Hen Harriers at Faslane

Hen Harriers:   1 ¦ 2 ¦ 3 ¦ 4 ¦ 5 ¦ 6

Male Hen Harrier chases Raven

Sketch

An important function of the male Hen Harrier is to protect the nest site from other predators.

Male Hen Harrier chases Raven

Painting

In the sketch, I noted how the moorland landscape is like the rolling form of waves.
I am keen to show wildlife within the context of landscape.
Here, the scene also depicts the weather of that landscape. From behind a far hill, rain clouds are rolling towards the territory of the Harrier.

Acrylic paints provide metallic and iridescent pigments. In this work, I have used these to add gloss sheen and brilliance to the bird's plumage and in the cloud a similarly silver reflective quality.

Female Hen Harrier landing at nest

Not only does the female drop precisely onto the nest site, she springs back into the air from it. It may interest you to know that this is the reason for naming the vertical take-off fighting aircraft the Harrier Jump Jet.

Female Hen Harrier with prey

After the food pass from male to female, she returns to the nest to feed the young.

More Hen Harriers: 1 ¦ 2 ¦ 3 ¦ 4 ¦ 5 ¦ 6
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