My Sunday Photo... Garden Visitors

It's a crazy time of year for some of our garden visitors right now.

The cacophony of birdsong that starts at an unearthly hour and continues to grow to a crescendo.

You are wide awake now... only to realise that it's 3.30AM!

Then as quickly as it began, everything starts to calm down and what seemed like a marching brass band marching around the premises dies to a soft melody.

Meanwhile, you are left wide away and wonder how you're going to get back to sleep, or whether you might as well start the day!

 You've a lot to do so an early start might be a bonus (yawn)

But I wouldn't change this time of year for anything.

Here's one visitor that arrived with his Misses this morning.

The Yellowhammer.

He's quite stunning, but unfortunately I was only able to capture his image through my kitchen window. As you can see he was well aware that I was there.

Here's another cute visitor... the female siskin.

I hope you like seeing some of my visitors.

Have a great Sunday everyone.

I'm linking up with Photalife with My Sunday Photo as usual.

My Sunday Photo... Peepo

Peepo...

This is cheeky Winnie, hiding in the flower border. 

She was just checking if I had any treats before blowing her cover! 

I never knew that chickens had such different characteristics and personalities.

There's never a dull moment.

I also couldn't resist showing you this gorgeous bumble bee.

I saw him on the ground (I've read that if you see a bee on the ground, it's probably in need of help) 

I put some water near him and then lifted him only my strawberry flowers. 

At first, he didn't do well... and virtually fell off the flower, but slowly as I transferred him from flower to flower he improved.

Finally, he flew off... hopefully home.

I've also taken 11 (what I think are drones) out of our house over the last few days.

That's what happens when you leave the door to the garden open.

I just hope that they haven't settled in here somewhere.

My hubby wants to start beekeeping at some stage... but I think I'm already doing my bit!

Have fun this Sunday.

Apologies if I never visited you last week. 

I'll try to do better this coming week.

I'm linking up with Photalife with My Sunday Photo as usual.

Paint Party Friday... How Now Brown Cow

Hellooo...

I haven't been partying with the PPF gang lately, but I thought it was time to get my act together and link up. 

I've been very busy, but I have managed to produce some art.

This highland cow has been evolving for quite some time now.

He/she has highlights, so I thought he/she should join in the Paint Party Friday too.

It's a practice piece before I start a serious commission.

I've bought new paints and been having a great time getting to know them.

I've had music blasting out and dancing whilst splashing about with a paintbrush. 

It's been very liberating! 

I've also been working away on my @Makeartthatsells assignment.

We are currently completing the final month of Bootcamp.

I will really be sorry to finish this class.

I think I'll be signing up for more, as there are lots to chose from throughout the year.

The sketch below was a personal one.

It's 'Ernest' my Great Granddad who was born in 1867.

As I sketched, I was lost in my thoughts about my family and it's history... 

a little like 'Who Do You Think You Are?'

For those who might not be familiar with that tv programme... it's where a celebrity traces their family roots back through the years.

I find it fascinating.

I also thought I'd use this sketch to practice my very weak lettering.

I fear now that I've plastered poor 'Ernest' on a 'WANTED' poster!

One fact that I did come across from my research notes, was that he was a 'Tole Dealer'

I had no idea what this might be... so after more delving, I found that it involves ornately decorated trays or chandeliers etc!

Who knew?

How strange especially after painting precisely that in last months assignment. 

Who knows, Ernest might have been a painter too!

I had many thoughts on how his life might had been back then. 

He actually married Mary, the daughter of a Scottish farmer, when they were both 31 years old.

I'm thinking that this was rather old for marriage back then.
Maybe that's why he is wearing a tartan tie... to impress Mary?

I also wonder why this photo was taken... was it for some special occasion?

I haven't done much lettering, but now I know that I've obviously got a lot more practising to do!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll join my over at the Paint Party Friday.

Eva and Kristin do an amazing job of sharing everyone's great artwork.

Have a great weekend.

My Sunday Photo... Flower and Fauna

I can't believe it's Sunday already! 

Does anyone else have to consult the calendar or phone to check what day it is?

I've just snapped a few new arrivals into the garden this week.

It's been a very misty morning and we've had quite a good downpour. 

The first for a good few weeks... so I mustn't complain and I'm sure the plants are happier for it.

 The raspberry canes are sprouting. 

We'll hopefully be tasting our first raspberries soon.

Here's a little sunshine or as near as we will get today by the look of it.

A gorgeous tulip

I hope you have a great Sunday.

I'll linking up as usual with My Sunday Photo

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again soon.

My Sunday Photo... Sunset

It's that time once again, when spring brings beautiful sunsets.

It's been quite a busy week... so to take a few minutes to stop and appreciate an amazing sunset was perfect. 

I thought I'd also include the obligatory blossom photo for this time of year too.

Have a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend.

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again soon... when I'm not so busy hopefully!

I'm linking up once again to Photalife with My Sunday Photo.