0901 Cheeky Chappies (Blue tits)

Artist Code: 0901. Completed May 2009. Original SOLD.  Water colour on Aquarelle Arches 100% hot pressed cotton rag paper. Unframed size12″ x 16″. Framed size 22” x 18” 

 SOLD – Private Sale May 2010

Many thanks to my neighbour, Dave Oates, whose resource photograph (right top-most tit) provided the inspiration for this work entitled ‘Cheeky Chappies’. I saw such a tit-gathering down Royston Lane, Comberton, whilst on one of my village walks; they were all perched or flitting amongst the alder catkins. I had never noticed until this year how green and knobbly alder catkins are, and was fascinated by the red-brown branches of ‘new’ growth contrasting with the dark brown of last year’s cones and cone-bearing branches. Blue tits will always be the cheekiest little birds you will see, so the title is very apt!

Poem:

Whilst strolling down our Royston Lane
Diverting from the street of main
No people here to stop and speak
Only alder tall and sleek,
When all at once a twittering sound,
then Cheeky blue tits all abound.