~Gallery & Shop Listings~ Articles ~ Art Festivals ~

~Gallery & Shop Listings~

~Labaire Gallety in Norcross Georgia, 35 S. Peachtree Street (in historic
Norcross), GA 30071, Telephone 770.446.4003

~Signature Gallery 2364 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville Alabama 35801, 256-536-1960

~Crazy Dog Art Gallery (Opening July 2008) 5051 Highway 136 West, Talking Rock, GA 30175 http://www.crazydogart.com/

 

~See below for my 2008 festival scehedule~

~Articles~

~The Little Whale Who Left A Big Impression (Miami Herald/Key Largo Citizen June 2002)

~People In the Neighborhood: Liz Nicholas From Berkeley Lake (Inside Gwinnett Article June 2002)

~O'Hara native to be honored for animal shelter billboards (written by Tawnya Panizzi Pittsburgh Herald Article November 2002)

~Reigning Cats and Dogs (Jean Horne's Fanfare -Pittsburgh Tribune Review November 2002)

~My First Heart Attack (Author: Liz Nicholas, submitted for publication Private Animal media - pending print 4/2008)

~Help is Close By for Injured Hawk (Author: Mark Davis Atlanta Journal Constitution Published 01/01/05)

~Coyote sighting reported by Berkeley Lake homeowners(Author: Carole Townsend Gwinnett Daily Post, Sunday March 6, 2005)

~The Goddess Speaks ...Visions, Feathers and Nests by Liz Nicholas
(Author: Susun Weed, Wise Womans Herbal Ezine September 2007) http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/September07/goddess.htm

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Submitted to the Miami Herald/Key Largo Citizen- June 2002

To order a T-shirt with the image of the whale in this story, call or e-mail.

The Little Whale Who Left A Big Impression by Liz Nicholas

Daily we are offered an array of diverse opportunities to see how the cycle of existence leads us through this amazing journey we call life. We are reminded of these special moments as a result of the honest comment from a child, the simple and unconditional loving actions from our animal friends, and if we are really lucky, through rare experiences which are manifested from the less often seen living beings from which we share this wonderful planet.

I have always believed that my domestic animals share with all “wild things” the capability to experience the same feelings and emotions as humans. This is seen with elephants in Africa when protecting their young from danger, or in PODs of dolphins that join forces to protect sick siblings, or even colonies of insects that quickly move their eggs from exposure in order to ensure safety for the colony.

More important, it is my feeling that animals also obtain something even more precious, that of a soul, one that is unique to their kind but similar in respects to ours. I believe that all animals’ physical presence coupled with their souls prove to be our messengers to give us guidance. If we would only listen and see the potential they offer us.

It has always been one of my hopes that people could experience the same spiritual nature of animals first hand as I have. My experiences have been diverse. They include the heart breaking actions of canine and feline rescues, education on the abuse of farm animals, issues in the equine arena, rehabilitation and release programs for wildlife, and conservation focused earth-based campaigns. There is no wonder that I have become a Vegan, (someone who does not eat animal products or bi-products) after all I have seen and personally experienced.

Most recently, I was given a most special gift, one which was not adorned with colorful wrappings or ribbons, one without fanfare, yet one so welcomed, unexpected, moving and beyond beauty, I could have never anticipated it.

One of the most dreamlike yet dramatic experiences of my life involved the interaction with a (Physeteridae), or Dwarf Sperm Whale named “Doc”. Doc was under the care of the Marine Mammal Conservancy beginning the first week of June 2002. My involvement with the MMC was to assist them with marketing and fundraising activities that would allow them to build their dream facility in Key Largo. The MMC’s charter is to “protect marine mammals & their habitats, through research, rescue, rehabilitation, release and education.” Little did I know that my trip to meet with them would have been such a life changing experience for the community, scientific history, and me.

The day I arrived in Key Largo, gray clouds threatened the landscape. The president of MMC, Robert Lingenfelser escorted me to the site where “Doc” resided. Robert did a good job to not influence my perception of what I might experience. Rather he allowed me to experience the encounter from my own perspective. I had no idea how this “stranding” event would unfold over the following days, nor did I know how my involvement would impact me personally.

