Biscay Bonxie

Mono print of a lone Great Skua low over the oily dark waters of Biscay. First attempt for a series of prints on birds and cetaceans seen from the bridge of Pont Aven (Portsmouth - Santander ferry) whilst on our annual marine mammal surveys for ORCA. The inspiration being the depth of space, darkness, light and elements that engulf the ocean-goer. Massive?...re. V&A Chinese woodblock (02.01.12)

Building Wigeon Flocks

Porthmadog cob stretches North to south, spanning the Glaslyn estuary, carrying main road and ffestiniog light railway. The East side of the cob looks over tidal lagoons and up river towards Moel Siabod; on the other side of the Railway is the West and saltmarshes exposed to Cardigan bay and its relentless onshores. The lagoons and saltmarsh hold large numbers of wintering waterfowl including whooper swan and pintail, today the main event was a flock of several hundred wigeon in eclipse.

East: On sunshine and cloud day, focus here was on light from cloud breaks and colours in landscape. Constant change has meant this study has not been comprehensive. On flooding tide, restless flocks take off in splashing waves filling the air and circle across and above the mountain background. Limiting palette further will help capture atmosphere in future, as well as larger works and charcoal studies. Low tide best for birds and composition. (cb, cr, rs, cy, az mainly and introduced um for heavier tones in foreground as experiment) Palette needs work.

West: Exposed to the building onshores and looking into the sun back-lighting the flooded marsh and swirling flocks of wigeon erupting and settling from out of view within the tussocks. A more exciting study, exposed, elemental full of movement and rhythm with rapid flight of overlapping flocks, crosshatching of wind stirred water, bright water contrasting against inky black marshland silhouettes that switched to rich purples, green and brown as the clouds blew over obscuring the sun and darkening the sea. (cb,cr,cy -sky, bu, um -fore plus rs and az).

Snettisham High Tide

Knot on advancing tide

Dispersing at high tide

Two sketches from Snettisham on the Wash, showing knot and other waders pushed inland by advancing tide and dispersing at high tide when the mud flats are completely covered. My first visit to Snettisham, not even sure whether the wader event, when tens of thousands of birds come to roost, would take place. From out of sight the tide advances rapidly and not knowing what to expect I had to choose my position and what to work on, then stick with that idea. I chose to describe the overall scene; big sky, bird flocks Peter Scott style, painting in the landscape before the birds arrived and then quickly marking in the formations as they happened. There is also scope for drawing closer, the dense flocks picking out individuals and movement of the bustling numbers as they run, take off and roost. (cb, cr, cy + wh in sky - wh allowing wet on wet to flow and describing the slight milky colour of the light. Ny + az dropped in on horizon. Lr, cb + az in places, not quite right for sand perhaps. Birds; darks of cb + bs mainly -going greener/bluer in distance, darker for densest flocks of knot. Species - bt godwit, redshank, knot, dunlin, little stint, golden plover, grey plover, shelduck, curlew, egret. Possibly enough info to develop in studio. Next visit fast drawings through optics of close action for multi plate print - using ghosts to describe movement.

Dyfi Ospreys

Three remaining Ospreys on the Dyfi, two visible. I believe bird on left is the young female named Leri. On nest, birch and telegraph pole. http://www.dyfiospreyproject.com

Dyfi Osprey

All have fledged and female already gone. Not always using nest site so more patience required, in order to see fledging practicing flight or male returning with mullet held head on; always cries and high pitch screeches help to locate the birds. Male less willing to share catch now, with young constantly begging. After slow day and sleep in car, last light offered more productive behaviour as male brought large mullet to platform - watching them feed with twisting ripping motion until light failed. rts for artificial light in this location offering night painting possibilities, likely composition with more flight studies if time permits.Behaviour studies - usual approach, careful timing ... washes rich either bs/um or r/b/y offers plenty of possibility for subtle browns of plumage ranging from purple hues to grey to rich umber. No Manx on coast to see.

Craig Y Aderyn - Prehistoric Roost

Cliffs at the widening of a particularly rugged valley, used to meet the sea, but now stand two miles inland from the coast. An ancient landscape given resonance through the calls of those prehistoric looking cormorants that still roost/nest on the cliff today. Not a lot of birds around today, not sure if cormorants roost here in large numbers all year (waited til dusk) - only a few juvs on the cliff, also choughs and a peregrine. Nearby clear streams with good views of trout.cb,rs,cr + bs etc (also ny in fore and sky); dropped in heavy washes mid-fore ground. Back hills several separated washes allowed to run in completely. rts, for larger canvas close and below, similar colour approach making use of bold form, hopefully birds will roost. Good light around 20:00, but 16:00 onwards fine.

Manx Shearwater & Dyfi Osprey

A good combination today, Manx Shearwater passage/feeding close in off Ynys Las on the morning spring high, followed by Ospreys on the Dyfi this afternoon. The Dyfi Ospreys have reared 3 chicks which is outstanding for this species in general let alone such a young pair breeding here for the first time. They are using a manmade platform nest erected by MWT volunteers. With one bird fledged the other two are close, exercising their wings and building up strength. Albeit fascinating to watch the intimate lives of such magnificent and rare raptors, I am drawn back to the excitement of the Manx Shearwater passage at Ynys Las where groups of thousands passed this morning. Half way down towards Borth a large group rafts close in (LT), their silhouettes black and crisp against the low light, so I can make out every curve of their buoyant form. Further out the action continues as groups mass and disperse to form a long sinuous swarm sifting over the water, presumably echoing a similar momentum in the shape-shifting shoals beneath them but out of our vision. Hard to predict Manxies, usually HT brings them close in, but theory that they feed close in here at low tide also, morning and evening seem best and on calm days, pos prey fish shelter in warmer coastal water overnight/am, sometimes birds just not here for no particular reason. RTS for Manx seascape, feeding in distance and passing close in, ref sketches today.