Driving close to my home I was honoured to follow a male Merlin who was flying so close to the road in front of my car - showing me how he hunts, low and super fast. At the last moment he pulled up and flew into an old Oak tree. I stopped to connect with him, as he looked down at me from the branch.

So majestic and poised, focused, clear and pristine. What an honour and a joy to have this special close encounter with this endangered and magical bird of prey.

It was obvious I must create him for my Wild Soul Collection. Soft pastels were perfect to help create his soft feathers and stunning beak colour too.