Geese in Bed

Having been hospitalised for six weeks after my accident, I'm now making a good recovery and hope to be walking again in the next week or two. For now, I am sketching in bed and planning a new, bird-themed collection!

Sketching with pens

The goose is one of hundreds I photographed, while we were on holiday at Dunster Beach last September. He was making a display of himself in the sunshine after they all landed as a flock. Each morning they would land in small squadrons until hundreds of birds were gathered on the lake. They chased about for an hour, cackling, gossiping, socialising. Presently they fell to preening, and washing, and then dozed peacefully for the rest of the day.When evening came, they took an hour or so to form again into their groups, tension gathering. Suddenly as if on a secret signal, they began to lift into the air, group by group, a cacophony of honking and the tremendous beating of wings. I stood on the bridge each night and watched them leave, flying so close overhead you could almost touch them. Even after they were tiny dots in the distance, their voices continued to ring in my ears. I loved it! And I wanted to create a series of paintings inspired by these wonderful birds.

Perhaps I'll start it now, from my bed! and dream of those beautiful Summer evenings as I get out my sketchbook...

Watch the geese here!