Herons in Hyde Park

Walking through Hyde Park yesterday evening I came across these fine fellows. Standing stock still like stone statues. Oddly placed in the formal flower beds, it was hard to tell if they were real or not until, after several moments of standing completely motionless, one of them suddenly raised its long neck and took flight. What a graceful sight to behold - and what an impressive wing-span!



The Grey Heron (Ardea Cinerea) is the largest bird in Europe and a migratory bird here in Britain, which made it all the more of a delight to see them. They were completely oblivious to the curious onlookers they attracted and the noisy traffic hurtling along South Carriage Drive.

Apparently they stand still in order to stalk their prey but as they feed only on fish (and there were none to be found in the gardens!) I presume they must have already caught their supper in the nearby Serpentine lake and were gathering together to settle in for the night (unless, being as they were only two minutes away from, and all facing, Knightsbridge, who knows? Perhaps they had set their beady sights firmly on raiding the fabulous fresh fish counters in the nearby Harrods Food Hall!)

You can find out more about these wonderful birds (and hear their 'song') by visiting this excellent site:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/greyheron/index.asp#

I feel a painting coming on........

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland....

I seem to have spent days glued to my desk, either working on the computer or painting this year's Christmas card (I know know! But better late than never!) So decided some fresh air was in order and, wrapping up well (it's freezing!) took myself off for a brisk walk in the park.

Every year, around Christmas time, part of London's Hyde Park is transformed into a festive fun fair complete with it's own 'London Eye' or Ferris wheel, skating rink, German craft market, hot-food and mulled wine stalls, beer tents and rides. It's not only a fabulous spectacle but a brilliant day/night out, to suit the whole family. I Arrived just before dusk:

But it was when night fell that the magic really began:




























































































I made a detour on my way home, via Oxford Street (recession? What recession?!!!)
and thought, especially if you live a million miles away, you might like to see the 'illuminations'. Here's one, of the famous Selfridges Store:
















Inside, there is a fabulous art installation reaching up through the many floors:

And just one more:

















I'll save the rest for another time.......



ART NEWS:

Some news just in: I just heard that The National Portrait Gallery has acquired the famous portrait by Albert Charles Challen, of Mary Seacole, the charismatic Jamaican nurse and Crimean War heroine. You can see it HERE

And, if you're an artist yourself, this may be of interest:

'Artists from around the world are being invited to design a prestigious memorial to Mary Seacole, the Jamaican Crimean War heroine, on a Central London site. The £500,000 memorial is to be built at St Thomas’ Hospital, already home to the Florence Nightingale Museum......'

to read more, follow this link:'The Times'

If you want to keep up to date regularly with what's happening in the visual arts, here in London, this is another link to a great source: the Times