My Sunday Photo... One Shot!

When you read the title of my Sunday Photo... 'One Shot' you might think that I'm referring to my photography, but sadly in this case I'm not.

(Please if you can spare the time, read until the end of the post)

Yesterday, I was woken by an explosive gun shot and I immediately jumped out of bed. 

(This was quite a feat as it wasn't even 6am) 

It is incredibly light here at the moment with the summer solstice, so we can clearly see everything throughout the whole night. 

To my horror I saw two gunmen who had killed a deer.

They put on blue plastic gloves and gutted him there and then... slinging his limp dead body into the back of a truck!

They were quite a distance and my phone camera couldn't really capture this horror... which is probably for the best. 

As I watched through the binoculars a tear ran down my cheek.

This beautiful gentle beast was just minding his own business and then some mindless cretin decided to end his life. 

I'm sorry if I am going on here, but the day before I had taken so many photos of this buck and felt very privileged to have him visit.

To say this event spoilt my morning.
I felt sick and couldn't contemplate eating breakfast.

I can understand the need for culling where necessary, but there is absolutely no need here at the moment. The most deer I've ever seen together were four and that was only once.

As the truck drove away I snapped their photo, but once again it's blurred.

It was later in the morning that my son came to me whispering... "he's back"

I couldn't believe it... they hadn't killed this stag, but another deer. 

I'm still terribly sad for the loss, but thankful that this stunning buck escaped the gunmen (this time!)

At least it allowed me to celebrate my 39th Wedding Anniversary with a meal later in the day.

Thankfully venison wasn't on the menu!

I'm linking up with Photalife with My Sunday Photo as usual.

Bath Time for Birds

I'm currently prisoner and house bound for a few hours in our renovated apartment, waiting for a locksmith to call. 

So I thought I'd try to use this enforced time in the most creative way that I can.

I'm going to post today (something that I haven't done for some time on a Thursday) and to try and create some artwork too. 

Wish me luck because I haven't had my head in the right creative space for a few weeks!

I think my mojo may have gone on a mini break without asking permission... well at least I hope it's a mini break and not a world tour! 

I thought I'd show you another little visitor to our place, who despite the chilly breeze blowing fancied taking a bath.

If only I'd have known I would have provided some warm water at least...but he didn't seem to mind.

 Very diligently getting into all his little nooks and crannies!

....and take a breath!

I love his little beak open in the above photo.

Just one more dive...

I think that should do it...

Hehe... cute eh?
I'm linking up with Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk
Check out some fantastic photography

Right now for some artwork.

Have a great day everyone and thanks for popping in to my place.

My Sunday Photo.... Guests Pop In

Autumn has well and truly arrived.

And so did an unexpected guest.

I walked into our garage only to find this little wren. 

He had nipped in whilst the garage door was open and had accidentally been shut in.

Also other visitors arrived... these two deer were having a tasty treat munching away in the afternoon sun.

I still have to stand and stare when I see such sights.
I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing nature up so close.

I'd often wondered how the deer would react if they came in contact with the resident fox.
Well, I actually got the answer because I witnessed a confrontation.
The deer charged towards the fox, chasing him off and soon had the field all to himself.
It was like watching our own personal wildlife programme.
Such a privilege.

As usual I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife.com
If you'd like to see lots more photos then follow the link above.

Have a great day and thanks for adding to my visitors this weekend.

I hope to see you again soon.

My Sunday Photo...Mushrooms

My Sunday Photo really sums up our current weather.

Wet and soggy, but at times warm(ish)

In fact, perfect conditions for growing mushrooms.

I can't take any credit for growing these beauties shown below because they have just appeared at the base of a tree in my garden. 

I have no idea if they are edible or not? 

I know next to nothing about fungi, so if anyone knows what this one is called and if it's poisonous I'd be really interested to hear.

I thought I'd include another photo today to show you that we are all prepared for the autumn nights...when you need a little extra warmth. 

Especially when you hear that F word for the first time...FROST!

Yep the weather forecaster said that there's a chance we might have Jack Frost come to visit us overnight... and so it starts!

I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife.com

Please feel free to pop across to see lots more photographs by clicking here

Have a great weekend and thanks for popping over to my place.

My Sunday Photo...Allium

I apologise if you've seen this photo before on my Instagram feed, but I think I may have forgotten to include it into My Sunday Photo posts.

I really like it so I thought I'd share it with you.

I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife.com

Please feel free to pop across to see lots more photographs by clicking here

Have a great weekend and thanks for popping over to my place.

My Sunday Photo...Baby Robin

Sometimes when you least expect it... up pops a wonderful surprise.

Take yesterday for instance, whilst being a contortionist crouching under our curly hazel tree to pull up weeds, a little baby robin hopped right in front of me. 

I quickly went inside to get my camera thinking that it was probably going to be a waste of time.

The robin would have moved on, but he was still there when I returned.

He wasn't in the least bit bothered by me being so close to him.

He was obviously a very switched on robin as he watched whilst I pulled and dug he waited for some tasty treats to appear. 

He wasn't in the least bit timid...I'd go so far as to say he enjoyed watching me working.

