Thank you Holly, they are amazing and I was really lucky that the lek surrounded a track in the forest, they appeared everywhere!

The lek was hard to count, birds were coming and going, and calls could be heard way off the track also.

Stunning little balls of energy

I have not had much time to look back on the Panama trip yet, but I am slowly getting through the photos. These Golden-headed Manakins were a real highlight, over 20 years since I last saw them. Its hard to think of a more entertaining and beautiful family of birds to watch!

That is really stunning Holly, incredible work.

I am really looking forward to giving a talk to the Carlow Branch of Birdwatch Ireland this friday night. I will be talking about the conservation of Ring Ouzel and my experiences searching for the few remaining pairs in recent years.

www.facebook.com/share/1BXHrr...

It was a privilege to spend so much time enjoying the Harpy Eagles, sketching and photographing them. The few days exploring the remaining forests in this area, will live long in my memory.

@robertvaughanillustration
@diademadisara_design

#panama #darien #harpyeagle #birdwatching

Sketching the juvenile in the nest. The views were wonderful, but there was the tough choice of standing in full heat of the sun, or stand in the shade and be eaten alive by mosquitos!

We were incredibly fortunate that the adult male arrived in for 10 minutes. We were told the adults only visit the nest every 2 or 3 days at this stage.

The nest was surprisingly open, surrounded by farmland and banana plantations. Worrying to see such extensive deforestation, but mildly reassuring to see the birds survive.

A few more of our recent Panama trip, and the Harpy Eagle visit. I am so grateful to my wife Sara @diademadisara_design and her parents for organising this adventure.

@robertvaughanillustration
@diademadisara_design

#panama #darien #harpyeagle #birdwatching #irishartis

Thats fantastic Steph, looks amazing.

The juvenile Harpy sat about the nest, fed on an iguana, and just posed beautifully while I was there.

If it wasn't for the heat and the mosquito's, it would have been a perfect morning!

The initial sketches, each change in pose dramatically altered the character. There was just so much expression and personality in this bird.

A pair of Royal Flycatchers gave themselves up the following morning near our accomadation.

We are almost at the end of a fantastic trip to Panama, the highlight being a wonderful morning in the Darièn region enjoying a Harpy Eagle. The morning was even made more spectacular by the arrival of the adult male.

Having become very erratic in it's appearances throughout 2025, I was delighted to catch up with the Double-crested Cormorant at Doon Lough for the first time since December 2024.
A family party of Whooper Swans also fed close to the viewpoint, showing beautifully in the afternoon light.

You're probably right, I will be back again before too long no doubt!

Lovely sketches, they are a stunning little duck!

2 more of the Harlequin from a few weeks ago. Most of my sketch book is now filled with this bird, I really need to broaden my focus!

Thanks Steph, I am lucky to be working right next to it a few times a month this winter. Great to have the excuse to keep returning to it!

A beautiful day along the north coast yesterday, I was really lucky that the Harlequin was again showing really well for a few hours before work. I will be back again next week and can only hope for more good weather!

A quick painting of the Harlequin that is still hanging about in north Donegal. I am really looking forward to getting back to the coast later this week and hope to see him again.

Glad you got to see it Harry, and sorry I missed you on a rare foray north.

The highlight of a local wander in the snow yesterday was a pair of Goosander flying over our apt, I was just quick enough to get one photo of the male. A stunning and surprise addition to the garden list!

The view from the studio today, lots of Thrush on the move between the flurries. I hope to get out and explore the woods later and see what else is about.

Thanks @hollygroganart.bsky.social for the beautiful calendar, here's to a wonderful 2026!

Thank you very much Ed, and a very happy new year to you.

A wonderful, but cold and breezy morning back at Trà na gCloch in north Donegal ahead of my last survey of the year.

A huge thank you to everyone who has liked, shared and bought my work throughout the year, I am eternally grateful for all the support. Best wishes for 2026

Beautiful work Holly, great to see the amazing progression. Happy new year!

Happy Christmas Russ, wonderful sketches as always. Best wishes for the new year.

I would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Thank you very much to all who follow me, liked and shared my work, it really means a lot to me.

Give me a shout when you coming up, happy to pass on any local gen if you have the time.

Thanks very much Ed, a gorgeous bird and showing very well.

Thank you very much Peter.

I was delighted to catch up with the Harlequin Duck again at Trà na gCloch yesterday. Despite the horrible weather, I was able to sit in the comfort of the car and watch it come and go in the massive surf.

It was a pleasure to be asked to judge the Wainfest Children's Art Competition in Glenveagh National Park . The variety and quality of entrants was incredible.
A huge thank you to Alarnagh, Clare and Maggie for their incredible work to put it all together. The winners will be announced soon!

Thats really beautiful, lovely work Holly.