The Virgin of Alsace

After a day of painting in preparation for an autumn exhibition, I pottered into town to go to experience Evensong at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral - I've never been to Evensong before but every now and then I love a bit of church choir in a cathedral! I walked home through the Dean Gallery and passed this bronze sculpture of the Virgin of Alsace (1919-21) by Emile-Antoine Bourdelle. The Edinburgh Galleries purchased it in 1930 and I've often admired it on my way past. More info on the sculptor can be found here for anyone interested.

Pigeon Jnr update...the bird with the big plumage displayed more strange behaviour yesterday evening as PJnr II fell out of the rowan tree and decided to settle on the grass for a little sleep. Well aware that Ginger may be prowling around (with a penchant for decapitation from past experience), and Mr Fox, I decided to try to encourage PJnr II to go higher. There ensued a somewhat cartoon-like chase around the garden until he got the message and flew onto the fence. He disappeared later on, to who knows where. I hope he's ok. Sibling, PJnr, was still in the rowan tree, but had gone this morning. Parent was quietly coo-cooing away most of the morning, looking for them, perhaps? PJnr reappeared in the rowan tree later on so all is well there. There is no evidence of Mr Fox having made a catch last night so can only trust PJnr II has found another tree in which to hide out - preferably well away from the strange bird who lives in the big nest!