Obviously, he's not street wise yet, with being so young and as you can see from his plumage, he hasn't got all of his red waistcoat feathers yet. 

He's still a little fluffy and dishevelled.

I also don't think he's found his voice yet either....but we'll be in for a treat when he does.

As you can see he was watching me closely.

Gorgeous isn't he? 

With him being this friendly I may well manage to feed him some treats from my hand. 

Now that would be something to share.

I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife

and Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk
Please feel free to pop across to see lots more photographs by clicking here

Have a great weekend and thanks for popping over to my place.

Love Nature...PPF

Well today I'm feeling a little spaced out, as I've been prescribed strong antibiotics.

I'm not sure, but I may have made a mistake by reading the extensive list of possible side effects.

I hardly slept at all last night and my stomach is definitely off today! 

Enough of that...but I'll certainly let you know if the hallucinations kick in!

Last week I shared a snippet of my drawing, so I'm happy to say that I actually finished it and have started another. 

I can't decide whether to paint it myself or use it for others to colour and share their interpretations. 

How cool would that be?

What's your view on the colouring craze for adults?

Do you think that the craze has ran it's course?

I'm not sure if people are still interested in this creative stress reliever or not?

(Love Nature A3 Black Micron Ink Pen)

Whilst drawing I plugged myself in to some brilliant music... (basically to drown out the football commentary... with the odd expletive from my hubby) and spent a wonderful evening drawing whilst looking out over the sunset lit fields. 

I'm going to use the English Premiership matches for my creative time, because it certainly made a perfect evening for everyone.

It's a win win situation. 

Everyone is happy!

I haven't shared any watercolour paintings with you lately, so here's a painting that I created as part of Tracey Fletcher King's Delicious Paint online class.

I had such a great time, plus learning brilliant tips along the way, that I've decided I'll revisit the course...it's available for life once you enrol. 

How brilliant is that!

Tracey is an exceptional teacher and so generous with her time and brilliant talent.

If you are interested in joining in too, then here's the details.

Classroom is now open and you can enrol here... Delicious Paint

Just in case you're wondering...I'm not being paid in any way for promoting this course...not even a gold star from the teacher!

But for now I think I'm in need of a long blink...zzZZZzzzZzzz

As usual I'm linking up with the Paint Party Friday gang.

I'm always happy to see you and will hopefully pop in to your place soon.

Have a great time this weekend.

Love Nature...PPF

You'll be pleased that my Paint Party Friday entry this week, doesn't come accompanied by a long dramatic story. 

Thankfully, it's been much quieter and calmer around here.

Annie the chook, who was rescued from the 'Jaws of Death' as it was described by some, has made an incredibly recovery. 

She's eating, drinking and the limp has disappeared...she's only needing her feathers to grow back and she'll be looking like new, but with a huge story to tell at the girlies lunch.

The only thing that needs to be rectified is her egg laying...she's stopped laying, which in the circumstances is quite understandable.

She'd like to thank everyone for their concern and kind comments... but she's a little busy right now.

But I digress and as it's time for the weekly PPF get-together I better get on.

Maybe I'm delaying because I'm having to confess to yet another WIP :(
As it was International Cat Day yesterday...I decided to have a little play in my journal.

I'd like to revisit these cats on better paper soon and my lettering obviously needs masses of work.

Yesterday, I only started the drawing below, but already I'm having fun.

It covers an A3 sheet of Bristol Board paper and I'm using my beloved Micron pens.

I will certainly have a good time drawing it up now that it's all planned out.

But the fun will have to wait until later today.

We are in the process of renovating a flat in the city, that we've had rented out for over 15 years!
Yes, imagine cleaning up 15 years...I have enough if things are left 15 days never mind 15 years!

I'm trying to build up to clean the oven. 

Even when I mention it a wave of nausea hits my stomach.

But it's good to know that my drawing awaits my return.

Motivational blackmail, but it'll work...it normally does.

As usual I'm linking up with the Paint Party Friday gang.

Baby Birds About To Fledge

I shared a photo the other day of our kitchen window bird feeder, which was very popular, so I wanted to try and capture what I see numerous times a day. 

It took masses of stealth and patience.

Sitting up balanced on top of the kitchen units, squished into the corner and draped with a dark cloth...I patiently waited.

It's not like the image of a wildlife nature photographer, for sure...

...but thankfully it worked....eventually!

It's funny because I can stand at the sink working away or walking to and fro in the kitchen and the Bluetit just keeps on visiting and eating her way through our offerings. 

She's not in the least bothered about my presence. 

That is until I take hold of my camera, then she seems to become extremely shy.

Finally, I managed to capture Mum at work!

Hopefully the video will work for you.

I think her babies are nearly ready to fledge by the sounds coming from her nearby nest box.

I'm intrigued to see how many there are... who knows I might even be lucky and capture them leaving.

I'm linking up with Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk

Thanks for popping over to my place.

Enjoy your Tuesday everyone and hope to see you again soon

My Sunday Photo...The Garden Awakes.

The Easter Holiday is renowned for being the biggest gardening weekend of the year, so I thought I'd show you a little of our garden.

There are lots of activities in other parts of the garden, work in progress as they say, but thankfully this is my little bit of sanctuary.

