East Coast Spring with Richard Allen

Richard Allen: born in Newbury, Berkshire in 1964, an Art Foundation Course at Brighton was followed by a Degree in Graphic/Illustration at Kingston Polytechnic. Starting as a freelance illustrator in advertising, publishing and newspapers, Richard's work has gradually drifted towards his main interest of birds and wildlife, especially after winning "British Birds", Bird Illustrator of the Year 1993. A keen birder from an early age, the bird rich estuaries and marshes of the Essex coast where he lives have fuelled a passion for field-sketching. Recent travels to China, USA, S.E. Asia, Senegal and many parts of Europe have continued this interest and numerous sketchbooks have been filled. The experience gained in the field has been put to good use in the many books illustrated. These include, "Concise Birds of the Western Palearctic", "The Handbook of Birds of the World", "A Field Guide to the Birds of South East Asia" and the recently published "Sunbirds and Flowerpeckers". Current projects include a book on Birds of Paradise and illustrating a regular gardening column in "The Times" newspaper. Great Grey Shrike, Grimes Graves, Norfolk, March, a very obliging bird, sitting up in Spring sunshine and chasing bumble bees. Reed Bunting, Minsmere, Suffolk, April, a smart male in willows from Island Mere hide, with a Ring Ouzel on Whin Hill behind. Avocets, Minsmere, Suffolk, April, lovely shapes and patterns as they preened in the sun. Avocets, Colne estuary, Essex, December, part of the 300 that winter on the estuary here. Feeding on the ebbing tide in the low wintry sunshine.