A kayak trip down the Silver River of Florida provided the inspiration for my watercolor Above It All. The spring that feeds the river has become very commercial and is teeming with tourists and novice boaters. However, a mile or two down the river, the chaos of vacationers is left behind.
Once I have navigated away from the spring, the current powers my kayak silently forward as tropical birds cross from bank-to-bank ahead of me. I’m amazed to see two species of birds together overhead, apparently nesting peaceably in the same tree. The male anhinga, sometimes called a Snake Bird due to its long neck, proudly claims the top branch as his perch. Below, a nesting female anhinga shares the tree with a nest of cormorants. The only sounds are the croaks and cackles of the birds.
My intention in creating this painting was to communicate the sense of immersion in the birds’ habitat, and the hush created by the humid, almost foggy, tropical atmosphere. The soft gray sky and the limited color palette contribute to the quiet mood.
On hold for the Birds in Art exhibit at the Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI, opening September 12, 2026.
A kayak trip down the Silver River of Florida provided the inspiration for my watercolor Above It All. The spring that feeds the river has become very commercial and is teeming with tourists and novice boaters. However, a mile or two down the river, the chaos of vacationers is left behind.
Once I have navigated away from the spring, the current powers my kayak silently forward as tropical birds cross from bank-to-bank ahead of me. I’m amazed to see two species of birds together overhead, apparently nesting peaceably in the same tree. The male anhinga, sometimes called a Snake Bird due to its long neck, proudly claims the top branch as his perch. Below, a nesting female anhinga shares the tree with a nest of cormorants. The only sounds are the croaks and cackles of the birds.
My intention in creating this painting was to communicate the sense of immersion in the birds’ habitat, and the hush created by the humid, almost foggy, tropical atmosphere. The soft gray sky and the limited color palette contribute to the quiet mood.
On hold for the Birds in Art exhibit at the Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI, opening September 12, 2026.
Contact me for layaway options.