Rare Orchid, On the Banks daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

On the Banks
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on Panel

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How exciting to learn, first on Twitter and then as a headline in today's Naples Daily News, that an orchid which no one has seen for almost 50 years years is thriving in the Fahahatchee strand! Three plants of the elusive orchid, were last seen in 1961 by a biologist who took the plants home to document them and save them from an area soon to be developed. No one has seen orchid Cyclopogon elatus since.

It’s really only kind of orchid nerds who are going to appreciate this, but it’s kind of cool,” Miami environmental scientist Chris Little, who made the find said Tuesday. He's wrong, because some of us who don't know the first thing about wild orchids are also celebrating the find.

Good biological news gives those of us who are sure we're on a doomed planet over run by a destructive dominant species hope that the earth is finding ways of renewing itself. Plus, it's delightful to know that the earth still has surprises for us.

You can find out more about Florida orchids at discoverer Chris Little's website and learn more about the Fakahatchee here.

Stormy Economy, Orchid Daily Painting by JoAnn Sanborn

Every time there's a hurricane in the Atlantic, Caribbean or the Gulf, I worry about losing everything, trying to prepare myself mentally for what could actually be a reality of life here on barrier Marco Island. We have plans. We know what to do, when to get out of the way. But in an economic crisis? What to do? I was born on the upside of the depression, after the great war, when our companies, our country, and our lifestyles were going uphill, not down. Ultimately and deeply I have faith that our country can weather this unknown storm. But what to do in the meantime? Paint, I guess!

This little orchid was left in my care when my sister-in-law left for the north. She's missing it's beautiful blooming!

Orchid
7" x 5"
acrylic on board

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