The Little Nuthatch

All the cold winter days of January mean the manatees flock to the warmer waters of Blue Springs. On the day I went there were over 300 manatees in the springs. There was also a 30+ minute wait time just to get in the park to see them! It was well worth the wait as the manatees were actively playing in the water, and just beneath the docks, right under your feet. You could not ask for better viewing.  

I went to Western North Carolina a few weeks ago. When I arrived, snow was melting on the ground and it did not snow again until the day after I left. Although I missed the snow it had a feeling and appearance of Winter that you do not get in Florida. Since returning to Florida it has been cold in our terms, but a couple days ago there was a quick shift to the mid-80s, just as the groundhog announced a longer Winter. Shame Florida does not have groundhogs, I would love more Winter!  

Here are a few more plaques I painted. I just scanned in the front so you can't see the actual plaque here, but they are pretty sweet ready to hang little wooden plaques painted glossy white and in this shield/badge shape. They are for sale and I will also use these darling owl faces on pins and necklaces in the future. Pygmy Owl Sooty Owl   Hawk Owl

And my first hike of 2014 goes to one of my favorite places in Florida, Tosohatchee WMA. It is a huge area with numerous trails and one of the most promising spots to see really wild nature in Florida.  

My first painting of 2014- Sloths! Brown-throated Sloth, Hoffmann's Sloth, Linnaeus's Sloth, Maned Sloth, Pale-throated Sloth, Pygmy Sloth. So cute!