Back garden shenanigans

Desk-bound by deadlines, opportunities for getting out and about recently have been virtually non-existent, apart from a satisfying session of rhodo burning in Thatcher's Copse (dreadful name for a lovely wood!) on sunday. So sketching opportunities have been reduced to that of recording activities in the garden.

The main highlight has been watching a male blue tit courting his beau. With wings a constant quiver he dashed, dandied and fussed about her, with sweet cascading notes flowing around the rowan tree. Unimpressed she lead him a merry dance, but still he chased her. This pair have been with us for a while now, so it was nice to watch the development of their bonding.

With steam emanating from my old 'pooter as it faithfully laboured to save yet another massive file  I had created, I chose to make a very quick sketch of his efforts. During which I noticed a second male watching nearby. And when the hen flew off over the house with our boy in close attendence, the dark horse followed also, keeping a discreet distance! Beware the third party my friend - Da Da Daaa!