THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

3 July 2012

PRINT GIVE AWAY AND A PAIR OF BULLFINCHES


So, just leave a comment to be entered for the draw or, if you aren't able to do that, send me an email to emparko@gmail.com with your details. I think it was a great idea of Country Rabbit's to suggest other bloggers who publicised her giveaway would be entered twice so let me know if you do and I'll do the same. You never know, I might get a few entries. Just cut and paste the above picture! I'll put the entries in a hat, or something similar next Tuesday July 10th. 

Today, whilst looking out of the kitchen window, a pair of bullfinches landed amongst the Geraniums and Solomon's Seal. I grabbed the camera and got a few decent pictures. I'm always staggered at the vibrancy of the male's colouring. Absolutely stunning.






It hasn't stopped raining all day; just varying degrees of drizzle and downpour. The poor ponies were looking a bit depressed here this morning, backs to the wind.


Some more pictures from the weekend.....


Snippet in the sedge



Moorland grasses


Snippet on a walk along the river Oke on Sunday


Ferns growing in moss on a Rowan tree nearby


Astrantia in the garden....one of my favourites

My shoulder operation date came through today. My son is just really excited that he gets to spend the night at his friend's house; his concern is touching! Good luck in the draw.......


Beautiful, if ominous sky this afternoon




18 comments:

  1. Someone is going to have a wonderful surprise if they win your fabulous drawing.
    I particularly liked the photos of the bullfinches and the beautiful stream. More Snippet pics please :-D

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    1. Snippet is on my lap as I write this and is very pleased you want to see more of him. By the way, he's FAR too big to be on my lap!

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  2. The photo of Snippet in the stream is lovely.

    We occasionally have a pair of bullfinches in the garden and I am always transfixed by their colours, even if they are eating buds on the fruit trees!

    Good luck with your shoulder surgery Em. Hopefully it is not your painting shoulder?

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    1. It's my left shoulder thank goodness as I'm extremely right handed. I think the bullfinches were eating the geranium seeds where the flowers are spent but I'm not sure. The sun is trying to break through the drizzle clouds today to no avail I'm afraid and they said on the weather this morning that this is it for July!

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  3. Beautiful collection of images here and I would love to be entered for your giveaway. I miss seeing the mares and foals every year. And good luck on the shoulder!

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    1. Thank you and of course you'll go in the draw. Only three of you so far so it's looking like good odds! I really do need a better zoom lens for birds. Have a lovely rest of the week.

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  4. Lovely photos of the Bullfinches. They are very common around here - we often see them in the garden and along the lanes when we're out and about. Wretches DO love the apple blossom buds though.

    I am sure you will be glad to get your shoulder fixed, though any hospital appointment is a double-edged sword!

    I love Astrantia too, but mine seems to have been a casualty of the winter, along with my beautiful Globe Flowers . . .

    We have lots of moss and fern clad trees like yours (similar weather I guess, and good clean air).

    I shall put a link to this on my blog now.

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  5. Looks like we crossed over in cyberspace there. Thanks for the link. At the moment that gives you a 40% chance of winning!

    Funnily enough, my Astrantia is the best it's been this year which is a surprise. We have no fruit trees here unfortunately so no buds to be eaten. They don't do very well up here as it's so extreme. We have a tiny protected patch out the back though so perhaps I'll try an apple and a plum out there; you never know....

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  6. hello Em, thankyou for signing up as a follower of my blog, came over here to have a read and your blog is lovely. wish i could draw as well as you do! Love the drawing of the hobby in the side column! Would love to be entered in your draw, what a lovely giveaway!

    Leanne x
    talesofsimpledays.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Leanne, I think you're the first person to mention the Hobby. I haven't even scanned it for printing! I did it for my partner's birthday. I've just done another couple of lamb studies after a gap of weeks and weeks today, so I'll scan it when I do them. Thanks for the feedback and I'll stick you on the draw list now. Love your blog too...x

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  7. Hello, found you via Codlins and Cream. Lovely sketches - the Lost Lamb one you've just posted is so sweet. And the foals, of course. I never seem to have the knack for photographing horses, never mind sketching them.

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    1. Hello, nice to hear from you and thank you for the comments. I think it's because they know me now that I can get so close for photographing so don't give up!

      I'll put you in the draw and thanks for visiting,

      Em

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  8. Also me please, need pictures for the cottage in Whitby, and have had a difficult time choosing but of course I just love ponies, dogs and flowers ;)

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  9. You're on the list....I'll have to start doing some dogs but I need photographic material other than Snippet. Any offers gratefully received!

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  10. Hi i found you via one of my favorite blogs Notes from the Rookery, your blog is amazing i love horses and the country side but i live in a north eastern city! your art work is amazing too
    freda

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    1. Hi Freda,

      Lovely to hear from you. My ancestors are from Northumberland and I love the NE. I'll stick you in the draw. I'm glad you like the drawings - thank you!

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. It's great to read them and I will always try to reply.