The Little Nuthatch

Welcome, March! There is some slight sadness in knowing that it will be getting warmer, but Spring is my favorite season, and I am surrounded by signs of it's approach.  

I had been anxious to get out to the Orlando Wetlands since it reopened on February 1st (as it closes during the Winter), and I finally made it out there a couple weeks ago. It is always exciting to see what birds have arrived while it's closed. My first stop was to the cypress in the back to see the Vermilion Flycatcher, an adorable little red bird. It didn't come close, so it was a tiny speck on a distant tree...   The sun was going down as I walked back towards the front. Most the action was in the...

One of the most interesting spots for a hike is Lyonia Preserve. It is a sanctuary for the Florida Scrub Jay, a most beautiful and friendly bird. Just a few minutes down the trail, and the birds are already popping in to say hello. The scrub habitat is also pretty interesting. It is dry, sandy, and prone to wildfires.  I love how different it is from most trails. Very sunny, but perfect on a cool Winter day.

I first painted Totoro napping, now I have painted Totoro playing music (with dust bunnies coming to hear)! I don't know when I will get around to it, but I would eventually love to paint the Totoro's growing plants, and also flying with the umbrella. For anyone not familiar with Totoro, it is one of the best movies EVER, by the great Hayao Miyazaki, and the full title of the movie is My Neighbor Totoro. The Totoro's are the guardians of the forest. It is a sweet story for young and old, and something I have watched countless times. I...

Taken at the Black Hammock Wilderness Area... No photos of birds captured, but there were four Red-Shouldered Hawks dueling it out, a pair of Pilated Woodpeckers hammering at trees, and a Barred Owl hooting in the distance.