The nesting instinct – Nest I

The nesting instinct – Nest I: original watercolour on wood

Nests are said to represent the love, commitment, and effort it takes to build a happy home, so that that are regarded as good-luck symbols. If you find one in your garden it is supposed to bring good fortune to all who live there. Legend even has it that prosperity will come to any home that finds a bird’s nest nestled among the branches of the family Christmas tree, hence their popularity as ornaments.

While this painting of a nest, cannot be guaranteed to do any of the above, it will hopefully remind you of what wonderful engineers birds are. To watch the work which goes into building shelter for their clutch of eggs, is to marvel at their hard work and persistance.

This painting is built up in layers upon layers of watercolour, on paper, which was then adhered to a birch wood cradle panel and then gently waxed to deepen the colours and add a gentle sheen. It comes in a matte black tray frame.

I found this rather nice poem (anonymous)

The skylark’s nest among the grass
And waving corn is found;
The robin’s on a shady bank,
With oak leaves strewn around.

The wren builds in an ivied thorn,
Or old and ruined wall;
The mossy nest, so covered in,
You scarce can see at all.

The martins build their nests of clay,
In rows beneath the eaves;
While silvery lichens, moss and hair,
The chaffinch interweaves.

The cuckoo makes no nest at all,
But through the wood she strays
Until she finds one snug and warm,
And there her egg she lays.

The sparrow has a nest of hay,
With feathers warmly lined;
The ring-dove’s careless nest of sticks
On lofty trees we find.

Rooks build together in a wood,
And often disagree;
The owl will build inside a barn
Or in a hollow tree.

The blackbird’s nest of grass and mud
In brush and bank is found;
The lapwing’s darkly spotted eggs
Are laid upon the ground.

The magpie’s nest is girt with thorns
In leafless trees or hedge;
The wild duck and the water-hen
Build by the water’s edge.

Birds build their nests from year to year,
According to their kind,
Some very neat and beautiful,
Some easily designed.

The habits of each little bird,
And all its patient skill,
Are surely taught by God Himself
And ordered by His will.