As we approached the water, a flood of adrenaline, and a feeling of being home over took my body. Yet there was something that was so familiar and so foreign about the location. The yellow outline of the floating holding pen reflected in the water as if it were a marigold flower boarder outlining a lush green garden of grasses flowing in the breeze. In the middle was a shiny and slick black elongated figure with a slumped over dorsal fin being held upright by a few dedicated volunteers dressed in diving attire. From this sole image, emanated an aura of love and care. It gave me chills! The sounds and activities around me were all but faint noises as my body melted into the moment, and I witnessed and felt something like never before. I held back the rush of emotions (those which come easily these days as I travel the journey of mid-life), and just observed, as if it were there first time I had been granted the gift of sight.

As the rain slowly fell, so did my guard, and I opened myself up to something that my heart aches to feel…that of the connection that can only be present when people and animals “trust” each other.

Over the progression of days, I learned much of this magnificent creature, from the experts, from my own experience, and literature available at the makeshift location. His condition was quite perplexing, as no one was sure for his “stranding”, or surface floating which caused him to lean more heavily to the right side. They were guessing on his condition, as there was no way to know for sure without further surgical investigation.

For three days I watched as dedicated volunteers left their waking lives to take midnight shifts both in and out of the water. The MMC crew took meticulous care ensuring that everything from exercise to feeding was consistent. “Doc” came first at all times; he was never second to any human activity. And he came to trust these people, and they him, as he allow them to attend to his needs, to hand feed him without any force or incident.

I observed a particular early morning shift with two volunteers, a husband and wife team who decided to give up their last night of sleep before heading back home to Texas. This was the final shift that we would see him alive. There was something in the connection of these two people with this sweet fellow that made me so aware once again of the uniqueness of the human connection and interaction with our animal friends – that which can only be experienced and hardly described. They were all emanating love for each other, and I believe that this little whale felt this and much more from the collection of people who were here to help him.

On Saturday, a procedure was planned which would allow the veterinarians to have a better opportunity to medically explore the possible reasons for his “stranding”. As a collection of animal admirers and volunteers assisted in his removal from the water, on-lookers stood stiff without motion, nervous as to how the event would unfold. Within minutes, “Doc’s” body was hastily brought back to the water, as minutes expired between his last breaths. It was time to go…. and this sweet creature made the decision to leave our presence. During the next 45 minutes, those of us who were drawn close by this experience had our time to grieve and console each other. Tears fell from each of us, and the sky opened almost as if to say it wept with us in this journey to release him back to the sea. The sequence of medical events proceeded, and “Doc” returned to the sea from which he once came. He was free from labored breathing; the struggles to stay afloat and more importantly did not drown.

As we approach hurricane season, three intense storm cells feverishly descended on the shoreline, and we held on to anything that was affixed to the ground. Nature was taking him back whether we liked it or not. It seemed fitting that the rainwater from the sky was what nourished the land and now regenerating the sea with freshness, washing him into it.

That night, just on the edge of dusk, one of the most beautiful sunsets graced the sky and mirrored colors of orange and blues off the floating clouds. And even more poetic was the appearance of the spectrum of two double rainbows bleeding through the gray. What a fitting tribute to a wonderful little whale whose body will now offer invaluable information about others like him.

For me, I knew that the weather was a symbol of “Doc” going straight home. It all represents such an impressed image of my belief that these blessed creatures truly share something very special with us. The word "soul" goes beyond definition, and reinforces that the animals of this planet are no exception.

My experiences with “Doc”, the beautiful, splendid and sweet little whale, has proven to manifest themselves to show him as a significant new "guide" to help me chart my course in life. I honor his life and presence on this earth, and would like to dedicate the following statement as a tribute to his courage: “If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water*” For more information about the Marine Mammal Conservancy, call (305) 451-0778 or (305) 853-0675.

*quote by (Loran Eisely)

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Extracted from Inside Gwinnett - June 2002

"People in the Neighborhood"
Liz Nicholas from Berkeley Lake

She calls herself an artist, experimenter, risk-taker and animal lover. This Berkeley Lake resident has held onto two of her strongest life’s passions, that of her enjoyment and creative expression through painting, and her deep and intense love for the four legged creatures on this earth.

With the recent release of her new web site, Liz Nicholas says that she has finally been able to fulfill her life’s dream. "Art With A Conscience", or (www.artwithaconscience.com), has opened new avenues in which to give back to those animals and people who have graced her life, lift one’s spirit, help provide a healing media for herself and others, and reveal inner emotions.

