From the sketchbook... (1 Viewer)

[buzzard12]

Dusky Thrush; Låssa

Thr highlight of the year came in the form of a siberian mega. Sweden's first Dusky Thrush turned up at Låssa, just north of Stockholm in mid-November. The bird gave me and everyone else stunning views as it fed on berries on an eastern species of fruiting tree. The bird fed amongst Waxwings, Fieldfares and a single Mistle Thrush. A seriously good looking bird, a first calender female. Some biro sketches here...

 

[buzzard12]

And and a few more here....

Seems like an age since I posted, have a lot on my plate at the moment. Work is hectic and I've taken on a swedeish language course and am taking driving lessons! To cap it all there is a Ural Owl or two about, going to try for that tomorrow, may well be an good winter coming for northern owls...

 

[Peewit]

Thr highlight of the year came in the form of a siberian mega. Sweden's first Dusky Thrush turned up at Låssa, just north of Stockholm in mid-November. The bird gave me and everyone else stunning views as it fed on berries on an eastern species of fruiting tree. The bird fed amongst Waxwings, Fieldfares and a single Mistle Thrush. A seriously good looking bird, a first calender female. Some biro sketches here...

Very nice Buzzard :t:

Great to do sketches, and simply work on those intricate details of the birds plumage - well done to you o

Regards
Kathy
x

 

[spizaetos]

Fantastic collection of fieldsketches Alan!!

Paschalis

 

[JTMB]

Outstanding group of sketches - and what an exciting opportunity to do so with a country first bird!

 

[timwootton]

Your photos of this bird were tremendous - but not a patch on these sketches. Stunning work bouncing all over the page. Art, reportage, illustration - probaby all these and more - who cares? Fabuloso is the word!

 

[solitaryVSong]

Your photos of this bird were tremendous - but not a patch on these sketches. Stunning work bouncing all over the page. Art, reportage, illustration - probaby all these and more - who cares? Fabuloso is the word!

Nice to see the photos too Alan. I held off on commenting until I could find some photos of the bird. Then Tim alerted me to the fact that I didn't have to go far to find some! No wonder it's called 'dusky.'

As others have said wonderful sketches of a unique bird. This is the time when I think anyone who does field sketches really values that ability.

 

[colleenc]

impressive sketches, and what a full plate, Swedish is a hard language...so I hear,

 

[RussB]

Great work, Alan! Thrushes are the dogs doodahs and dusky is among the most desired. I did fill my boots with them last May in Beidaihe, where there was an exceptionally late influx. These fine sketches evoke my experiences of the species back then.

Russ

 

[mattybohan]

An awesome group of sketches. Lots of personality in them.

 

[Lykos]

excellent

 

[buzzard12]

Just popped in to wish all here on the birdartforum a Happy Christmas and an inspirational 2012.--

As always the forum here has been incredible this year. Hope to try and catch up on the latest work later, been busy of late...

Working on illustrations at the moment for an upcoming book, Cape Clear Bird Observatory, 1959-2009. The book will be published next year and should be a superb read. Fifty years of daily records have now been painstakingly tapped into a computer by Steve wing, the warden and author, and these figures and graphs alone will be worth the effort. Cetaceans, Flora, Butterflies and Moths also get in depth coverage as well as the history of the island, it's people and that of the Observatory. Illustrations will be black and white, one here, the rest will be witheld until the book comes out...

On other fronts it looks as though I may have a studio to use from January-April 2012, plan to get in an get some paint under my nails quite soon, provided the viewing goes well next week

And now if you'll excuse me I'm off to check my local Gulls...

 

[TorbenBack]

Alan,

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and everyone else on this forum, from Denmark.

Glædelig Jul og Godt Nytår

Torben

 

[JTMB]

A superb illustration as usual, Alan! Merry Christmas to you as well!

 

[solitaryVSong]

Alan,

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and everyone else on this forum, from Denmark.

Glædelig Jul og Godt Nytår

Torben

And to Alan, Torben and everyone else.

That studio sounds like a great Christmas present Alan!

 

[ed keeble]

Just popped in to wish all here on the birdartforum a Happy Christmas and an inspirational 2012.--

As always the forum here has been incredible this year. Hope to try and catch up on the latest work later, been busy of late...

Working on illustrations at the moment for an upcoming book, Cape Clear Bird Observatory, 1959-2009. The book will be published next year and should be a superb read. Fifty years of daily records have now been painstakingly tapped into a computer by Steve wing, the warden and author, and these figures and graphs alone will be worth the effort. Cetaceans, Flora, Butterflies and Moths also get in depth coverage as well as the history of the island, it's people and that of the Observatory. Illustrations will be black and white, one here, the rest will be witheld until the book comes out...

On other fronts it looks as though I may have a studio to use from January-April 2012, plan to get in an get some paint under my nails quite soon, provided the viewing goes well next week

And now if you'll excuse me I'm off to check my local Gulls...

a book and studio- best wishes for 2012

that book's sounds a project alright- do you get to choose which species to do? I would insist on doing the Cape Clear Griffons whether they were accepted or not..

 

[RussB]

Book sounds a great project and will no doubt be superbly illustrated if this example is anything to go by.

Merry xmas and all the best.

Russ

 

[buzzard12]

a book and studio- best wishes for 2012

that book's sounds a project alright- do you get to choose which species to do? I would insist on doing the Cape Clear Griffons whether they were accepted or not..

I do get to chose whick species Ed, which is very nice, just have to try spread the drawings out across the book evenly...

As regards the Griffons

Small seeds...

 

[timwootton]

All the best Alan - terrific work and great news re the studio!!!

 

[colleenc]

Best to you Alan, and some great studio time ahead....can't wait to see more...