#longtailedtits

Some detail shots of some of the characters making up my group of 24 roosting Long-Tailed Tits, “The Usual Suspects”. Currently being moulded, for casting into bronze. Available just before Christmas 🤞 With the nights drawing in and cooling down, it won’t be long before these roost-groups start gathering again, to help these tiny birds survive the cold winter nights. #longtailedtits #longtailedtit #birdsculpture #wildlifesculpture #birdart #bronzesculpture #nickbibby #sculpture #sculptor https://www.instagram.com/p/B2jLalih-5E/?igshid=1viisdp18vdbc

The garden next to us had this apple tree in it. It was roughly the age of the house, so 90 years give or take. It was full of mistletoe. This spring it was covered in blossom and I’ve been watching Robins and a Thrush nest in it. Often a volery of Long tailed Tits would mingle with the small fruit seeking out insects . It had a big hole from where a branch fell off which I’ve watched squirrels run in and out. In winter the thickets of mistletoe fed all the birds when food was scarce. It enriched the nature in the gardens, the landscape and enriched my life everyday I looked at it through out the year. Yesterday the owners chopped it down, at the height of the nesting season. I’ve never seen the owners in their garden before, they only stand in their doorway while they smoke and then return to whatever screen they were staring at. #nature #appletrees #orchard #appleblossoms #squirrels #longtailedtits #ancientwoodlands #suberbangarden @robgmacfarlane #worcestercouncil #worcester #thrushbird #birdsong @rspb_love_nature #britishnature #chrispackham @chris.packham #destruction #enviromentalart https://www.instagram.com/p/By25wexnoGf/?igshid=1ah3ysb9qrxbj

Finally finished sculpting “The Usual Suspects”, depicting 24 roosting Long-Tailed Tits, settling in for the night 💤😊👍 I’ll be taking these little guys up to the foundry next week, for moulding and casting into bronze (ready in time for Christmas🤞)#longtailedtits #birdsculpture #wildlifesculpture #wildlifeart #roostingbirds #sculpting #sculpture #bronzesculpture #nickbibby #sculptor https://www.instagram.com/p/B1OpY0Ih4mc/?igshid=xyia01dt0e0v

3 more photos of work on my group of roosting Long-Tailed Tits. 24 in all. Trying to keep it loose and energetic, but still give each bird it’s own unique character! 😄 #sculpting #birdsculpture #longtailedtits #workinprogressart #nickbibby #sculpture #sculptor https://www.instagram.com/p/BzLlpYLB95p/?igshid=z5wkw41o8b96

Starting to rough out the first few of the 24 roosting Long-Tailed Tits 😴 👍 #longtailedtits #birdsculpture #nickbibby #sculpture #sculptor #sculpting https://www.instagram.com/p/By0tvh7BD2v/?igshid=u4nnefnohep1

2 seconds not concentrating when repositioning in the vice 😫😫😫 Aargh!!! I’m going for a walk. I’ll fix it tomorrow 😔 It’s probably 20 years since I last dropped a piece I was working on. Klutz!!! #sculpting #dumbmistake #expletivedeleted #nickbibby #sculpture #longtailedtits https://www.instagram.com/p/B0OaHMdhv17/?igshid=1sje5xofmqa4p

Even after 40 years as a professional sculptor, I sometimes still have to invest in a specialist, expensive, piece of kit, like this custom made Long-Tailed Tit toe installation tool..... Okay, you’re right, it’s a cocktail stick. Busted! 😔 🤣 Tip of the day - don’t get hung up on having “The perfect tool kit”, or “The best clay”, just sculpt! And keep an open mind - if something works, no matter what it is, go with it! Adapt and survive 👍😊 #simpleisbest #adaptation #sculpting #sculptingtools #nickbibby #sculpture #sculptor #longtailedtits https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Th4ezhE9a/?igshid=1m5mbc0ubr9yv