(It's a pity that the sun wasn't shining today...typical...but it did try)

As usual I'm going to link up with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife.com

I hope you are having a fabulous long weekend... I know I will once I find those chocolate eggs!

Happy Easter to those that celebrate this holiday and for anyone else I wish you a fantastic weekend.

Thanks for visiting my place and I hope to see you again soon.

If you entered into my Giveaway draw for the Mother and Baby Giraffe watercolour print...you might like to see Muffin pick out the winning name...click the link below.

Thank you to all who entered... I'm just sorry that you all couldn't win.

Denise Allan Art

My Sunday Photo... Lovin' the Lavender

In my Friday post I featured the Agapanthus, so to keep the balance I need to mention the lavender plants that share the same border. 

When we last lived here, there were lots of lavender plants in this particular border, but they had become woody, so I decided to plant new ones to replace them. 

I must have planted over 25 new plants, which as you can see has thrilled not only me, but also the visiting bees. 

My hubby (a potential future bee keeper) has been keeping a close eye and counting them after hearing the buzzing whilst gardening. 

(I know... but he's newly retired so there's time for such activities... at least he hasn't created a spreadsheet... well not yet as far as I know).

The highest number he has counted so far, at one particular count reached 16!

I'm happy that the bees are happy... plus the wonderful lavender aroma if you happen to touch them as you walk past, is enough to knock your socks off!

As usual I'm linking up with Photalife

and Mersad over at Through My Lens

I'd just like to take a moment to thank everyone who takes the time to visit my place, especially if you leave a comment. 

I really appreciate it. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend... whether you are busy as a bee or lounging among the lavender.

Enjoy

My Sunday Photo... The Greater Spotted Woodpecker

We are having an abundance of bird visitors right now. 

I'd love to show you them all up close, but unfortunately I need to purchase a zoom lens first. 

It's been on my 'to do' list since Christmas, when I was presented with a new camera. 

One visitor that I'm particularly pleased to see returning this summer is the Yellowhammer. 

I haven't managed to obtain a decent photo yet, but here's the RSPB website if you'd like to see details plus a little video... click here

Yesterday I thought that we had lost one of our Greater Spotted Woodpecker friends, because I found one little fella on the floor looking slightly dazed. 

(I'd cleaned my windows the day before and as usual the birds seem to want to wreck my handy-work by flinging themselves straight into them, leaving a perfect imprint on the glass). 

I checked the little chap hadn't broken his neck or wing and retreated to watch, whilst ensuring that the neighbours cat didn't come calling. 

After quite some time when he hadn't moved, I thought he might need some water, so I carefully approached... which made him take fright and he flew away... off to the woods.

Note to self: Don't bother cleaning windows... that way I'm doing my bit for nature! 

That'll do for me

Here's he is or possibly one of his relatives!

As usual I'm linking up with  'My Sunday Photo' with Photoalife, Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing)and Mersad over at Through my lens

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, full of fun.

Thanks for popping by and I hope to see you all again soon.

Country Girl

When I was only eight years old, I told everyone that I was saving my pocket money for a house in the country. 

We lived in a town and it seemed really strange that someone so young should have such an idea. 

I had a piggy bank and later I progressed to a little pink bank book.

I don't remember if I ever saved very much, but I actually managed to make that purchase, although it was many, many years later.

After years of travelling across the globe, I now have my house in the country and I adore it.

It seems comforting to know that I obtained my childhood goal. 

I really am more of a country girl than a townie, but I have no idea where that idea came from.

I did find out when tracing my family tree, that my Great Grandmother was the daughter of a farmer in Scotland, so maybe it's where it comes from. 

Also my Grandmother was a great lover of nature too... so it must be in my genes. 

With that in mind, I thought I show you some country photo's today.

The following were taken whilst I was visiting some of my family down in Cheshire. 

I walked the country lanes with Muffin gazing out across the Cheshire plains to the Welsh hills.

Apparently, there was a Badger set nearby, but we never found it... which was probably a good thing.

The sky became heavy at times and we did experience bouts of thunder rain, but thankfully they disappeared quickly, leaving the ground grateful for a much needed drink.

Everything seems to have burst into life over the last week or so, now that the temperatures have started to rise.

This view is taken from across the cottage garden, where we were staying. 

It was the neighbours garden. 

I think they are into the wild nature reserve style, leaving it doing it's own thing for the local birds, bees and wildlife.

Here's a view of the cottage as the sun rose to warm us, whilst having an alfresco breakfast. 

The clematis is spectacular and reminded me of home and my own clematis, which is presently covering a fence with beautiful pink blooms.

Finally, some blossom because May is blossom month and it will fade away soon for this year.

Especially if we have a wind whistles through. 

I'm linking up today with Mersad over at Through my lens

Why not take a visit to see some wonderful photography.

Thanks for visiting my place and I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

Have fun! 

My Sunday Photo... Spring

Miraculously I believe spring has remembered us... 

She's slowly creeping in a little more each day...

As usual I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo

and Through my lens

Thanks for visiting my place and I hope you're having a wonderful weekend whatever you have planned.

Have fun!