Malham Cove

From 1985 to 1998 every spring was spent studying Peregrines in the Yorkshire Dales. Gradually year by year the population increased, some sites became regularly occupied, others were used once or twice and then abandoned in favour of other crags. Malham was checked annually but remained unoccupied until 1993. These drawings were made earlier this year on 28th March. A grey day of heavy persistant drizzle, the fells disappearing into a wet in wet watercolour wash landscape. Sketched quickly during a break in the rain before the returning dampness ruined the sketch book pages.



Back home in the studio, using the field sketch above and drawings of the rock face made on previous visits I painted this watercolour.