Pennington Marshes, Hampshire, England (2012)

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    Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

          

                                                             Black Tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa)

How I draw an American Bald Eagle

This is really my first commission. The request was for an Eagle, so I decided it had to be my favourite: an American Bald Eagle. Drawn on A2 with Faber-Castell pencils.

London Olympics 2012 - Come on Becky!

Photos from our trip to the Olympic site (Stratford, London) to see Rebecca Addlington try and retain her 800 metre freestyle title and Michael Phelps' last Olympic solo attempt at gold.

The Olympic torch passing through our home town marking the beginning of our Olympic adventure.

The start of our Olympic journey at Winnersh Triangle station, Reading.

On the train platform full of anticipation.

Our first site of the Olympic site with the main athletics stadium in the distance.

What a beautiful day! We haven't seen much sunshine this summer but today the sun was shining in its full glory. The aquatic centre is to the left with the main stadium in the distance. We were all very impressed by the site, and with all the staff, who were surprisingly friendly for London. It's a shame that everyday can't be an Olympic day, eh?

The Orbit tower designed by the world acclaimed artist Anish Kapoor.

 http://www.anishkapoor.com

A lovely picture of the main Olympic stadium, with everybody excited to be there to both enjoy each other and some quality sport. There really was a good vibe around; I really can't overstate that feeling - for a moment in time all was good.

The Orbit tower with London's financial district (Docklands) in the far background.

The main stadium. It was really good to feel the sun on my face for a change.

The aquatic centre. The place for tonight's entertainment.

The aquatic centre again taken with some of the planted greenery in the foreground - to much metal and cement is never a good thing in my opinion.

I couldn't resist this photo as West Ham are my favourite football team. This sign just reminded me that the new premiership season is just about to begin, with West Ham taking up their rightful place in the English premiership - happy days :-)

The Olympic site silhouetted against a rare English sunny blue sky.

Diane having a good time.

The aquatics centre. The time was getting near to see tonight's hero. 

The Olympic rings.

Diane in front of the Olympic rings.

Our first view of the pools. We particularly liked the undulations of the roof which apparently was modelled on the under belly of a whale.

Tonight's battleground: The main pool.

The diving pool.

Come on Tom!...But that's for another time though.

As you will notice the media took up the bottom - closer - half of the arena with the peasants placed at the top. Good job I took a pair of binoculars.

The gang looking happy.

The Olympic site at dusk - very nice. 

Although Becky did not retain her title, coming third, it was still a great day. I'm really proud of the effort gone into staging this thing, so I would just like to say a big thankyou to everybody who contributed to our surprisingly un-London like experience - good weather, good transport/access arrangements and friendly people. Very bizarre, but all good.

....Oh yer, Phelps won the gold, and Becky, good effort, we know you tried your best and we still love you ;-) xx

Not exactly BBC quality.

 It's not very often you're part of sporting history. Michael Phelps winning the Butterfly 100m gold.