DeLand residents don’t have to travel down to the Lyonia Preserve in Deltona to catch a glimpse of a scrub jay. They can go right in their own backyard to see a larger-than-life version.
Officials from the West Volusia Artists and West Volusia Audubon unveiled a new scrub jay mural on May 19 in downtown DeLand, a city known for its collection of vibrant murals. The scrub jay mural is on Artisan Alley in the downtown core, and features a bird inquisitively tilting its head while perched on a branch.
“This mural is painted by members of West Volusia Artists and offered as a gift to the citizens of DeLand by West Volusia Artists and West Volusia Audubon,” according to a newsletter from the West Volusia Audubon.
The Florida scrub jay can only be found in the Sunshine State, according to Volusia County government.
“It inhabits scrub oak habitats, which consist of scrubby flatwoods, sand pine scrub, rosemary scrub and coastal scrub. These are habitats with low-growing oaks, shrubs and in some cases scattered pines,” according to the county.
Those who want to see the real thing have a good shot by going to the Lyonia Preserve at 2150 Eustace Ave. in Deltona.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Artist and Audubon groups unveil new scrub jay mural in DeLand
Reporting by Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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