Pimping the snails…

Yes, those snails again. This time though - as an experiment - I decided to embellish them a little using a permanent maker pen so that they could be easily recognised if they slimed their way back into my garden. They didn’t seem to mind being made-over into small works-of-doodle-art and I did keep them monochromic so that they didn’t draw the attention of the birds. Actually I had no choice as I could only find a black Staedler and I was in a bit of a rush, so bird risk consideration wasn’t really a factor. Besides, bird hazard is all part of the rich tapestry that is the life of a snail; that and getting pimped by a middle-aged loony doodler of course.

Now, it isn’t easy drawing on a snail. Firstly, the shell is pretty shiny and the pen tends to slip. Secondly, there isn’t much of an ‘image area’ (as we call it in the trade) so all I managed on this first attempt was some dots, squiggles and lines. Thirdly, snail shells must be treated with some natural form of anti-vandalism paint as even my permanent, waterproof, Lumocolour F struggled to make a mark. Lastly, they keep sliming up - which is a bit euch! Well, it’s what snails do isn’t it.

Anyway, I’ve been keeping my eye out for them (well not literally obviously) but so far I haven’t seen any sign. Perhaps they are moving too fast for me or maybe my pimping isn’t obvious enough to be seen in the undergrowth. Hmmm…I might take a shot at making some more colourful ones to make them more easily visible - bird risk or not.

Yes, I know… I really do know.