February report

2日、3日少ないだけだけれど、やっぱり2月は短く感じる。どうして31日まである月がたくさんあるのに、2月だけ2日も少ないのだろうと、つい気になって調べたら、アウグストゥスが自分の月（8月）をどうしても長くしたかったというわがままかららしい！
February had passed without me thinking of anything but meeting deadlines and joining some events. So here are some updates about what I had been doing.

I gave a talk about British nature reserves and British birdwatchers at Gyotoku Bird Observatory. I was so glad to have 20 or so very enthusiastic audience! Below are some of the slides I made for the talk.



行徳の公開講座と新宿御苑展に足を運んでくださったみなさま、本当にどうもありがとうございました。

I learned a lot from making this presentation since I had to research a lot and make sure so many things. I found a fascinating radio program about how Lakenheath Fen reserve was created, some very interesting old photographs of Wicken Fen, a good explanation on the difference between a ditch and a dike just to mention a few.
I also learned from the questions and comments from the audience. Can't wait to go back and find out the answers, which I wasn't sure what to say!



新宿御苑展に出した絵「タゲリ舞い」（左）と「富士・鷹・わらボッチ」（右)
会場でお会いし損ねてしまったみなさま、申し訳なかったです！



Yes, this is a wooden engraving, my very first proper trial using burins! I think I got to know a lot about making marks and patterns from this work.
野鳥の会80周年記念のTシャツデザインコンテストに応募して佳作をいただきました。機会あって野鳥の会のオフィスにお邪魔したら、賞状までいただいてしまいました。



野鳥の会80周年なら特定の鳥ではなくてたくさんの身近な鳥がいいなと思い、限定4色という指定のなかで、なるべく自然に描ける鳥をデザインしてみました。
ちなみにTシャツとなる最優秀賞はルリカケスの絵でした。
I entered the T-shirt design competition to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Japan Wild Bird Society. Mine got an honorable mention and when I visited their office, they even gave me the certificate! You can find the awarded artworks here.