Critics and art lovers are comparing her to Rodriguez’s Blue Dog and/or Ron Burns’ colorful animal images, yet her heart and love for animals is revealed through her paintings like no other. The warmth and brightness of her subjects on canvas dance and emanate her love for her subject matter.

Liz captures the "soul and essences" of each of these blessed creatures, whose stories and portraits reveal animals, which have endured abuse, suffered neglect and/or are threatened with endangerment. Her one-of-a-kind paintings and designs have been used by rescue groups and wildlife organizations both in the US and abroad. They are highly sought after as a new way to "brand" real life images for capital campaigns and advertising endeavors.

She is an artist who truly cares. A portion of the proceeds for each of her original paintings and art objects are donated to non-profit animal, environmental and ecologically minded groups.

Liz is emphatic about her feelings; "it is my hope that many more people will experience the same spiritual nature of animals first hand as I have. When one explores the word "soul" and chooses to open yourself up to the words true meaning, you can see the parallels between these lovable creatures and humans. For many, animals have become vastly important participants in our lives. I believe that we should cherish them as "guides" to help us chart our course in life, and honor their presence as they honor ours every day with their unconditional love."

Liz's experience with animals ranges from her personal commitment and dedication as a rescuer/foster home for canines and felines, to field study and researcher on diseases and issues, which are impacting animals in places such as Africa.

More recently, Liz has been involved with non-profit animal groups. Some of the animals she has captured in paint have been featured on shows as Animal Planet. From equine to marine animals such as sharks, whales and manatees, her paintings detail both life on land and sea. The president of the Marine Mammal Conservancy (MMC), in Key Largo Florida, Robert Lingenfelser has agreed to allow her to actively participate with rehabilitation efforts at their facility in Florida. The Conservancy’s overall mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and/or retire marine mammals from all over the country. They operate a "halfway house" where they bring marine mammal from unsuitable or artificial capture situations back to their natural environment and released if possible.

Regardless of the subject matter, you will see that Liz’s "true to spirit" creations will move you to tears, as she shares real life injustices endured by many helpless creatures. Her favorite quote echo’s her feelings about these animal friends, as written by French author Jacques Anatole France: "Until one has loved an animal, one’s heart remains unawakened".

You may visit Liz Nicholas at Labaire Pottery, a gallery of fine arts and crafts located in downtown Norcross, where she chooses to surround herself by other inspiring art objects, and fun people as a creative way to interact with the two legged variety!

If you are a rescue group, art gallery or just an animal lover and would like to contact her directly, you may do so via her site or at the following e-mail: info@artwithaconscience.com.

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Friday, November 1, 2002

The Herald

O'Hara native to be honored for animal shelter billboards

By Tawnya Panizzi Staff writer Friday, November 1, 2002 O'HARA: Her sad-eyed look says it all. "Coco," a pink portrait of an abandoned puppy graces billboards across the city in an appeal for donations to Animal Friends, Pittsburgh's only no-kill shelter, located in the Strip District

The artist, O'Hara native Liz Nicholas, wanted to portray a realistic image of the lives behind the thousands of abused and unwanted animals rescued by Animal Friends each year.

"I create them in a way that is appealing for children," she said of her brightly-colored animal art that is represented on the shelter's marketing material. "If they think, 'Why does that purple cat look sad?', they are a conduit to get their parents to read about the neglect or abuse these animals go through."

Nicholas, who now lives in Berkeley Lake, Georgia, will be honored for her "picture-stories" on Saturday during the fifth annual Animal Friends Black Tie & Tails benefit at Heinz Field.

"This is the part of being a starving artist that makes you feel good. It makes the work worth it," she said.

A self-described artist, experimenter and animal lover, Nicholas paints with a nontraditional approach in an effort to capture the spirit of each creature. For instance, Animal Friends selected a bright pink Chihuahua portrait to use on the Black Tie & Tails invitation which Nicholas said represents the fiery essence of a rescued dog that she met during a visit to the shelter.

"That Chihuahua was meaner than a snake," she laughed. "Her new owners told me I captured her exactly using the pinks and reds."

