On Saturday we got out for a good walk on the Aran Ridge in Southern Snowdonia - I've walked this ridge a few times before but always in miserable weather and have never got a proper view, just a couple of glimpses so I was hoping this time I'd get the view I'd always missed before. Luck was with us and even though it was a bit cold and very windy, it didn't rain! and the clouds stayed high enough to give us a view! All the following photos are taken by Gary.
Looking back towards Aran Benllyn
The lovely cairn on the ridge between Aran Benllyn and Aran Fawddwy with Creiglyn Dyfi below
A very friendly sheep
Holly loves walking especially when there's lots of opportunities for swimming and fetching sticks from water - here she is diving into Llyn Pen Aran to fetch her stick
I'm still painting the birds that visit the garden and the latest is a quick watercolour sketch of the all too familiar wood pigeon - they are common visitors and make me laugh perched on the top of the feeders while the smaller birds flit around them. I love their repetitive soft cooing song cooooo cooo cu cu coo coooooo cooo cu cu - I know some people find it annoying, but I find it really soothing and often find myself cooing along with them! Anyone else do that or is it just me?!
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| Wood Pigeon © Sharon Whitley |
Hope you're all having a wonderful day/night!
Enjoyed. like the bird, like the little glimpse of where you walked.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Anthony, thanks for commenting
DeleteThe photos are fab!
ReplyDeleteLove your painted pigeon too xx
thanks Pat he's only small painted on a scrap of watercolour paper, I might do a bigger one
DeleteWhat gorgeous photos and such a lovely place. There is something about mountains, they seem to bring out the artist in us. Like your painting, and hope that Sparrowhawk returns.
ReplyDeleteThere certainly is something about mountains, I love being up there - I've been keeping a look out for the Sparrow hawk but no luck seeing him so far!
Delete....also looking forward to the Sparrowhawk painting Sharon.
ReplyDeletehopefully before the end of the week Pete - hope I see the real thing again first!
DeleteBrilliant photos - especially the action shots of Holly!
ReplyDeleteCan't stand the irritating call of woodpigeons - especially at 5am when they seem at their most vocal in our garden!!
Haha I know many people find it irritating, in fact I think most people do - I'm in the minority here I think!
DeleteAt the risk of sounding patronising, Sharon, your blog is going from strength to strength ... such a rich balance of narrative, photographs and paintings, really attention getting/keeping. You'll have to send some articles off to magazines ... particularly with your bird series which I think are totally brilliant!
ReplyDeleteHolly's my sort of dog.
John that's not sounding patronising at all and is a lovely thing to say, I might just do that when I've finished the bird series, really glad you're enjoying the blog
DeleteVery lovely photos from your hiking trip, especially those of the two main characters :) I like very much the colors in the pigeon painting with its subtle transitions. Have a nice week, Sharon!
ReplyDeletethanks Blaga, you have a nice week too!
DeleteAren't those sparrow hawks a delight? There's something spectacular about watching them hunt and they seem to get attracted by the birds congregating at feeding stations. Love the pigeon, another fine addition to your bird collection.
ReplyDeletethanks Mick and yes I was thrilled to bits to see the sparrowhawk although I've got mixed feelings about him going after my little garden visitors, but that's definitely what's attracted him, he was sat watching the feeders like a hawk lol!
DeleteStunning photos and your wood pigeon is fabulous - I think I prefer it to the real thing though! Much quieter! Looking forward to seeing your sparrowhawk too. I love them. one visits our garden every so often too.
ReplyDeleteyes I'm looking forward to painting a sparrowhawk although I'm struggling with a reference photo as Gary hasn't got one so if anyone reading this has a sparrowhawk photo they don't mind me painting please let me know!
DeleteAmazing photos! Breathtaking. I like the birds of your blog, the latest one is very special. Thank you for following, for your attention and your art.
ReplyDeletethank you Irina, glad you enjoyed the photos and the birds, thanks for dropping by!
DeleteHi Sharon, I love the 'woodies' too, they make me chuckle with their antics particularly in spring with their little bowing and scraping dance. They seem such expressive birds to me. You've captured their character and the colours of their plumage really well in your painting. Love it!
ReplyDelete