Water and Wading Birds
Wildlife Paintings
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‘I See You’
Watercolour painting of Kingfisher on 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour.
Size of painted area: 20×26 cm (8×10”)
Kingfisher at rest.
Available unframed or framed in white solid wood St Ives frame.
Framed size: 41cm x 31cm
’Nesting Grebe’
Watercolour painting of Great Crested Grebe on 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour.
Size of painted area: 31×23 cm (9×12”)
Great Crested Grebes have the most wonderful and tender courtship rituals, and we have been lucky enough to witness these on more than one occasion at our local RSPB reserve.
In a gentle rhythm, they bow their heads forward, stretch their necks back, dip them to the side, stretch their necks tall, and all of this whilst attuning to and synchronising with their partner.
They also have a comical, but very beautiful, ritual where they adorn themselves with emerald green pond weed. They dive down into the depths of the water and re-emerge with the glistening weed draped over their heads - looking for all the world like they are wearing some resplendent headdress.
Available unframed or framed in white solid wood St Ives frame (to order - expected framing time 3 weeks).
‘Dance of the Godwits’
Watercolour painting of Black-Tailed Godwits on 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour.
Size of painted area: 31×23 cm (9×12”)
This year we have been fortunate to see a large flock of black-tailed godwits at our local wetland nature reserve. In their mating plumage - the rich rust and silver tones of pine tree bark - these are striking birds. Like all waders, seeing them fly, preen, ‘dance’ and feed is fascinating - their elegant long beaks and legs, and their beautifully marked wings cause endless permutations of colour and light as they move. A delight for any wildlife artist!
This delicate painting of two godwits brings to life their dancing movements.
Available framed in dark blue-grey solid wood St Ives frame (to order - expected time 3 weeks).
’Iridescence’
Watercolour painting of Mallard on 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour. 2026.
Size of painted area: 41 ×51cm (16×20”)
Sitting by the river one afternoon, I found myself in the company of a pair of mallards who gently, but persistently, let it be known that they would like to know what I had in my bag. Observing their gentle demeanours and beautiful markings, I realised I had never considered painting a mallard.
Several weeks later, I was researching the birds that regularly visit Brantwood House, Coniston, in preparation for my Wild of Wing exhibition there, and I heard about the family of mallards who regularly delighted the visitors by waddling up the drive each day.
I set myself the challenge of painting this familiar duck, and capturing its charisma, its friendliness, but also its wild beauty.
Available framed in white solid wood St Ives frame.
’Osprey Rising’
Watercolour painting of Osprey on 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour.
10×20”
A fierce and capable hunter, ospreys are the fishermen of our inland lakes and rivers during the spring and summer months. They arrive in April amongst a flurry of excitement as locals look out for their first glimpses of this majestic bird of prey.
To see an osprey descend into the water to fish is a wonderful sight as they plummet through the water. They are able to carry their own weight in fish and have adapted to grasp and hold the fish in the most aerodynamic way when taking it back to the nest.
I am fortunate to live in an area of England where ospreys have returned after a long absence. This - and the painting, Osprey’s Descent - focus in on those fleeting moments when the bird is at one in two elements, water and air.
Framed in white solid wood St Ives frame.
‘Curlew’s Flight’
Watercolour painting of Curlew on 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour.
2026
Size of painted area: 31×31 cm (12×12”)
Framed size: 54×54 cm
Framed in solid wood St Ives frame, available to purchase and reserve at Rheged, Brilliance of Birds exhibition.
‘Dipper’
Watercolour painting of Dipper on 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour.
Size of painted area: 20×20 cm (8×8”)
A flash of white, a streak of movement, and the dipper is gone, moving swiftly through the river, until it emerges again on a nearby rock. Here, it stands, dipping its body in that characteristic way, a lovely rounded bird with a rich brown body and white breast.
I never tire of watching dippers on our local rivers and streams, or cease to be amazed by how often they seem to flit past without anyone else seeing them. Training oneself to see these hidden gems is part of the wonder of the natural world - it is here for us if we have eyes to see.
SOLD
Framed size: 31cm x 31cm
’Summer Sky’
Watercolour painting of Northern Gannet on 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour.
Summer 2026
24×18”
Available unframed or framed in white solid wood St Ives frame.
‘Abide’
Watercolour painting of Lapwing on 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour.
Size of painted area: 20×26 cm (8×10”)
A moment of quiet and peace.
I am always touched by the sight of a bird quietly resting in its natural habitat - not having to be on high alert, not looking alarmed, simply abiding.
Lapwings are such birds of motion! Their very flight and their calls are full of activity and character. This painting captures a moment where all activity has temporarily ceased and there is a feeling of stillness. The shimmering of the lapwing’s iridescent colouring, its lovely rounded body and its elegant fine crest now become apparent.
Available unframed or framed in solid wood St Ives frame.
‘Dance of the Avocets’
Watercolour painting of avocets in flight on 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour.
Size of painted area: 46×36 cm (18×14”)
To see avocets in flight is to see poetry in motion. These are beautiful, delicate wading birds. Once extinct in the UK, they are now beginning to flourish once more. Avocets have striking black markings on their wings and head, contrasting with their otherwise snow white bodies. They have a slender, upward curving beak and long pale blue legs. In flight, all of these elements come together to create one of the most elegant sights in the bird world.
Following the progress of these lovely birds through the mating season is always a delight. This painting was inspired by seeing avocets swooping through the evening light on the salt marsh reserve where they spend the summer.
Available framed in white solid wood St Ives frame.
Framed size: 61cm wide × 51cm high x 3cm deep.
’Skimming the Wind’
Watercolour painting of Arctic Terns on 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour. 2026.
Size of painted area: 41 ×51cm (16×20”)
There is something mesmerising about the agile, swooping flight of arctic terns as they hunt for sand eels, plummeting down in the water, before coming up to dance in the air again.
Available framed in white solid wood St Ives frame.