National Sparrow Day

It was National Sparrow Day yesterday so I thought I'd post this photograph. I've been under some pressure to turn the image into a painting - would be quite a difficult one to do though!

Farm Fun!

The farm event on Saturday was a great success, despite the cold. We had some 200 children and they all adored handling the animals.

There were lambs, piglets, ponies, birds of prey...

Even mice!

Penguins are B B B British!!

Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a UK overseas territory over the weekend which means you won't need a visa to visit the island's fantastic penguin colonies.

I painted these pictures after visiting the islands in 2006. King Penguins really are great fun to watch. We camped on Saunders Island, which was where the rock hopper penguins featured on BBC's Spy in the Huddle were filmed. Click here to see how the photographers got up close to film them.  We saw rock hoppers too when we stayed there. It was a great trip, we even spent Christmas day there.

There were also Gentoo Penguins on the island.

Never too young to discover a love of outdoors

My daughters, Lily, aged four, and Ruby, aged one, are becoming accustomed to joining me on my many trips to watch wildlife.

 

They take freezing cold winds and muddy fields in their stride these days and Lily has no fear when handling animals.

I think it is really important to get children used to being outdoors and have had many fun adventures introducing them to the world on their doorsteps.
Click on this link to read about their adventures: Never too young to discover a love of outdoors - Farming - Yorkshire Post

Gearing up for some Farm Fun

These lambs were born this weekend - just in time for the farm event we are holding here on March 16th.

I needed a photograph to publicise the event and was getting worried that there wouldn't be any!!! The piglets are due to be born on Tuesday and we are expecting some calves too.
The animals are part of a mobile farm which The Purple Pig Company will be bringing to the gallery for the family farm day on March 16th.
I hope lots of families will enjoy this outdoor event. I thought it was time I did something to support the National Trust's campaign to reconnect children with nature.
The Trust's research into how British children are growing up disconnected from wildlife and the countryside prompted me to remember how as a child I spent most of my time out of doors, watching wildlife, fishing and ferreting.
Click here to read my latest column in the Ryedale Gazette & Herald on how few children nowadays are permitted the freedom I enjoyed as a child.

The girls and I had a great time getting these publicity shots! Although once or twice that old saying 'never try to be photographed with animals and children' crossed my mind!!!!

Choose her something special this Mother's Day

I'm offering 10% off all my products for Mother's Day this year. All you have to do is type LOVEUMUM in at the checkout when you shop at my online store. Here are just a few great gift ideas.

Normally £12.95 this is one of a wide range of fine bone china mugs. Click here to pick out your mum's favourite bird or animal so that she can wake up to coffee everyday and think of you.

This limited edition print measures 30x21cm and is usually £45. Click here to buy and don't forget to type LOVEUMUM at the checkout to claim your discount.

These mixed packs of cards are blank inside and make wonderful presents. Click here to view the complete range.

This limited edition print of a long tailed tit perched on catkins measures 15x30cm and costs £45 loose or £75 framed.

Or how about this limited edition print of a wren on cherry blossom. It measures21x30cm and is normally £45 loose or £75 framed.