Wood pigeon Easter eggs

Last Monday, two wood pigeons decided that one of my family's flower boxes is just the right place for them to build a nest in it. While there were only a few twigs on Monday, the whole thing looked much more impressive the next day (top picture). Usually, wood pigeons spend about one to two weeks on the construction of the nest but since these two made "good use" of the thyme, they finished their work after just a couple of days.

On Wednesday, one of the two pigeons, presumably the female one, stayed in the nest overnight for the first time. Then, on Good Friday, the first egg could be seen in the nest (bottom picture), although it is not clear whether it was actually laid on this day or the one before. The second egg followed on Saturday but I have not been able to take a picture of it yet.

The breeding period lasts for about 16 or 17 days, so I will have to wait for roughly two weeks from now on until I get to see any chicklets.

Hand II

Another finger exercise. Using a pencil for the drawings really gives the whole thing a nice soft and lively touch.

Hammer cap

During my year in England I became fascinated with fossils and fossil hunting. Back then I had no equipment at all, which was fine because I did not know yet if my interest would last or simply wane after some time. But since it has become clear that this is an activity I want to keep pursuing, the need for some proper tools became more important. And so I recently received a geologist's hammer, a few dental instruments and safety goggles for my birthday.

In order to protect the hammerhead I made a little leather cap that is fastened with press buttons. I will also make some kind of case for the dental instrumentents but this will have to wait a bit.