A graduate of Edinboro University near Meadville, Nicholas works primarily with nonprofit animal and environmental groups to promote fund-raising and public education. Her portrait of a whale was commissioned by the Marine Mammal Conservancy for its 2002 Christmas cards; her marketing work with the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Atlanta will benefit wildlife rescue and conservancy.

To further her mission of educating people on animal abuse, neglect and endangerment, Nicholas often uses a real-life image from each group. For example, a painting that will be auctioned during the Black Tie & Tails benefit features three dogs — green, pink and blue sitting atop a globe — that Nicholas met at Animal Friends.

The animals become the poster children of their shelter, she said.

The theme of the painting represents "that we are their world," Nicholas said.

"But people should realize what they contribute to us, unconditional love. I want people to know the cold, hard facts about shelters. There are no caskets there. The animals are euthanized and then in the trash can."

Nicholas' connection with Animal Friends began in 1985 when the group helped Nicholas place a litter of puppies. To be honored by the group two decades later was exhilarating, she said.

"It was like everything was in slow motion. I thought, could this really be happening?" Nicholas said. "This is my hometown and to be associated with them is such an honor."

The benefit will begin at 7:15 p.m. in Heinz Field's Club West with music by Pittsburgh jazz musician Kenny Blake, a Bow-Wow Boutique and a silent auction. The "Faux Paw" reception will follow in Club East with desserts and coffee, a live auction of artwork and a Canine & Kitty Couture Show.

Left: Sporting her "fake fur" Liz decides to take her life long best friend, Terri Hansberry as her "date"

Mr. McFeely — also an O'Hara native — and Henrietta Pussycat of Mister Rogers Neighborhood will co-chair the event. The gala is expected to draw more than 600 guests, with proceeds benefiting animal care and programs to support pet owners like rabies clinics and low-cost spay-neuter.

Right: Mr. McFeely from Mr Rodgers Neighborhood congratulates Liz in Heinz field for her painting created exclusively for the auction. Her painted brough in a bid for $3500 for Animal Friends

Reigning Cats and Dogs

By Jean Horne
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, November 4, 2002

Pittsburgh’s Black and Gold battled the Cleve Brownies by the lake on Sunday afternoon, but the Dawg (and Cat) Pound ruled Saturday at Heinz Field during Black Tie & Tails — Animal Friends’ annual benefit gala. And on a day when the morning paper delivered shocking stories of area dog-fighting rings, the swank celebration of our four-legged pals provided a timely and poignant reminder of why the city’s no-kill shelter often is Fido’s or Fluffy’s last and best haven against man’s cruelty.

In its fifth year — and bigger and better than ever — Black Tie & Tails played purr-fectly from start to finish. Outside, a receiving line of dapper dogs decked out in tiny tuxes welcomed guests while pooches and felines mixed and mingled indoors with guests in the ballfield’s west club lounge. Nearly stealing everyone’s thunder, the Heinz Hitch, horsepowered by eight jet-black and absolutely majestic Percheron steeds, chauffeured honorary chairs Mr. McFeely (aka David Newell) and Henrietta Pussycat from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood to the party. Posing for photo ops with the city’s best-known delivery wagon were Liz Nicholas, who created the benefit's poster and more art, along with co-emcees Susan Barnett of KDKA-TV, Leslie Merrill McCombs and WQED’s Michael Bartley. Naturally, the top dog in the pics was H.J., the hitch's dashing Dalmatian mascot.

With tix ranging from $100 to $500, a handful of local corporations that didn’t let the current economic slump wag the dog when it came to generosity, the nearly $180,000 in proceeds ensure that AF will continue to provide neglected, abused and unwanted animals with top-notch health care, training and compassion. Plus, the night’s bottom-line lays a solid foundation for the group’s new home on 13. 5 green acres off Camp Horne Road in North Hills. Now that’s a dog’s life.

