Saturday 16 January 2016

Return To The Steppe

So to keep up my intention of posting no more infrequently than a fortnight (or so!) here's another piece worked up from my Kazakhstan trip a couple of years ago. Sociable Lapwing was the target bird for me, having dipped on them in Gujarat, albeit unknowingly, the year before. With a trip to Syria out for obvious reasons Central Asia seemed the only place to reliably get them. However, they're declining here, so it was with great satisfaction we connected with them after a couple of hours searching the vast steppe just around 50km outside Astana. I recall having to make this quick sketch through the leader's scope just outside the tour bus, as he didn't want everyone piling out and disturbing the small party present - understandably! This was drawn 18 or so months ago, and is rather 'off' jizz-wise. Anyway, I stuck true to the original sketch and it's not a mile off. A rather breezy and hazy day, which was very difficult to convey, of course.
Thanks for looking.
Russ
                           Field sketch of Sociable Lapwing, Nr Astana, Kazakhstan,17th May, 2013
                                                                 Who's a proud chap!

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