Tag: nest

Dry point etching

One of the things that happens when you are required to spend a lot of time hanging around the art room at school,  all in the name of work – is that my hands get itchy. I’m happiest working side by side with students. Lucky me struck a quiet week and a generous co-worker, who suggested, ‘make one!’

So I did.

The last time I did this I was 14, with a completely and fairly permanently stoned teacher assisting the process. Needless to say, whatever we churned out was fine by her. I carved out a giraffe. I was a bit taken by spots and twisty long necks back then.

By the time I had printed out some images today I felt a little bit calmer, a little bit wiser and a little bit taller. Another thing I can add wholeheartedly to my resume, ‘fully competent in the process of dry point etching.’

 

Printed in brown – black looked best. Discoveries made through repetition.

 

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The nest {making, collecting, treasure}

We made a nest, from silver birch twigs.

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We went walking to collect materials to weave within the birch. A piece of electrical wire was found, a bright red strand. This was woven through the twigs with great skill. We decided birds are very clever, they don’t have two hands to bend, twist and manipulate the twigs into the right place.

Just a beak. No opposable thumbs.

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Henry decided the birds would be more comfortable sitting in feathers from our chickens bottoms, rather than scratchy sticks. So, we gathered them up, along with violets and jonquils – (a sort of bird aromatherapy, if you like) and placed them in our nest.

Funnily enough no wayward birds arrived to take advantage of this ready made haven.

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Regardless of this, we now have bird nesting skills. Something to add to our can-do list.

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Today’s treasure {collecting, treasure}

Its Spring now. We are 12 days in. Thank goodness! My 67 silver birch trees are doing their very best to bud. I cannot wait to hear the wind swooshing through the leaves…

I took a few pictures today of the little treasures I have recently come across.

The tiniest of bird bottoms must have sat in here, with her equally tiny eggs.

She’ll be shocked to see her nest didn’t stay attached to the tree branch through our Winter – I only hope the bird in question realises this before she arrives ready to lay her eggs. She has a lot of work ahead of her! This knowledge has kept me awake at night for the last month.

Hurry birdy! Grab some twigs! You can have some of my hair!

Next is the Sea Urchin Family.

I found these 4 washed up on a beach after a storm.

I know! I know! You are meant to leave them at the beach.

They are gone. They died. So, I took their old houses home with me.

I will love them as if they were my own…

Then there was today.

The wicked puppies, Little Mister and I set off for a Spring time walk.

(This was actually taken post walk, to be absolutely fair.)

Look what treasures were waiting for us! Little Mister said this was the best day ever. It was. The puppies were bouncing through the long grass. Little Mister felt like part of The Famous Five diving through vines, bushes and long grass. And enough cockatoos had dropped stark white feathers which kept the Little fellow very busy. So, with full hands we returned to take a few photos of our loot.

A very happy boy. This my friends, is treasure.