This piece was created after David and I spent a whole summer day exploring Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina in August 2023. This piece is named after the place of inspiration, not the subject matter- as you can probably tell since there isn't an alligator in this piece.
This refuge was such a delight. We saw 10 black bears that day. They were out and about during the day crossing the roads from the soybean fields that are around the refuge. They were so fun to watch, especially the cubs. At first we saw one while the car was parked and we were both ecstatic. But over the course of about an hour of just sitting there on the side of the road, more and more popped up.
Park rangers said there are like 10,000 black bears in this refuge, and I believe it! If we saw just 10 in the little area we explored then I can only imagine how dense the population is there.
The yellow bird in this piece is the prothonotary warbler, a special warbler that is rare to find. We did in fact see some flitting about in the tops of trees on our way out of the park around dusk. We were so excited to see them. We were able to identify them by their call and through our binoculars.
This refuge was such a delight. We saw 10 black bears that day. They were out and about during the day crossing the roads from the soybean fields that are around the refuge. They were so fun to watch, especially the cubs. At first we saw one while the car was parked and we were both ecstatic. But over the course of about an hour of just sitting there on the side of the road, more and more popped up.
Park rangers said there are like 10,000 black bears in this refuge, and I believe it! If we saw just 10 in the little area we explored then I can only imagine how dense the population is there.
The yellow bird in this piece is the prothonotary warbler, a special warbler that is rare to find. We did in fact see some flitting about in the tops of trees on our way out of the park around dusk. We were so excited to see them. We were able to identify them by their call and through our binoculars.
The magnolia represents all of the southern magnolias that were in bloom and the blue dragonfly represents all of the blue dragonflies that were buzzing about. There is a dense dragonfly population as well. They're beautiful and iridescent and change color in the light. The monarch is for all of the monarchs that we saw as well. The botanicals are various ferns and grasses I was able to ID.
And then, at the end of the day, we did in fact get to see an alligator hanging out in a flooded ditch. It was sneaky! You would've never known it was there because it was so still and camouflaged well. We were just coming back from a boardwalk hike. It got disturbed by something (probably us) and started to swim, and that's when we were like "OH CRAP AN ALLIGATOR!" It was such a fun and memorable experience. I knew I had to come home and make a piece about it.
And then, at the end of the day, we did in fact get to see an alligator hanging out in a flooded ditch. It was sneaky! You would've never known it was there because it was so still and camouflaged well. We were just coming back from a boardwalk hike. It got disturbed by something (probably us) and started to swim, and that's when we were like "OH CRAP AN ALLIGATOR!" It was such a fun and memorable experience. I knew I had to come home and make a piece about it.
- Cherry Panel
- ~10" x 18" panel
- Sealed. Semi-gloss shine.
- Sawtooth hanger installed on the back for quick hanging.
- Do not place in direct sunlight, as this causes the woodburning to fade.