A Golden Balancing Act: Nerves and Needles

Sunlight streams through the needles of the old pine, dappling the forest floor in a mosaic of light and shadow. High above, perched precariously on a branch, sits my muse: a golden mouse. Its fur, the color of burnished copper, shimmers in the filtered light. But nervousness flickers in its bright eyes, its tiny whiskers twitching with apprehension.

This is the scene I’ve captured on my thick watercolor paper – a golden mouse, a West Virginian native, grappling with a delicious dilemma. The object of its desire? A plump, tightly closed pine cone, heavy with the promise of a satisfying meal. The challenge? The precarious distance between the him and his prize and the precarious exposure to any watching raptor.

Golden mice, also known as Nuttall’s cotton rats, are a fascinating part of West Virginia’s wildlife tapestry. Unlike their more common field-dwelling cousins, these little acrobats are primarily arboreal. Their nimble bodies and prehensile tails make them masters of the branches, flitting from limb to limb with impressive agility.

Here in the Mountain State, you’ll find golden mice nestled in the western half, inhabiting forested areas with sandy soils and dense undergrowth. They’re nocturnal creatures, their golden forms coming alive under the cloak of darkness. But during the day, they may venture out for a quick snack, which is exactly what my little friend seems to be attempting.

The pine cone, a symbol of resilience and nourishment, hangs just out of reach. The mouse is hunched in calculating thought as its tail acts as a fifth appendage, gripping the branch in anticipation. Its heart, no doubt, beats a frantic rhythm against its small ribs. Will it risk a such a tempting bounty, or will it have to settle for the fallen berries scattered on the forest floor?

That’s the beauty of wildlife art – capturing a fleeting moment in nature, a story told without words. In this case, it’s a story of courage, of the constant dance between risk and reward that plays out daily in the hidden corners of the forest. Whether the mouse reaches its prize or not, its determination and resourcefulness is an inspiration for any passerby lucky enough to see its struggle.

So, the next time you find yourself amidst the verdant embrace of a West Virginia forest, keep an eye out for a flash of gold high in the branches. You might just catch a glimpse of a golden mouse, engaged in its own thrilling balancing act between the big harvest and being prey.

“Golden Mouse” is a glimmering watercolor painting. It depicts shimmering sunlight as the background to the tall standing trees. It is for sale at The Lost River General Store in Lost River, WV. Let him and all the other forest creatures in my collection adorn your home!

Please feel free to use the form below for commissions or gallery appearances. I will answer your request as soon as possible.