Swallows - miniature watercolour

untitled (Swallows) © Tracy Hall 2009

1.75" X 2.25" Watercolour miniature on board

These young swallows were learning to fly with their parents and taking frequent rests on the roofs between spurts of enthusiasm. They really are such beautiful birds. At the end of the summer they will make the long journey to South Africa for the winter, before returning here next spring to nest. They were particularly fond of the plastic guttering on the house for their breaks - which did provide some excellent photo opportunities and a terrific view of the proceedings, but not quite what I wanted for a backdrop, so for the painting I moved them to a byre. I also added in their mother (on the right) who was a woman with a mission flying between her various offspring and trying to keep everyone together. Sounds familiar. I have no title for it yet.