Rather Splendid – Square Canvas Print

Description

“Whilst visiting friends recently I was delighted to spot a flash of bright blue outside their window in the form of a Splendid Fairy Wren. I quickly grabbed my phone for a shot but he was jumping and darting about so quickly that he was impossible to capture. The next afternoon I was hooked, sitting outside under the trees, quietly waiting in the hope of his return. It was an addictive feeling and I can see I will need to buy a better camera to try it again! It is quite common to see a bright blue male surrounded by his brown family and I presumed they were a bit like a harem – only to discover that juvenile male wrens start off brown and they could as equally be his own offspring. I also discovered that the male Splendid Wren sheds his bright blue feathers in the year, sporting his best coat during mating season – a real catch! It was such fun to paint this piece and I hope it brings you as much joy as it does to me.” Helen Ansell

The splendid fairywren (Malurus splendens) belongs to the Australasian wren family; inhabits predominantly arid and semi-arid regions; adult males exhibiting a high degree of breeding plumage; females and juveniles are predominantly grey-brown in colour. They form pairs between one male and one female, although each partner will mate with other individuals and even assist in raising the young from such trysts.

Their habitat ranges from forest to dry scrub, generally with ample vegetation for shelter, while mainly eating insects, supplemented with seeds. Both sexes moult in autumn after breeding, with males assuming an eclipse non-breeding plumage. They will moult again into nuptial plumage in winter or spring. Their group consists of a socially monogamous pair with one or more male or female helper birds that were hatched in their territory, though they may not necessarily be the offspring of the main pair. Breeding occurs from late August through to January. Male wrens pluck pink or purple petals and display them to females as part of a courtship display.

Red bottlebrush (Callistemon), is endemic to Australia, being naturally found in more temperate scattered locations, but widely cultivated in many other regions. Its common name arose from the cylindrical brush like flowers’ resemblance to a traditional bottle brush.

Helen Ansell Fine Art Canvas Prints are available to purchase either stretched (gallery wrapped, ready to hang on the wall) or unstretched (with 9cm white border) ready for you to frame yourself.

1. Small – 40 x 40cm (16″ x 16″)
2. Medium – 60 x 60cm (24″ x 24″)
3. Large – 90 x 90cm (36″ x 36″)

Helen Ansell fine art prints are proudly printed in Australia.

*Please allow up to 14 business days for your purchase to be posted. Because each print is made to order just for you, we require time to print and post your beautiful Australian fine art print. 

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