As I mentioned in my post yesterday, it's been a rather busy week with lots of appointments, hence I haven't been able to get out and about with my camera.
What I have managed to do though, was to complete my watercolour painting of a Firecrest.
Click here if you'd like to know more or to see the various stages of my painting.
It seems appropriate that I should show photographs of birds this week, as I will be taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch later today.
Anyway here's my painting... (it was rather late when I took this photo so it appears a little darker than it really is. I may take another photo when it's lighter and replace it so that you can see the real colours)
I saw a brilliant photograph on the BBC's Winterwatch programme this week, which inspired me to want to paint a Firecrest.
(Credit: Photo by Ian Redman)
I've also managed to snatch a few pics of some of my bird visitors, but I hope to see far more later when I fill up the feeding stations.
Unfortunately, this shot of the Bluetit was taken through my kitchen window.
We are lucky to have three Greater Spotted Woodpeckers around our garden... there used to be four, but I'm not sure what happened to the fourth.
Best not dwell on that.
If you are taking part in the bird count... good luck and I hope you have lots of amazing visitors.
Have fun.
Once again I'm linking up with Photalife
and Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
If you'd like to see lots of more great photography or art, then just click on the links above.
If you'd like to see lots of more great photography or art, then just click on the links above.
Thanks for visiting my place.
I'm aware that not everyone loves art and birds so I promise to bring you something a little different soon. Like for instance the two foxes frolicking and having fun in the field next to our garden this afternoon. They were completely oblivious to me watching them.
Could this be the start of spring shenanigans?
Enjoy your Sunday and I hope to see you again soon.
You do so well at capturing the birds, this is the weekend to be out spotting them. Great drawing too, I'd so proud to be able to draw like that.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fiona, I've completed my bird count and sent the results through to the RSPB, so that's my bit done.
DeleteI only started drawing and painting a few years back when I suddenly realised I missed it whilst I was busy bringing up a family.
Now it's time I got back to it.
What a beautiful painting of the Firecrest and love the photo that inspired it too :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Louise... it was a fantastic photo wasn't it? I live in hope that I might be able to take something like that one day.
DeleteYou are so talented! I shall be doing the Big Garden Birdwatch today but the last two have been complete washouts! Not a bird in site. i am sure they know I'm watching #MySundayPhoto
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your compliment. I did my bird count yesterday and it was quite successful. I counted 58 birds in all with 14 different species. I've just entered the count into the RSPB website, so that's me done for this year.
DeleteI'm sorry about your previous years, but hopefully this year will be a success. My birds were aware of me to begin with, but it was rather chilly here and I think because I was so still they wanted food more than to fear me.
What a fab painting! I was always terrible at art, much to my regret, but I love that all three of our kids love to both draw and paint.
ReplyDeleteWell Tim... art is in the eye of the beholder. You should join in with your kids just to enjoy the process. You never know you may actually like what you produce. It can be so relaxing and I'm sure your kids would love you participating :D
DeleteDenise...All I can say is absolutely stunningly gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing artist!!!
I'll never tire of your art nor your birds! These photos are so beautiful~
Aww don't Jan... you'll have me blushing!
DeleteIt is lovely to receive such positive compliments because like most artists I'm so bothered what people might say. I do love to draw and/or paint though, so I'm learning to ignore my negative voice.
How beautiful, what an amazing picture. You're clearly a very talented artist. #mysundayphoto
ReplyDeleteThank you so much John. I appreciate your kind words :D
DeleteThis is amazing Neesie, you are so talented. xx
ReplyDeleteOh Cathy you are too kind. I have to say I'm loving all these positive compliments about my art.
DeleteI love your watercolour. It's very good. I didn't know that that's what those birds were called!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jacq, I had never heard of the Firecrest until watching the BBC Winterwatch programme. The photograph was just the inspiration I needed to get my paints out once again.
DeleteBeautiful photos, even the kitchen one. It's as if they don't mind being photographed! That painting is so good too x
ReplyDeleteI suppose they are so used to me popping in and out to the feeders. Some mornings they land in the tree right next to where I'm filling the seed holders. Who knows maybe one day I might actually get them to feed out of my hand :D
DeleteLovely photo, I am very impressed with your painting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up
Thanks Darren... a little painting in between taking photographs keeps me sane and out of mischief! Thanks for hosting and I hope you have a great week ahead.
