Birds of Prey Day

Today's painting is of a Harris Hawk which I painted back in January.

Harris Hawk 

I love seeing birds of prey hovering overhead while I'm out walking or spotting one sitting in a tree or on a fence post, though they've usually flown away by the time the camera comes out!   There's nothing better than seeing them in the wild but you tend not to be able to get that close - something to do with not having wings! so we have to admire them from afar.  So when the opportunity arises to see these beautiful birds up close, well you can imagine, I jumped at the chance.  I live fairly near the Duke of Westminster's Estate at Eaton Hall and there are a few Garden Open days hosted there each year.  I went to one last month and another today, the main attraction for me being the Falconry displays held by Terry Large.  Terry is so accommodating and both the times we've watched his shows he has invited photographers to come inside the display area where the birds are perched so that they can get excellent close up shots.  You can imagine how delighted Gary was being a wildlife photographer!  Last time he even placed his beautiful barn owls into a nearby oak tree to get that perfect 'natural' shot.

This is on my easel ready to paint, but not sure yet whether I'm going loose or more detailed, I'll just see what the brush decides once I make a start!

It was a real treat to get to hold a Harris Hawk after having painted one back in January. Gorgeous birds.

and one of my favourites, the Eurasian Eagle Owl, stunning birds!!

Regular readers of this blog may remember the painting I did last month of an Eagle Owl with very starey eyes! LINK HERE.

I'm hoping to get the barn owl painting done in the next few days, although I've got loads of mundane stuff to do as well like, shopping for school uniforms, ironing, housework, cleaning windows etc etc. but hopefully I'll  find time!  It's such a nuisance when things like that get in the way don't you think, but it has to be done I suppose!

Before I finish this post, I'd like to say a big thank you to all of you who commented on my last post - I found all the lovely, supportive comments and congratulations so heart warming and kind, thank you so much, I really do appreciate it, and that goes for anyone and everyone who takes time to comment on my ramblings!