"Mary Elizabeth Byrd - Female Manatee"

Sculptor:  Mark Austin Byrd

Edition:  Limited to 36 sculptures
Medium: Cast bronze (also available in bonded bronze)

"This sculpture is named in honor or and in memory of my grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Byrd.  She and my grandfather, Hiram Byrd, MD, were officers of the Florida Audubon Society.  She was an avid bird watcher and dedicated her life to preserving the wildlife of Florida.  She was credited by many with the establishment of the Tamiami Preserve - the first multicounty bird reserve in Flordia - the predecessor to the Everglades National Park."       

                      .......Mark Austin Byrd

Photo below:  Mary Byrd and my father Wallace at about 8 years old, on right, Everglades