No one asked who let the dogs out during the VIP reception. In fact, the guests of honor bow-wowed and meowed with notables such as AF board prez Marleen Ashton and Jim; PNC prez Sy Holzer and Cathy; Barb and Bob Fragasso; AF director David Swisher and Patty; Marcy Tenaglia; district attorney Stephen Zappala and Mary; new Pittsburgh Mag editor/publisher Betsy Benson and John; Suzanne Mauro and Josh Stanson; Becky and Jeff Brown; Dr. Elliot Kramer and Bill Modrak; Perlora’s Lora and Perry Sigesmund; Lynn Cullen with Sam; Susan and Dr. Michael Brody; Raquel and Dick Cerilli; Casey Brown; Jill and Rick Berardi; Linda and Chris Frank; Penny and Charles Alpern; alpha florist Michael Jacobs of Blooms and creator of the staggeringly beautiful bouquets everywhere you looked, and Catherine Mancing and Matthew Lapides. Even with delectable treats from made-to-order pasta to savory sushi, the furry AF celebs minded their manners by not begging for a nibble.

Of course, everyone was encouraged to open their hearts and wallets for the pet project. While a silent auction lineup that stretched halfway around the stadium offered more than 170 bid-ables, the real draw as the live sale during the “Faux Paw” dessert and coffee reception, with auctioneer Tripp Klein gently coaxing bidders to unleash their enthusiasm and purse strings.

And that’s what Animal Friends are for.

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My first Heart Attack

April 2008 (publication pending) all rights reserved

Too often we take our daily lives for granted. I have been, for years now, trying to relish the experiences I have each day and as part of my exciting mid-life journey. Today started like any other, slowing rising to my alarm singing, and then, of course, the dogs instantly barking their song of "morning - morning - morning - gotta pee.......gotta pee....let us out....let us out!!!!!!"

Instantly I began my brain routine, sorting out the "order of things" before getting into the shower and racing off to work.

When you have a variety of animals, all needing a specific feeding regimen, it's a carefully orchestrated sequence of events; i.e. guarding the potential frenzy between food aggressive dogs, a whining cat who can't get her "special morsels" fast enough, and this morning.......and a "6 pack" of baby "O's" only a few weeks old.

I patiently remind myself I need to slow down before I have a heart attack!

Everything seemed to go smoothly, as the dogs finished eating peacefully, the cat ate, and I heated water to warm formula for my babies. Outside the dogs go again, the cat in her garage suit, and upstairs with baby food before "I" start "my" portion of the day.

As a fairly new wildlife rescuer, I always hope to find everyone alive in the mornings. In some cases, with very animals, and especially with opossums, night feeding is important, and actually, those little buggers swallow and attach themselves to one of 13 nipples in their mothers pouch. That smart mom decides when and what the right amount of nutrition is needed in their 24 hour smorgasbord in her warm pouch. We humans do the best to simulate her expertise - doing the best we know how.

Gladly I hear sibling squabbles in their enclosure as I open their room, ready and perhaps anxious for me to get this party started.

I stick my hand in and pick out the first little female, massaging her to make sure she's awake, inserting the rubber toothpick sized catheter tube into her mouth and down to her stomach for her first morning feeding. Once you get the hang of it...its no big deal, and with 4 feedings under my belt, I thought I was brilliant at avoiding their trachea and lungs and get their bellies full relatively fast. I quickly finished 1, 2, 3 and four and reached in to pull out #5, my little runt, and remember how challenging he was last night. Because he's the smallest, getting the tube into the right area, without resistance, or without my own hesitation made me a little nervous again. After what seemed like an hour, (actually only 30 seconds), I started to slowly release some liquid from the syringe into the tube to feed. But "Squirt" quickly pulled it out, and I panicked thinking that I did something seriously wrong.

Was it in his lungs????....Oh My God....was he dying ...he WAS dying!!!!!!!!!! My little ones lungs were filled with fluid instead of his stomach....he went stiff instantly and lost control of his bowels. I had killed my first baby opossum!

I sat there in silence for a moment, and said...Oh My GOD - what had I done? I am so sorry....I am so sorry...never letting go of him from my lap with my hand cupped over him...I felt his hard body so lifeless and stiff. I held back the tears, and a strange sensation of sorrow filled me.

I was so caught in the moment, and knew I needed to "move on" because there was one left, and get beyond my life and death mistake as a "opossum killer". I asked myself...should I place him in the garbage can?...should I put him in a plastic bag destine for the freezer until we could perform a necropsy????

A flood of emotions and guilt feeling ran through my mind in just 60 quick seconds. I decided to hold him in silence for another minute before I would put him back in a box to determine the path for his little innocent body later. But then, by some miracle, in a matter of about a minute, his body started to loosen, and soften again....like he was letting go and passing on to another place, laying in my lap "at peace".

