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RSBP Ynys Hir Mural

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  Summer time mural developed from observations through June and July 2015. I regularly visited the Domen Las hide through summer, this hide is a favourite among visitors as you never know what's going to come up and down the estuary. The hide looks out at the last big bend in the estuary before it passes between expansive bog on the south side and the foothills of Snowdonia nation park on the other towards the sea. The light has been beautifully clear a number of times with bright blue skies reflecting in the still waters below. I was able to get out on the estuary bank and onto the grassy wall that juts out into the water which was such a different experience to the confines of the hide. I had some amazing close up sights- a stoat wove in and out of the folding over hanging edges of the grassy bog, they are so tiny! Goosanders would swim by with lots of backwards glances as I would be goggling back at it- a favo...

RSPB Ynys Hir Research and Development Project. Funded by Wales Arts Council 2015

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FUNDED BY THE ARTS COUNCIL WALES. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ARIENNIR GAN GYNGOR CELFYDDYDAU CYMRU. PROSIECT YMCHWIL A DATBLYGIAD Ynys Hir RSPB reserve is situated along the Dyfi estuary in the heart of mid-west Wales’s Dyfi biosphere, a landscape teeming with life and breath taking views that are everyday transformed by changing light, weather and tide, a speciality of being close to sea! I watched the hills rapidly turn green during Spring after a very wintery landscape of rusty oranges, purple-reds and warm browns.The light and colours through April are just spectacular, this is my favourite time of the year. The Dyfi valley, still with its dry reed beds and bare branches, creates a soft back drop of subdued ochres and earth colours setting off  the luscious green vibrant buds of new life. The light is perfect too, with the sun not too high in the sky yet. Journal...

RSPB Ynys Hir Residency 2014

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                        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...