A Bit of Green to Rest Your Eyes.

Behind my house there is a sort of forest that has been spared by developers because it is in a sort of swampy, damp area (see photo).  Im so glad it has been spared, because we get to see and hear all the native birds which live there, such as the New Zealand Tui, and the Morepork (yes, that is its name!) 

The Tui is a very talkative bird who flits around at dusk catching all the insects that are flying around.  He is very clever at this.  The Morepork (or Ruru, which is its original Maori name) is very difficult to see, as most owls are, but his mysterious call on foggy nights is something I always stop and listen to if I hear it.

I remember when I was a small child, hearing his call at night, and wondering where he was, and who he was calling to.  When I moved to Australia for 22 years, it was something I really missed.  I am happy that I can hear it again, now that I have returned to New Zealand.

I have always loved trees, there is something very gentle about them.  After a stressful day there is nothing better than to rest your eyes on a lush green forest, or a lovely green garden.

So this is the inspiration for my latest drawing in ink, a stylised tree with three branches.  You will have to imagine that the branches are swaying, because here in Windy Wellington they don't have much of a chance to stand still!

I'm thinking of adding colour to this one, perhaps with coloured pencils this time.  What about you?  Do you have any beautiful nature close to you which you love to rest your eyes on?