Living in south Alabama has certainly had its perks—one being the warm/hot climate that allows for an abundance of foliage. Fortunately, among the Yellow Pines and the invasive Kudzu, you will find lots of hardwood trees, including the pecan tree.
According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, Alabama is one of 15 states that produces pecans commercially and has approximately 22,000 acres planted with pecan orchards in 39 counties, mostly in Baldwin and Mobile counties. Between 1998 and 2007, Alabama growers produced about 59 million pounds of pecans. Alabama ranks eighth in pecan production in the United States and produces an average of about 6.8 million pounds of nuts a year. The United States produces an average of 220 million pounds per year. I know what you're thinking, "That's nuts!" right?
"Alabama Nutopia" features a squirrel holding onto a couple of pecans. The tagline for this mixed-media drawing was "Yes, We Pe-Can!".
These facts not only make us pecan-eatin' humans grin from ear-to-ear but also places a contented expression on the faces of countless squirrels. This small drawing was my casual tribute to both the pecan and its most popular collector—the squirrel. The above piece is owned by Sharon Kay of Huntsville, Alabama.