I was over by Big Sand Lake in South Orange County. I looked at the smaller sinkhole to the southeast of Sand Lake and sketched a part of it. Lots of foliage and the water looked very healthy. Much unlike the condos and townhouses that have been packed around Big Sand Lake. The developers dredged and filled an unnatural jetty and built upon it. The jetty can’t be more than 200 feet wide. Those that got suckered into buying apartments there had better hope the sinkholes under them don’t reopen. They should be praying for hurricanes to avoid a sinking of their home values!

We made our way with Sandra’s mother and father to Ybor City to ride the streetcar as part of a birthday celebration. We made a stop at the University of South Florida’s botanical garden. Click here to learn more about the botanical garden at USF.

The drawing is of a black racer snake I spotted amongst the platings. I realize it’s a tough sketch to interpret. The snake is the darker area. I caught only the tail side of the snake.

Being part of the Fiesta in the Park Committee thus has me at the bi-annual event. This time of year sees the Spring Fiesta. This Spring event was greatly hampered by the weather and the first time so many artizans bailed out of the event. Quite a few food vendors left also. The tornado and severe weather warnings is what most prompted the folks to move on. We were there until the last artist and food vendor, who braved the weather and very loud Spanish music concert down the road, turned in their receipts.

Here is a page of bird sketches I drew.

 We spent a few hours at Highlands Hammock State Park wandering trails and indulging in the famous orange shakes you can purchase at the restaurant there. The drawing is of part of one of the many ancient trees there. Sandra took the photo of me working on the drawing.

Our next stop was the Montgomery Botanical Center just down the road from Pinecrest Gardens and Fairchild Gardens. This is a private venture that’s been going on since the 1920s. Click here to find out more!

The drawing is of limestone formed by quite a few centrues of water swirling around it. These protude from the now level ground. They’re in a sinkhole and there are quite a few more. Fascinating what lies beneath our feet here in our state of Florida!

 On the University of MIami campus is a small arboretum, The Gifford Arboretum. You can learn more by clicking here!

The outdoor arboretum’s markers are made of natural limestone. The drawn here is about three and a half feet tall.

We visited one of the last remnants of the original natural area land of the Dade County area and one of the oldest houses left. Learn more about the house and the area by clicking here!

This is a drawing of a corner of ‘The Barncle’.

The next stop was near Coral Gables in an area known as Pinecrest. The stop was at the original Parrot Jungle, now named Pinecrest Gardens. Strolling through the park you can still find the giant bird cages. The park has been very well kept and well worth taking a walk through and enjoying the plants and flowers.

The drawing is of the area that folks would come through after coming through the original entrance to Parrot Jungle in the 1930s. It still stands though part of the roof has caved in and it appears to be otherwise used as a storage room.

Our first stop was to the infamous Vizcaya! Most of anyone reading this has heard of or been there. For more about this model for the grand home of Orson Wells in ‘Citizen Kane’ click here!

The drawing is of part of the ornate grottos on the property. Time does limit more complete drawings. This was a busy day with lots to visit! Sandra took the photo of me drawing.

For Sandra’s birthday we headed over to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings homestead which still exists in a state park. There you can see her home, barn, car and many items which the fames author of ‘The Yearling’ had about her during her years in Marion County.

This is a drawing of a separate building behind her house. It’s a new building. Sandra believes this may be part of an author’s retreat planned for the park.

I was in Daytona Beach getting some work done. It was Bike Week and motorcycles everywhere! Here’s a brief sketch I drew of a bike.