Bravo!

.

Heavenly trio

robin, coal tit and goldcrest

singing such sweet songs

.

by Scooj

Small pleasures

.

Sweet sibilant song

a robin busting a lung

pauses for replies

.

by Scooj

5647. Nottingham

Steve (STE), Nottingham, November 2023
Steve (STE), Nottingham, November 2023

On walking to the station to return to Bristol from a meeting in Nottingham, I had a few spare minutes to explore the area near the station, and I am pleased that I did, although I stressed about cutting it a bit fine with my train departure time. The light was also diminishing… I am not a big fan of these short day length. I found a few pieces, including this beautiful robin by Steve (STE).

Steve (STE), Nottingham, November 2023
Steve (STE), Nottingham, November 2023

I know nothing of the artist, but on seeing this stunner, will certainly be looking out for him in future. I tend to get so wrapped up in the Bristol street/graffiti art scene, that I forget there is a massive amount of talent beyond the West Country. The beautifully captured robin, in full song, is an absolute triumph, it is rare to see a bird looking so natural in street art work. The words Sierra, Tango, Echo form a backdrop to the bird, and make up Steve’s Instagram handle, I am not sure what they mean, but could they be followed with Victor, Echo? A stunner for sure.

Small

.

Belting out a song

disproportionately loud

E. rubecula

.

by Scooj

Clutch

Robin nest, Bristol, May 2023
Robin nest, Bristol, May 2023

In a garden sack

full of logs, beneath the deck

a clutch of five eggs

.

by Scooj

4727. Cheltenham 2022 (12)

IMG_1111_edited
IMG_1111_edited

Even though Aspire no longer lives in Bristol, I have managed to come across some of his work this year, which is a joyful thing. Of all the artists that have left Bristol in recent years, I miss his work (and that of Kleiner Shames) the most. Thank goodness for festivals such as Upfest and the Cheltenham Paint Festival, which have encouraged Aspire to leave London and share his work in the provinces.

Aspire, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2022
Aspire, Cheltenham Paint Festival, Cheltenham, July 2022

This piece is an absolute belter, with a beautiful Robin, set alongside some silver birch trees and weirdly a bottle of sun spray. I’m not quite sure I get the significance of the plastic bottle, but it certainly sets up an interesting juxtaposition in the piece. As always the whole thing is superbly crafted, and Aspire’s pixelated sections perform the job of a signature. Top work from Aspire.

Round robin

.

Fluffy feather ball

partnered up and preparing

there’s work to be done

.

by Scooj

3862. Chessel Street

I think that one of the spin-off benefits of the Upfest 2021 75×75 event has been that I have spent a whole lot more time in Bedminster this summer than I normally would, and in doing so have come across a few gems, like this one by Andy Council, that I might not have ordinarily seen.

Andy Council, Chessel Street, Bristol, July 2021
Andy Council, Chessel Street, Bristol, July 2021

This piece, which I assume is a commission, features a robin red-breast made up of multiple components stitched together with pink cord. This stitching theme is one that Andy Council has been working on a lot over the past couple of years and seems to have superseded his architectural blocks for which he is most famous. The sketch of this piece on his Instagram feed has a slightly better proportioned neck on the Robin, but I am perhaps being a bit picky. A wonderful little piece.

Fast food

.

Association

man and spade and fork and soil

get close for dinner

.

by Scooj

An untimely and sad end

 

Peace interrupted

sickening thud behind me

robin hits the door

 

instantly falls to the floor

circumstantial accident

 

by Scooj.

 

* a terrible thing happened this lunchtime when my children and I were sitting outside the kitchen enjoying the sunshine. Our conversation was interrupted when one of our dear little robins flew into the open kitchen door, the top half of which is glass. This was about a foot behind my head.

The three of us were utterly shocked. The robin died moments later in my hand. It was traumatic to say the least, and I feel so responsible. I keep singing ‘who killed cock robin… I said the sparrow with my bow and arrow’.

The interaction between humankind and nature is so delicate. Our impacts are everywhere, but I suppose in many ways some of our interactions benefit wildlife.

This all feels so much more painful because of the amazing experience of watching a pair of robins raise five chicks successfully in our greenhouse only days ago. Oh dear.