Highlights; 7th September 2008

Bluethroat (female)

Broad Billed Sandpiper/Dunlin (First calender year birds)

Arctic Skua (First calender year)

Highlights from the past week or so included a stunning juv. Broad Billed Sandpiper, my first in 20 years or so! Striking little wader with a very distinctive kinked bill and boldly marked plumage, hopefully will not have to wait so long for my next one. Also here is a juv. Arctic Skua, a big surprise on Vaxholm where I fish quite often, only had binoculars with me, would of had stunning views had I had a telescope with me.

Bluethroats are always a feature here in September, alway stop me too, wonderful birds, Perhaps the best sketch of the week of this species posted here too...

Great Crested Grebes, Tanto; 11th July 2008

Sketches of Great Crested Grebes from today in Tanto, a park in Stockholm City on the water. Great birds to sketch, a never ending variety of shapes as thes birds constantly change posture. I find the resting birds particularily interesting as they fold their necks back, the plumes provide a great challenge to draw as they constantly change shape acording to the angle viewed.

Tantolunden; 7th July 2008

Great Crested Grebe

Starling

Redwing Fledgling

Out with the watercolurs today and made myself get out and use them in the field. Managed to muddy the palate somewhat after adding too much water, but still managed to get some interesting reults. Fledgling Redwing was a bit of a suprise as the species is not a common breeder as far as I know within city limits. Great Crested Grebe and Starling are much more abundant and make ready subjects....

Tyresö Strand; 30th June 2008

Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover Chick

Black-throated Diver Pair

Willow Warbler



Not been out enough of late, so a chance to sketch Little Ringed Plover was really nice today. An adorable looking Ringed Plover chick made a super still subject, whilst a pair of Black-throated Diver passed along the Strand later in the afternoon. A Willow Warbler also drawn over the day. Planning on getting a lot more work done over the coming months, with some canvases already formed in my mind I will be rather busy...

Angarn; 28th April 2008

Slavonian Grebes

Detail

Detail

Detail

Male Ruff


Sketches done at Angarn yesterday, mostly Slavonian Grebes. Male ruff in summer plumage also here. Black and white certainly does not do these justice and will work these into colour work in the near future...

Hawfinches; Tantolunden, 11th april 2008

An active species right now, have been able to locate two pairs of Hawfinch in nesting habitat within five minutes of the apartment. No leaves on the trees yet, so decided to take advantage of some lovely weather and nipped down today with the scope and the sketchbook. The birds did not dissapoint and I enjoyed my best ever views of the species over 90 minutes or so, really enjoying it in the process. Best of the pencil sketches above....

Ural owl Watercolour; 31st March 2008

Ural Owl Watercolour; 24x16 inches.