I massaged him and blew a breath onto his whiskered face, all the time saying.....I am so sorry...I am so sorry little dude. I contemplated doing opossum CPR...then thought to myself...Liz..you have finally lost it!

All in a matter of minutes, things changed.....and ....there was a breath.....and another.....and movement......and shaking....and little tremors..... HOW COULD THIS BE? How could this poor animal make it though my mistake - MY MISTAKE THAT KILLED HIM!!!! Did some greater power decide that he/she was not going to make me suffer the guilt of killing my first baby? Was I some miracle worker that was able to revived a three week old opossum?

Stupidly I kept blowing into his face thinking I was responsible to bring him back to life with my life saving "CPR"! I placed Squirt back into the carrier to give him time to recover, (I thought) ....and to see if really he was able to live through my mistake. I fed the last little one, and went back to reach for him in his box. He was gone! My little runt had flown to heaven.....well....not really, he was out of his carrier, and crawling on my bathroom sink counter!

I tubed him in record time, cleaned up his bottom, and placed him back with his siblings for his morning siesta. Finally, in the shower, I had time to reflect on my "life changing experience".

Was I to learn that its easy to kill a baby opossum so I would be more careful in the future - maybe? Was I to learn that there is some greater power that revived my deceased baby because I needed some spiritual message - perhaps?

You know..........they say, while opossums have many attributes, high intelligence is not one of them. In fact its is well known that they have one of the smallest brain to body ratios among mammals, despites their acute sense of smell and hearing. Of course they have one other very unique talent I somehow forgot.

Did I have my first lesson in experiences how young a baby can "play opossum" - You bet!

Squirt is now lovingly called, Little Lazarus! I sit today and think of the lessons he has taught me. Native Americans speak to the gifts our animal friends bring to our lives. This little one taught me about strategies, and diversion, and deception and protection of self. I suppose my lesson today is much deeper than I know!

“If you talk with the animals they will talk with you, and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them, you will not know them, and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears one destroys.” - Chief Dan George

O-possum Facts: The Opossum belongs to a primitive group of mammals known as marsupials (like the kangaroo and Koalas found in Australia) and is the ONLY marsupial found in the United States. In Georgia, they can be found in almost any wooded area, and now have had to exist and survive in the cities. With a dull gray coat, pinkish nose and rat like tail; (which by the way is NOT used to hang, rather to stabilize its body while climbing), too often these creatures are considered by many on the low end of wildlife circles. Their long snout and vicious looking teeth; (50 all together) make unsuspecting humans and canines weary of them. Dating back to the time of the dinosaurs, this "living fossil" is an important part of Georgia's eco-balance. As exceptionally clean night strollers, known to be as fastidious as cats, they are one of the most healthy and disease resistance wild animals in our fine state. With a strong resistance to rabies and to snake bites, including rattlesnakes it makes them extremely important to the health of our environment. Nick-named sanitation engineer, they keep our yards and green spaces clear and clean from diseased and rotting matter. Sadly seen dead on the roads after being hit themselves, most don’t make it past a few years of age. Opossums are a wonderful creature, and should be respected equally among all of our wild animals in the US, and around Georgia! THe oppossum is one of my most favorite animals!

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~Help is Close By for Injured Hawk (Author: Mark Davis Atlanta Journal Constitution Published 01/01/05) http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/gwinnett/0105/01hawk.html

Liz Nicholas got the call, as she usually does when an animal is in distress.

A hawk, said the voice on the other line. It's hanging around in our back yard.

The call came from a neighbor just down the street from Nicholas' home in Berkeley Lake. Nicholas was there in moments.

There, fluttering in late November's dried leaves, was a bird about the size of a crow. Nicholas looked more closely, noting its hooked beak and pointed talons. She moved carefully behind the bird, then moved quickly, grasping it firmly.

The bird's head pivoted as if on ball bearings, smooth and fast, and regarded her captor with eyes as sharp and piercing as its talons. Nicholas paused for a moment, admiring the creature's wild beauty, and knew: A raptor, or bird of prey — a Cooper's hawk, to be precise. Judging by its plumage, it was a youngster, and it was hurt.

