RSPB Ynys Hir Residency 2014
August 29th
Heavy rain over the mountains, tide going out. Arrived to find a group of young Goosanders preening and snoozing on the bank, one seemed particularly tired that afternoon allowing me time to play with watercolours.
Sept 4th/5th
Gorgeous sunny weather this week. I love studying the Goosanders in particular and am always happy to find them settled along the estuary banks out of the water. I was sketching one youngster sleeping close to the rising waters edge when a young cow began approaching to rudely butt it out of this prime drinking spot. It seems any creature to be found happily situated along the edges of the estuary will often be driven off by something bigger.
It appeared a fellow Goosander some distance away had spotted this scene unfolding. There was a loud frantic clatter as this heroic Goosander sprinted across water flapping hard along the way straight to the ill fated Goosander in order to wake it up and return them safety to water. Very sweet to watch.
Sketching a pair of Mallards at the end of the day on the waters edge during the rising tide. Semi submerged, it didn't take long before the dozing female would float off several times only to be retrieved by the male. Another Mallard was floating and spinning by upstream apparently unconscious. A hard life being a duck in summer!
11th sept
Lots of commotion and bickering amongst the Canada Geese after flying in to the freshwater pools from the high tide. What a racket! Spotted three sleeping Pintails amongst the Wigeon. They did not wake up!
18th September
This view focuses purely on the mountainside without reference to the waters below or the sky above. Oystercatcher’s were flying by in a flock after the high tide had peaked and flooded the place.
Thank you Ynys Hir for a wonderful summer! A final display of work went up in the reserve centre showing my art projects development from the ground up from scribbles to oils.
Thank you Susan Cross for featuring me in your tell tale blog!
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