In the Distance daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

 

In the Distance, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 5"x7"

 

 

The light has been clear and lovly in the Everglades with weather perfect for humans.  We've had no rain for a while, and the Everglades animals are beginning to go into survival mode.  Alligators will dig water holes using snout and tail, and other animals will gather to share the water.

 

There are some natural sloughs, channels that will retain water throughout the dry season, and manmade construction has made other deepwater passages.  In these areas the alligators can gather without doing the work of excavation. 

 

The corner of Turner River Road, off US 41 is one such area. When I first came to Florida, almost 20 years ago, only one or two gators used this location during the dry season.  As the area developed, the channel was deepened.  Now, as the season progresses, more and more gators gather at this manmade water hole.  Today it's easy to see multiple gators there. 

 

Without the alligator holes throughout the Everglades, other animals may have to find new methods to find the water they need to survive.  It's too soon to know if the lack of alligator holes will become a serious problem to some species, but scientists are beginning to be concerned about the changes.  You can learn more about alligator holes from the Croc Doc.

Everglades Light

Everglades Light, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 11x14, sold

 

The drop in humidity and a little coolness makes it a wonderful time of year to get out into the Everglades.  There's plenty of water from the summer rains.  The sloughs are full, and in the quiet you can hear the surface water gurgling softly on it's way to the Gulf.  With a  100 mile wide river of grass to get through, and only a slight decrease in elevation, the water is on a long, slow journey.  

 

There are more wading birds feeding in the shallow water, and more overhead.  Some will stay for the winter, but others are just passing through.  

 

Much of the land from Marco Island to Miami is preserved.  Spending time in nature calms our souls, lowers the blood pressure, and makes us realize we're only a small part of a much larger world. If you're not sure what to do or where to go on your own in the Everglades, stop into the studio and I'll give you a map of some easy and inexpensive ways to orient yourselves to the wonderful Everglades environment.

 

Today's painting is a larger version of the one I did last week.    Exploring the palms standing out against a background of brush is a subject I haven't visited for a while, but continues to intrigue. It's from a place I often pass, but don't get to stop and absorb.  Last week the late day light was perfect.  Everglades magic!