The river bank section of my dio is now complete.
Coments and anything you think I've overlooked welcome as always.

more detail

Looking pretty good... I like the Cat tails, they could use a few more grass strand around them, at least here in the states if you see cat tails they are thick...

The bank looks good... May be add a few more varieties of plant life to spice it up a bit. When I do ground work I really try to use a variety of different plant life to achive a natural look. You are doing well... I know you have been watching Big Jon's dio, I sent him out on a walkabout the country side, areas where the setting was similar to what he was modeling . I think it was a big help to him to have a look about and to really see how many different species of plants may be encountered. Great job! What did you use for the cat tails?

That's starting to come together nicely Lieutenant. Thanks for the update - will you be adding a small stream or puddles of water under the bridge?

If its just going to be damp should there be the outline of a drying up river bed or am I not reading the setting clearly?

Some small stones or rocks woudl also add a little more detail, sorry just seen a few - a little variation or additional plant life as Paul says would be good also.

Thanks for posting - looking good so far.

Cheers

Al

thanks Paul, I think you're right about the extra reeds around the cat tails, will add some more to them.
The cat tails were made using strands of natural coloured hemp, coated in white glue to make them straight and stiff. the heads were then made by dipping the end in white glue and then coating the end with Tea leaves from a Tea bag. while still wet, the heads were shaped but squeazing them between my fingers until the desired shape was formed.
It was a bit of an experiment really, but I'm very pleased with the result.
Heads were finally painted with dark brown, almost black paint.
I'm sure I've seen an article somewhere on making Cat tails but couldn't find it after looking through my books at home.
thanks
Shultz

Well I think you did a great job on them... They look nice, a few more reeds and you will be good to go!

Ken, thanks vert much for the picture, this is just what I was thinking of most helpful
Thanks

:-)

coming along nicely now,i agree with more reeds around the cats tails,i would also make the grass bank and reeds a nice lush green as they would be in nature due to the permanent supply of water from the stream

thanks for the comments guys, always good to hear other people's views
I thought about the river bed alot, I was thinking more of a withered drying out stream, the Dio is sometime in July, height of summer, so probably has had a good 3 weeks of no rain. starting to get a little parched.

This is looking great so far. I love the cattails, hope you dont mind if I borrow your idea for them I understand your point on wanting to makee it seemed a little parched. Have you googled pics on google? I have found that some plants that are along the water line are often oversaturated and the lower parts of their stalks will be yellowed. I am starting to love this dio. Looking forward to the next update. cheers Kevin

Kevin,
Thanks for the comments mate, really appreciate it.
your work is outstanding, the "Big Russian" dio has had me very interested over the last few weeks.
As for the Cat tail method of mine, go ahead and use it....only glad people find it worth using.

Thanks again
Shultz

Gday Leftenant
Think Alan is spot on here with the need for variety in the mud/dirt bank where the stagnant water last would have laid... And definitely some stones/rocks and smaller yonnies...
Love the bullrushes though!
Cheers
Brad