Waste Land

[Flycatcher]

This is based on a local site I visit from time to time. It was originally a lime spoil tip, but has now regenerated and had become densely overgrown. It includes several flashes - shallow open pools of water for those to whom the term may not be familiar - a couple of which have been protected as reserves, mainly for migrant bird populations, though I have also found a very striking Red Data Book cranefly there in some numbers. This county is not lime-rich, and the habitat has been colonised by numerous species of flowers that are otherwise uncommon in the area.

This is a view of just the corner of one of the bunds - raised banks - that surround the flashes. A certain amount of poetic license has been applied, but it is generally true to the spirit of the place. Spirit being the operative word. Sadly, over the last couple of years the terrain this side of the road has been landscaped and cleared of much of the original vegetation, and converted into a small country park with easier public access. This increased accessibility and popularity has another downside: my car suffered an unsuccessful break-in attempt here this spring.

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1029533622ofc.jpg

Entirely ZBrush.

[Ron Harris]

now this I really like...at first glance I thought you posted a photo.....very realistic....and beautiful.....and I had never heard of a flash like that....or the term rather.....learn something new here everyday. We get alot of crane flies around here as well. And skeeters..... :eek: :eek: :eek: Very nice image you have created. Keep up the great work and I love the text you put with the image....very shiek....

[Tag]

Beatiful FC! I love the colors and flowers, they are so realistic looking. Thanks for telling us a bit about the area and hope to see lots more like this :tu:

[rhom]

It does have a photo feel to it-love all the
flower detailing.A strong image.Red Data Book cranefly?That's quite a name.

[Stonecutter]

FANTASTIC work F/C...This is like a superfine watercolour painting to me, and the vegetation is unbelievable...

:tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu: :cool: :)

[DeeVee]

FC somehow I knew that an image like this was in the works. Congratulations on a job very well done. :tu: :tu: :tu:
DeeVee,
Joe

[Northstarr]

Absolutely lovely! I can smell the flowers and grasses! Wonderful work, congrats!
:tu: :tu: :tu:

[Flycatcher]

Thank you for the kind comments, everyone.

This is one that nearly got away. I'd already junked one partial version, and this one was fighting me to the point that I'd almost decided to scrap it as well. Instead I had a break to start dinner cooking and when I came back, after just a few strokes the whole feeling changed - I knew where I was going and everything started flowing. Maybe it was the wine, an indispensible adjunct to cooking, I find. :D

Rhom: A description actually, not its name - my fault for lapsing into entomological jargon. :rolleyes: The Red Data Books are a series of volumes that list all the rare and endangered species of animals and plants to be found in the UK including details of their national distribution, habitat management requirements and threats to their survival. The insect in question was Nephrotoma crocata (sorry - as with most flies there is no English name). It is very beautiful for a cranefly and has an elongate velvet-black body bearing several very striking deep yellow bands - even my non-dipterist companions were impressed.

[juandel]

argh - so glad that beauty was brought up again! i bet i missed a lot during the last few days, but this one would have hurt especially... vegetational beauty all over and it makes me hear them buzzers zoom here and there - :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu:

- juandel

[robotalk]

Beautiful..splendid beyond words :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu:

[Stargo]

Beautiful and very well done :tu: :tu: :tu: :tu:

stargo