As I captured the image of the newly fledged peregrine cautiously stretching it’s wings and hesitantly launching itself from the top of Chichester Cathedral I believed that time would strengthen. Sadly, we are now mourning the demise of BL-80.

This Monotype was created at around the time she was euthanased due to a problem with the sheaths of her feathers.  Although I was unaware at the time, I believe it captures the ephemerality nature dictates.  The contrast of strength and delicacy in mark making, symbolising the power and fragility of the young falcon.

Select this link to view more images  https://ksswann.com/insight-a-glimpse-of-the-chichester-peregrines/

Using illustrations by R.A.Richardson from a 1952 copy of The Pocket Guide to British Birds this collage represents the 67 species on the Birds of Conservation Concern (Bocc 4) Red List.

Displayed in a box akin to a museum drawer the collage reminds us how close we are to losing what we have. In the words of the poet John Clare ‘…I love to see the nightingale in its hazel retreat & the cuckoo hiding in its solitudes of oaken foliage & not to examine their carcasses in glass cases…’

Red List II and other works will be on display at Chichester Library (PO19 1QJ) 12th-17th February 2018.

…can only be maintained if we work together.

Hope

Deep within the core of hope is the belief that things can change. Seeing endangered green turtles in Hawaii motivated me to focus my art in sharing that message on behalf of nature by raising awareness of the individual’s impact on the environment.

Take a look at the link to the Wellcome Collection below and submit your own images and thoughts.

https://sharingnature.wellcomecollection.org

A new print emerges as the daylight increases but will we see the beloved turtle dove again in our land?

Turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur) have suffered a 91% UK population decline since 1995. As Europe’s only long distance migratory dove they are ecologically unique. After wintering on their non-breeding grounds in Sub-Saharan West Africa they spend just a third of the year on their breeding grounds in Europe.

http://www.operationturtledove.org

In the words of Emily Dickinson:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers \ That perches in the soul