 The artist spends some time fly fishing for snook on the Myakka River. His love for the Outdoors lures him to some remote areas that need to be both respected and protected. |
 Mike Kessler, the director of the Florida Wildlife Art Exposition, and the artist. Ernie's artwork was featured to help promote the 11th annual show for 2004. |
 Simmons took this photo of a Henslow's Sparrow during the 2006 Audubon Christmas Bird Count at The Brooker Creek Preserve in Pinellas Co. It was found by a serious birder in his group. Ernie is not a serious birder; he doesn't even have a life list, but he did enjoy getting out for a day of bird watching with his long time friend and fellow naturalist Jeanne Murphy . This may be the only Henslow's Sparrow ever photographed in Pinellas County. |
 I spent some time the summer of 2006 with my good friend Charles Rowe, working in his studio. Chas has a great studio,and he let me set up a place to paint. When we get good weather we launch the boat and take photographs on many of the great rivers in his area. |
 My good friend Richard Sloan died in March of 2007. I was fortunate to have had him as a friend. He has mentored me and critiqued my work since I was 14 years old. We met in Palatine, Ill. in 1971, and he took the time to look at a few of my bird paintings. Our friendship and his lessons lasted a long time, and I never imagined as a kid one day I would be set up next to him at a national wildlife art show. |
 The judges hold up score cards at the 2007 Federal Duck Stamp Contest held at Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. Ernest C. Simmons' Pintails placed 9th out of 246 entries. |
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