Tuesday 5 July 2011

A Skomer Project!

So as I have mentioned I have been fortunate enough to spend the last two months as a Long Term Volunteer Warden on the island of Skomer, off the Pembrokeshire coast, Wales.

There are two public viewing hides on Skomer, North Pond Hide and Moory Mere Hide. I decided to "brighten" them up a bit! With the Warden's permission I took on a painting project during my time on the island and produced two interpretation boards showing the resident birds you are likely to see when using the hides. 

The board for Moory Mere


For North Pond


close up of the Short-Eared Owl
Oystercatcher
Shoveler
A display for my last evening on Skomer :)






I recycled a couple of plywood panels found in the garden, sealed them and began work using acrylic paints. As you all know, pencils are really my "thing" but I thoroughly enjoyed using a different medium and acrylics provide such bright colours, an ideal choice.

I hope they provide a little bit of pleasure for Skomer's visitors, I am very pleased to have been involved with Skomer over the last two months and I cannot recommend it highly enough for a volunteering opportunity or just a day visit. A very special place indeed.

http://www.welshwildlife.org/skomerintro_en.link

Monday 4 July 2011

Photos from Skomer

Some photos from my two months on Skomer Island, May/June 2011. I had an amazing time, met some fantastic people and saw so much wildlife. I can highly recommend it should you fancy a visit or even a week's volunteering there :)
Sea of bluebells

A Skomer Vole
Loved up Razorbills
Me at Bull Hole
A Manx Shearwater
A view from High Cliff to the Neck
With a razorbill chick close to fledging
Seal!
Common Lizard basking
With Puffins at the Wick