The shags were nesting on the lower sloping surface of a great slab of rock isolated by the sea from the eroding cliff. One, the female I guess, sat on the nest concealing the chicks. Intermittently, the male would return and stretch and preen by her side. Just above were groups of guillemots.
I carried on with painting from the earlier drawings in conte crayon.
kestrelart 
Just wanted to let you know that I will be unsubscribing at this e-mail. I somehow have been subscribed on two and just getting rid of one. I really enjoy your posts and have been sharing them on my Facebook. My friends seem to enjoy them as well.
Warm Regards, Sharon Sieben
Hi Sharon
Thanks for the note. Hi to your friends as well.
Neil
I thoroughly enjoy your watercolors.
Thanks. Nearly at the end of this series painting in Scotland, sadly.
I like how the slight colour/shade changes help to describe the form of the birds bodies.
Thanks. In this series, this is what I was trying to achieve and its nice to get this feedback.
Do so love your bird life sketches… so much fresher than those people labour over to do so pedantically detailed. The “speak” to me rather than looking life they are stuffed specimens in a museum.
Much appreciated. Thanks. Chimes with how I see things anyhow.
I am very fond of your birds. How wonderful that you are able to get this close to them in their natural environment. Besides being able to draw & paint them so beautifully.
Dear Lana
Thanks for your comments. I was touched. I hope to get time again the next two weeks to do some more.
In one sense i was not that close. The last posts Blade of Rock give a sense of the scene – those nesting shags were tiny dots. I have a great lightweight scope that brought them to my eyes. In another sense, I was close – sitting there feels like being immersed their habitat.
One thing I want to investigate for next year is what simple equipment will enable me to also capture the soundscape.
I am interested by your new posts using drypoint etching.
Yes, I see what you mean about the setting! What a thing to experience being immersed’ in their habitat, as you say. This, combined with your recent tree posts got me inspired to revisit interviews with Hockney, about his approach to landscape painting (more specifically, his tree paintings). Will post a quote on your tree post…
Thanks Lana. This kind of dialogue is especially appreciated as it expands my somewhat limited knowledge in art.
PS. Drypoint etching is all new to me, have just bought an etching needle and about to work on a mouse (cat was done with a sharpened nail).
This is just an idea but maybe contact the BBC Natural History Unit based in Bristol (I think) with regard to capturing the soundscape? You have probably heard them on Radio 4 but there have been some amazing soundscape programmes by someone called Chris and I’m sure that they would be interested to advise you, especially if they saw this blog.