She took the creature to the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, where Nicholas is a docent who teaches art and nature classes. Biologists at the center say the bird is recovering nicely after suffering a concussion and the avian equivalent of a torn rotor cuff of its left wing. It probably was injured when it hit a house while diving for food.

The prospects are good for the female hawk, which may be returned to the wild this month.

Named for naturalist William Cooper, who shot a specimen in 1828, Accipiter cooperii has an array of nicknames — blue darter, striker, chicken hawk. A fully grown Cooper's hawk is anywhere from 14 to 20 inches tall. Females are larger than males.

They range all over the United States and also are found in Mexico and Canada. The hawks are skilled hunters, capable of flying as fast as 55 mph, whipping through forests with the ease of sports cars zipping past traffic cones.

Their favorite food: small to medium-size birds, preferably caught on the wing.

Yet that hunting tactic can be the bird's literal downfall, said Marianne Worley, a raptor educational biologist at the Southeastern Raptor Center. The center, located in Auburn, Ala., is the largest in the Southeast, and routinely rehabilitates wounded raptors.

When told about the Berkeley Lake hawk, Worley made an educated guess about how it ended up in rehab. "It smacked a window, or . . . hit a house, didn't it?" she asked. "That happens a lot."

Another mishap occurred Tuesday, when the hawk struck a pole while stretching its wings in a 50-foot flight cage. She cracked her beak, thereby delaying her release, said Kathryn Dudeck, the Chattahoochee center's wildlife manager.

They hope to release the hawk around Jan. 10, returning her to the leafy territory of Berkeley Lake, where a healthy stand of pines and hardwoods provides habitat for birds, deer and other wildlife. The area also hosts other Cooper's hawks — the bird's family, naturalists surmise.

Right: Ceil Jarrett & Liz release the hawk

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Coyote sightings reported by Berkeley Lake Homeowners -Gwinnett Daily Post, Sunday March 6, 2005

By Carole Townsend Staff Correspondent

BERKELEY LAKE - Two or three surprise visitors have been seen around Berkeley Lake neighborhoods recently, and they are the four-legged kind.

Several homeowners have reported coyote sighting in the greenspace and along the waters edge to the city Ordinance Enforcement Office Charlie Sewell. As with any situation like this, when nature meets civilization, there are concerns. "My goal is to investigate all of our options" said Mayor Lois Salter.

The options include tranquilizing then euthanasia, trapping and relocating, shooting or coexisting with the animals.

Berkeley Lake is a city devoted to preservation and education in any matter involving nature and wildlife, and this devotion was evident at Thursday nights City Council meeting. Liz Nicholas, a Berkeley Lake resident and volunteer at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, Addressed the council regarding the coyotes' presence in the city

"These animals are very adaptive; they are survivors. They have a four-mile (radius) territory, and it's very possible that they are just passing through here to get someplace else. But we also need to realize that our greenspace is a safe habitat for them."

Nicholas offered to do in-depth exploration of the areas to find evidence of this coyotes' den and hunting. Nicholas said she would be happy to educate citizens as to the characteristic and habits of the animas, saying "education is the best tool we have to put these people at ease".

The council members agreed that Earth Day would be the perfect opportunity to educate the locals about their new neighbors.

The department of Natural Resources suggests that homeowners take a preventative stance in dealing with coyotes. They suggest putting lids tightly on garbage cans, not leaving food our for animals, bringing small pets in at night and other sensible measures.

Tom Kitchens, a Berkeley Lake resident, said, "I see no reason for us to go to war with these animals. Nature and wildlife preservation are the reasons we moved here"

There have been no reports of pets disappearing or people being threatened or attacked by the animals.

"They are skittish and afraid of humans" said Nicholas. "When the numbers increase, as they have out West, then they become desensitized to humans. That's when you hear of daytime sightings and attacks on humans. We are not at that point here."

Council member George Sipe suggested the major appoint a committee to handle the issue and said this committee would exist under the umbrella of the Berkeley Lake Conservancy.

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~Art Festivals & Events~

The following is a list of locations and shows in which "Art With A Conscience " will be displayed in 2005. For additional updates, please be sure to sign into our "Register Section", or join our mailing list by "subscribe" (we promise NOT to share your information with others), so you may receive our newsletter, announcements or invitations on new galleries and/or show openings.