DeleteWhat a lovely painting, you are very talented!
ReplyDeleteLove the snaps of the birds in your garden, I've managed to get a few pics this week too :) x
Thanks Jayne, I'm blushing with all of the lovely comments about my painting. I too have managed to capture some more images whilst carrying out the RSPB Garden Bird Count.
DeleteI'll look forward to see your photos soon
You're very talented x
ReplyDeleteThank you she says blushing. I had a fun time painting it.
DeleteThis is just brilliant, I wish I had half your talent! :)
ReplyDeleteAww bless you Lisa, that's very kind of you.
DeleteWhat an amazing painting! Wow!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nan, you're very kind. I had two enjoyable days painting him.
DeleteYou are lucky to have so many wonderful birds Denise and you painting - fabulous. Now I have to go have a peek at the stages of making this piece of art work!
ReplyDeletesandy xx
Thanks Sandy, I feel my feeding stations (three separate bird tables and seed holders dotted about the property) have made a huge difference since we moved back here. I counted 58 birds in all with 14 different species yesterday as I completed the RSPB Big Garden Bird Count here in the UK. I've just entered the count into the RSPB website, so that's me done for this year.
DeleteHi there - saw your blog when I was at Jan's 'All Mingled Together' so thought I'd hop over and pay a visit.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see your painting and the photo's too.
All the best Jan
Well hello Jan, I'm glad that you popped over to my place. I hope you enjoyed your visit.
DeleteAll the best to you too
so beautiful! Nice to see the finished work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine, I wasn't sure about posting the painting again, but thought it might be interesting for some that had seen the work in progress.
DeleteWow, I am so impressed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Latane, I appreciate your kind words.
DeleteHave a great week
Oh what a gorgeous bird painting, I love it! Your photos are so sweet too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa, I'm thrilled with everyone's reaction to my painting. I know I certainly enjoyed painting him, so maybe that's come across in the painting.
DeleteWow Denise...so beautiful and enchanting..what a sweet and gorgeous soul! Your painting is awesome and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos too..so wonderful to see these little sweet birds!
Happy Sunday Sketches
Victoria #7
Thank you so much for your lovely comment Victoria. Your words mean a lot to me as I often struggle with my loud negative voice. I really enjoyed painting him, so it's lovely to hear peoples praises.
DeleteHappy Sunday Sketches to you too.
how can anyone not love birds? :D
ReplyDeleteI know it mystifies me Jennifer, but I was aware that my posts seem to have a common theme of either artwork or birds.
DeleteI do actually know of someone that freaks out if a bird comes near her... especially if it flaps around her!
what a pretty bird!! your watercolor is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you... it's always great to receive positive comments, especially about my artwork.
DeleteThis is wonderful. I admire anyone who can paint and draw birds. I keep thinking that will be the next thing I try to learn.
ReplyDeleteThank you Paula. I very often struggle to pick a subject to draw/paint. I adore having so many fantastic birds around our property, so I presume that it's only natural that I would try to capture them. I actually enjoyed painting this one, and now I'm thinking of painting another bird soon!
DeleteYou have some colorful and handsome visitors. I haven't noticed many birds lately although my aunt said a red hawk tried to pick up a squirrel in her front yard, but the squirrel was too fat and it got dropped. Sure enough, there's a scar on the fat squirrel's back.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up a Red Hawk Jeanna, because I'm not sure I've ever seen one before. It's not surprising that you haven't seen many birds lately if there's a hawk in the area. I know when we have a Sparrowhawk lurking because all the birds disappear.
DeleteThat's one lucky squirrel and just image the story he can tell when he gets home!
Gorgeous painting of our feathered friend and lovely photos ~ thanks,
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely week ahead ~ ^_^
Thank you Carol. I wish you a lovely week and weekend too
Deletethe firecrest is a real beauty and so quick it is hard to even see it. Love the artwork.
ReplyDeleteI'd never even heard of it, never mind seeing one, so it was new to me. I couldn't resist trying to paint him.
DeleteHello Neesie, I'd missed this post so was glad of the link in your PPF post.
ReplyDeleteYour Firecrest finished beautifully. So many colours! I can see why you were inspired to paint this little one. Small birds especially endearing and I can see your love of them in your wonderful art. Cheers now :D)
Weve been missing all the birds around here. Love the painting too
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late comment! Been a busy week! #mysundayphoto Martyn