Rugged, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn, and some news about Owlivia

Rugged, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn SOLD

acrylic on board, 7"x 5"

As you may know, Dr. Dolores Burton and I have collaborated on a children's book.   But You Don't Look Like Me has been quite popular among our residents and visitors, with over 400 copies sold to date.  Children especially like to hold one of our "stuffie" owls while having this delightful story read to them.

  

There will be a second book based on our local burrowing owl community coming out in late fall. Owlivia, the beautiful barn owl, will be back and you'll be introduced to some new characters who are still under development.

Let's keep this a little secret between us for now.....but you'll be the first to know when it's launched!  

Invite to a Hoot!

It's A Hoot! 

You’re Invited!  

Studio of  Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn 

At the Esplanade, 760 N.Collier, Marco Island

Friday, February 20th

 5:30—7:00

Refreshments will be served 

Olive Oil

 Taste, experience, and learn about various Olive Oils with expert Michael Bohn

And

Owlivia 

Meet author Dr. Dolores Burton and illustrator, Jo-Ann Sanborn and have your copy of

But You Don’t Look Like Me! personalized!

Nest, Daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Nest, 2014, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

 

I've been drawing and painting owls, and owls and owls.  We seem to have a great crop of them on the island this year, and their little peanut shapes are just so appealing.  Each seems to have a unique character. 

 

Across the canal from me is a vacant lot, and it seems some plovers are nesting there.  I see one or another of a pair move back and forth across the freshly cut field.  Hopefully there's a second crop of young ones, and they're feeding them.

 

So a nest -- on the ground, not in it like the owls, but I can't see what's in an owl's nest.  Do plovers have spotted eggs? 

Take a Deep Breath, daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Take a Deep Breath

5x7, acrylic on board

Sold

Do you notice the sound of the frogs, a gentle breeze rustling the palm fronds or the eagle soaring overhead? If you live in South Florida, take a moment to enjoy the nature that's all around us. In addition to unique and amazing wild life, like the gopher turtles and the owls, and sea turtles, the very air can give you joy.

The sunsets and sunrises this time of year are almost always glorious shows of natural light. Sometimes the late show is quite dramatic as the storms roll through, like in today's Everglades painting. Other times it's the quiet layering of soft salmon, mint green and a gentle turquoise on the horizon as the sun comes up that might make you sigh with delight.

As you go about doing whatever it is that you have planned for today, at some point step outside, take a deep breath and listen to what our earth might have to tell you. It just might make your day!

Owls and Panthers and Iguanas, oh my! On the Water Daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Day on the Water
7" x 5"
acrylic on Panel
$150 with FREE shipping and handling in the US

Today's daily painting, A Day on the Water, was inspired by the fact that so many Marco Islanders spent Memorial Day weekend on a boat or near the water. We're really a water community, and sometimes this time of year canal traffic can rival the streets! People congregate on the beaches and in boats and on the surrounding islands enjoying our natural environment.

Other creatures of our natural environment have been making the news this week. Our burrowing owl population is down, in part because their food source has been affected by drought, and in part because of the heavy hand of man. This photo, taken near my home was an active burrow until the city repaired a storm drain on the site with heavy machinery compacting the soil. As a result, no owls this year.

But the little peanut shaped birds are active in other burrows, and we're hoping for a good wet season and a comeback for this charming population. As you can read here, our owls bring birders from near and far.

A rare sighting of an endangered Florida panther also made the news this week. Early morning volunteers on the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Boardwalk were surprised and delighted to see a female panther on the boardwalk in front of them. They were able to get some surprisingly good video of the animal. Wow!

And then, there's the Green Iguana. They're exotic, and gorgeous, and have growing populations in several places on Marco. They're in invasive species that climb trees easily and eat the eggs of our local birds and have no natural predator. Birds, or Iguanas? Should the City eradication program continue? It's ugly, but my vote is for the birds.