Plate 87 Florida Jay 

John James Audubon rendered Plate 87, "Florida Jay," capturing more than just avian likeness; he captured symbols of nature's enduring dance. The jays, vibrant in their plumage, are set against a fruiting tree, a classical symbol of fertility and abundance. The fruits are reminiscent of the Hesperides' golden apples, promising immortality, guarded, yet offered here freely by nature. This imagery stretches back to antiquity, reappearing in Renaissance paintings, a testament to nature's bounty. Consider the emotional current: the birds’ dynamic poses evoke vitality, a life force celebrated across cultures. Like the ever-returning motifs of the 'wanderweg,' these symbols echo through history, reshaped yet recognizable. They remind us that while forms may change, the human spirit's connection to the natural world remains a powerful, constant refrain.