AS great escape stories go the tale of the woodpecker and the sparrowhawk is no flight of fancy.

Captured on camera by Ryedale artist Robert Fuller, the photograph shows how, by keeping perfectly still, this plucky little woodpecker managed to avoid being detected by the hawk perched only inches above it.

Mr Fuller then painted a picture of the “great escape.”

Both photograph and painting will be on display as part of his latest exhibition.

Mr Fuller said: “Having watched a sparrowhawk hunt before, I knew that it can only detect its prey by spotting movement.

“If the woodpecker, could hold its nerve and stay completely still all would be well.

“The sparrowhawk surveyed the landscape around it, but it failed to notice the woodpecker which was literally just below its feet.

“The sparrowhawk eventually moved on to chase other prey and the woodpecker survived to live another day.”

Mr Fuller, who has a gallery in Thixendale, near Malton, will be displaying a collection of his work and is also arranging various events to complement the exhibition.

Other images feature an array of native British species, including red deer, otters, badgers and the best of British birdlife. Alongside the display of wildlife paintings, visitors can also take a guided tour to find marbled white butterflies, or learn how to handle and fly birds of prey.

The festival will also feature a series of wildlife events; visitors can enjoy a nature walk with the acclaimed naturalist Michael Flowers, and professional falconry displays with Minster Falconry.

Robert Fuller’s Festival Of Wildlife will be open to view daily between 11am and 4.30pm from June 26 to July 11.

For full details of the nature walks and events see robertefuller.com.