratulations to all the winners.
This is just a quick sketch of a peacock. Dyl had plans to paint a vibrant peacock on canvas.
This morning Dyl broke into broadcasting on Coyote 102.5 and LOVED it! Dylan and Sarah, Director of the New Mexico Autism Society, talked about tomorrow’s Race for Autism at the Balloon Fiesta park.
Update: Dylan won first place in his age group and overall Best in Show. His Ruddy Duck will be judged on the national level April 17. For the next year, Blue Beak in Flight will travel the United States with all of the best in show winners from the other 49 states and territories.
This acrylic painting of a Ruddy Duck is going to be submitted for the Junior Federal Duck Stamp competition. Dylan really enjoyed learning about the duck and its habitat. His conservation message, “Preserving the beauty of waterfowl and their habitat is a reflection of humanity’s soul.”
artbydyl 