Drypoint etching workshop

While I continue to blog the weekend's trips I have been at work today, leading a drypoint etchung course. It's been a good few years since I did drypoint, but everyone's results have inspired me to do some more! We started by doing 7cm x 5m samples to get the feel of the technique - especially how hard to incise into the plate and how to ink up - some lovely results and this was a really helpful excercise for everyone. We then progressed to larger pieces of work. 

The trial small 7cm x 5cm pieces ...

...and my favourite 15cm x 20cm pieces. 

Love the stronger tones on the head...

This was trying to capture the old masters copper plate etching effect -
contrasting light in Cathedral Cave.

An abstract piece based on the local river. 

Cliburn Moss - Greater-spotted woodpecker

We failed to find the lesser twayblade this year - but were treated to a young woodpecker calling for food.

Cranberry.

Miltonrigg - Bird's-nest Orchid

Would we find one again? After previous year's successes we were doubtful and when there was no sign of one in its usual spot ....but then a couple of hundred metres away ....

The rare Bird's-nest orchid is apparently named as its root system is chaotic and resembles a badly made birds nest. The orchid is parasitic on tree roots and lacks chlorophyll. 

Bird's-nest orchid .....and below.....

Green-flowered Helleborine ...on its way...

Broad-leaved Helleborine...on its way.

Sanicle.

Talkin Tarn

An earlyish start to get to Talkin Tarn while it was quiet - good to see the Sword-leaved helleborine out in flower - but disappointing numbers; it is late in the season though. 

Sword-leaved helleborine ...and below.

Cygnets ...and below. 

Northern Marsh orchid.

Mallard.

Yellow-flag iris.

Finglandrigg - Marsh Fritillaries

Yesterday, on a damp afternoon, we dodged a couple of downpours and enjoyed a walk around Finglandrigg. Always a good walk as the habitats are so varied. The marsh fritillaries are now on the wing and the heath-spotted orchids are just coming out too. 

My first 'blue' damselfly photo of the year and a Mother Shipton moth.

Chimney Sweep moth.

Marsh Fritillary butterfly.....and below. 

Ragged Robin in the meadow.

Heath-spotted orchids ...and below.

Drumburgh Arts and Nature celebration

A really successful event yesterday - a pop in event to encourage people to write and create images of Drumburgh and to explore their local reserve. The hide was a hive of activity. The children enjoyed gelli printing and everyone was treated to a spectacular display by a couple of emperor moths and enjoyed listening to cuckoos. 

Sandscale Haws and Hodbarrow

On Saturday, Tom and Steve took a trip to Sandscale Haws with the main aim of seeing the rare Coralroot Orchid. This rare orchid is more common in Scotland with only a small handful of sites south of the border, however Sandscale is considered one of the best sites to see it with the National Trust providing guided trips by the wardens. With only a single grid reference in a vast dune system it's safe to say that we were very lucky to find this great little native orchid. 

Coralroot Orchid- a largely saprophytic orchid, depending on mycorrhizal fungi for its food (although unlike the Bird's Nest Orchid it does have some chlorophyll). 

Round-leaved Wintergeen, Pansy sp., Marsh Cinquefoil and Water-crowfoot sp.

Common Blue and Puss Moth. A couple of the many species seen including: Painted Lady, Small Heath, Wall, Common Blue, Dingy Skipper, Small Copper, Cinnabar, Puss Moth, Garden Tiger (caterpillar) plus some Whites. 

Dune slacks: left: the dune slack with the Coralroot, and right: the main dune slack with a small concrete structure. 

Following a Sandscale, we visited Hodbarrow Lagoon where there was a fantastic number of common, Little and Sandwich Terns. Also in abundance were Eider Ducks plus a few Tufties. 

On the lagoon barrier: Northern Marsh Orchid and Bee Orchid. In a couple of weeks the Bees will be fully out and in great abundance.

A definite highlight: a Cumbrian Spoonbill!