Alone, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Alone, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5" x 7"

Original painting of a sabal palm near a waterway in the Everglades. 

I've had a visitor the last couple of weeks--my brother from New England.  He comes every year at this time and dirties the towels, brings sand from the beach in on his feet, talks a lot and wants dinner every night. Patriots games are required watching.  He's house handy, and will help me out doing almost anything I ask, loves to cook on the grill, gives honest, thoughtful opinions on my questions, admires my art and is delightfully easy company. 

I'm thankful to have two wonderful siblings.  Hey, Judy, it's your turn! 

Birds, and Soft Morning, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Soft Morning, 2015, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7" x 5"

One day last week I took my coffee out to the patio, drawn by the call of a cardinal.  I hadn't seen one for quite some time, but following the sound of their song, I found a pair darting from tree to tree.  The male was bright red and his mate more somberly dressed.  Just then the pecking of a red-bellied woodpecker on one of the large sabal palms drew my attention.  There were two of them!  Just past the sable, a snowy egret was having breakfast in the vacant lot next door.  Moving closer, I saw a small flock of young ibis searching out food in the water-filled swale by the road.  To top it off, an osprey was fishing over the bay.  

It amazed me to see such a wealth and variety of bird life in the space of a few moments right from my small patio in a nearly urban area! Living close to nature is one of the best reasons to live on Marco Island.  

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