Turtle Doves have long symbolised love and devotion, inspiring the title of this painting. In ancient Greek mythology, Aphrodite—the goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, passion, and procreation—is often linked with these gentle birds. Although best known for their appearance in the carol The Twelve Days of Christmas, Turtle Doves are actually summer visitors to the UK, arriving around mid-April and departing by late August. Each year, those that breed here undertake an extraordinary journey of up to 3,000 miles each way to and from their wintering grounds in West Africa. Sadly, the Turtle Dove has been on the UK’s Red List for Birds of Conservation Concern since 1996, the highest category of threat, indicating a species in urgent need of protection.
This is the fourth painting in my UK birds series.
Oils on canvas. 100cm x 80cm x 4cm
