A clattering of jackdaws ....

Thanks to Tom for the photos - I love the silhouettes and movement. They congregate in a particular tree on Singleton campus in Swansea at about 4:30 pm at the moment, before flying of to roost. The noise is spectacular!

Coledale round

How lucky were we to have a second consecutive Sunday with perfect high-level walking in the Lakes! The roads were slippery first thing so went down to Braithwaite rather than travelling too far afield. We were rewarded by another classic day - crunchy snow on the tops - paths not too bad and no wind to speak off. The Coledale round is a superb walk - 11 miles and cracking panoramic views - interesting coming off Causey Pike mind!

Left: early morning over Skiddaw; across to Helvellyn; towards Crag Hill
Right: towards the eastern fells; Blencathra; Sail 

Left: towards Grasmoor and bottom towards the Langdales
Right: back towards Coledale Hause; from Eel Crag and Causey Pike. 

Lovely icy snow on the tops.

...and who had the best of days? ....

Crinoid drypoint using the Xcut xpress.

Following our finds on Aughertree Fell Tom did this charming little drypoint print.

Inking up...

The exposure ....

The crinoids ....

Caldbeck Fells - A fossiliferous gem

Not the best of days, or the most extensive of sites ...or the most salubrious ...but a good quality of clart! Note the site is not a geological SSSI and the samples were taken as part of further geological research.

The exposure of the three yard limestone contained a good range of crinoids.

Bryozoan and solitary rugose coral (horn coral) taken down the microscope.

My favourite little brachiopod.

Sections of crinoid stalk - photographed down the microscope.

Psychedelic flower cards

Well I'm trying to get ahead with the card making ready to get on with some big oil paintings - given the weather outside these are cheerful little cards!

Solway sunset - Parton

After some rather damp weather, the forecast was better down the coast, so we headed off to Parton for some fresh air. We were rewarded with a brief but spectacular sunset.

Some of today's beach finds ...spot the uranium glass! 

Drypoint on plastic

Tom and I experimented with drypoint on thin plastic sheets....printing onto damp Somerset Satin paper and using the XPress Xcut to print before hand colouring with watercolours. I've just ordered some bigger sheets of drypoint plastic !

Fetid Iris berries.