Ring-Billed Gull

Caught up with the Ring-billed Gull at Mirfield. A lifer for me and a superb bird. It obligingly sat on an island in the middle of a gravel pit for me to make quick sketches. Freezing cold but enjoyable. Wonder how an American Gull got over here?

The yellow iris was a clincher but the lighter mantle, white tertial tips, stouter and larger size than a Common Gull were noticeable. The bill was much heavier and the legs were yellow-green which ruled out Herring Gull.

Red-necked Day

Managed to see the Red-necked Grebe through the mist at Pugneys CP. 20+Great crested Grebe made its life rather difficult. Did a quick sketch of it through the scope from the small hide at 50x!! Luckily there were only two canoes on the lake and the safety boat kept away. I would think Saturday will see it getting ousted by the windsurfers and sailing boats.

Smew Time

Caught up with the Smew wintering on the River Calder today. Managed to get close enough to sketch and paint it but it was soooo cold. My hands were freezing and the brushes got a bit crackly with frost in the NE wind. It was worth it though. I usually photograph these birds but drawing from real life is much harder and a lot more rewarding.
The problem is that you can't trade your hand in for a new and better model when it won't draw properly like you can a camera or lens-yet!!!

My Studio

I've got this plush studio to work in at the moment. It's got a window, a roof and a howling NE wind, but at least its under cover. I've been learning how to draw with gloves on (not easy).

Bought a Moleskine Watercolour sketchbook and its the best I've ever used.

The reserve my studio window looks out on is part of a country park in Wakefield. It's been graced with a Ring-necked Duck for a few weeks now. This yank bird is a bit of a 'Jack the Lad' with the ladies but got his come-uppance yesterday when he displayed to a female Pochard who instantly jumped on him and gave him a good beating-up!!

Pugneys hobble

Managed to hobble to Pugneys Country Park hide now and spend a lot of time sketching any bird thst comes into view. We have been blesses with a drake Ring-necked Duck for a few weeks now and managed to sketch it a time or two.

The Goldeneye have started their fantastic display but remain at range. I love drawing what I see through the scope but it's not easy as the birds have a habit of moving!! I used to draw from my photos but I now find that sketching and painting from real life is more rewarding - and harder.

What's afoot!

Since damaging my foot I've been unable to carry the heavy photography kit so I've got the sketching kit and telescope out again until it gets better.

I fastened the hide clamp onto the windowsill and can sketch birds at the garden feeders. Not done much drawing for a year or so so I'm very rusty.

The view from my garden includes an ash tree and it's surprising the different birds that land on it . 50x magnification gets me into the tree with them That's the beauty of a telescope.