Wise Woodpecker!

Whilst the cold snap has brought the birds into our gardens in increasing numbers, it has also brought the predators - among them the ever-controversial sparrowhawk.
A fast and single-minded killer, most of us are only ever aware of a sparrowhawk ambush after the event - when we spot a chilling pile of feathers on the lawn.One winter I saw a woodpecker dodge one. The incident became the subject of the painting above. For more on the story click here to link to my latest column in The Yorkshire Post.