Bricks, bin and barrow

5.15 p.m., 10% thin high cloud, breezy

We might be well into May but there's a coolness in the breeze, so, when I finally get a chance to draw this afternoon, I take my folding chair down into the greenhouse and I draw just what's in front of me: bricks, a barrow and our old dustbin that I use for storing the riddled garden compost that I use when mixing potting compost (I can be sure it's peat free that way!).

Male and female blackbird are running a relay to feed their young. The male collects beak-fulls of worms while the brown female appears to be going for caterpillars.

The male pheasant scrutinises me through the glass: I'm feeling groggy this afternoon and, down at his level, with him in his red version of the Phantom of the Opera mask, I have to say that this is pretty intimidating. Especially when he suddenly emits one of his explosive 'GGG - ROCKLE!!' calls just six foot away from me.

These are drawn with my Rapidoliner. Glad it's working again.

Richard Bell, richard@willowisland.co.uk