Hello everyone,
Welcome to the next installment of the murals in the hides! Today this is all about the Kingfisher hide! We get a lot of comments about the murals (who painted them etc), and a while ago I came across the original information about the murals, so I thought I would start a little series... A while ago I came across the original information about the murals, so I thought I would start a little series as we do get alot of comments about the artists etc, so I thought I would share what I found with you (please keep in mind these were displayed about 15 years ago!)
Here we go:What can we see from here?At the far left corner of the pool is a sand bank, an artificial nest site for kingfishers. They have nested here for several years now, raising two or three broods annually. During the breeding season, March to September, they can be seen here fishing, bringing food for their young, or washing in the pool.Half way up the electricity pylon is a nest box, which kestrels use each year. They can be seen at any time of year, hovering over the reserve, hunting for prey; in the spring their breeding activities can be closely observed from here.
I even came across the draft that Mike drew!
What does the mural show?The subjects of this display lend themselves to a large, bright, colourful approach. Enhanced by use of 3D. The colours used are not always absolutely true to life but are aimed to brighten up dark corners of the hide.A pale background colour helps to lift the cut out subjects from the flat surface and bring them to life. The large size of some of the images and small size of others bring perspective and drama to the pictorial story of the two birds’ hunting, feeding and nesting habits. The variation of tight brush work and large brush strokes adds to the overall effect of the artwork.
Kingfishers and kestrels are shown on the mural - including where they nest!
Who is the artist?Mike Langman’s interest in birds has always worked hand in hand with his artistic skills. At the age of 14, when he was a junior YOC leader, Mike won a YOC competition sketching birds,While studying for a BA Hons Degree in scientific illustration at Middlesex Polytechnic he gained himself a permanent position in the RSPB exhibitions department at the Lodge.Eight years later he took up a freelance career as an illustrator and now works in South Devon. To date he has illustrated six books, and works on pictures from one inch square to displays as big as a double decker bus!
Mike illustrates all the bird pictures for the RSPB website - check out the guide to British birds: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/
This is the last of the original hides! Oh no!Well, I hope you have enjoyed the little series and the extra information... Bye for now,Lou