Western Isles revisited

I have not been to the Hebrides for almost ten years having travelled there extensively in the past. Needing images of hen harriers for my new bird of prey talk was my excuse to take a short trip to Skye and then on to the Uists. Only two days though meant that I was under pressure to cram in as much as possible and I was pleased to add lots of images to the portfolio. Including some okish images of my main target species.

  

These black throated divers were a nice surprise on Loch Druidibeg.

A couple of landscape shots including this one of the black Cullin mountains on Skye

Short eared owls are thriving on the hebrides and can be found hunting in any suitable moorland or grassland habitat.

Terrific tufty!

A few days at Centerparcs in the Lake District was great for the family and we had brilliant weather whilst the rest of the country suffered. Best bit though was the pair of red squirrels behind our cabin.

I had of course taken a big tub of peanuts so the little fellows soon got used to my daily offerings and I had several chances to photograph them in the morning and evenings.

Not all good news there though as squirrel pox has hit the colony hard with maybe 60% having succumbed. Certainly we didn't see squirrels anywhere else on the 400 acre site and the rangers were very concerned.

I have photographed red squirrels in Scotland and Lancashire before but was pleased to get a wider portfolio of shots with these ones. A lovely subject that I could photograph again and again though.

Back to the Forest

Lured back to the Forest of Dean in the hope of Goshawk images I enjoyed a lovely sunny day. Unfortunately though my main subjects of Goshawk and boar eluded me and even the adders, dipper and pied flycatchers would not pose nicely. There was plenty of wildlife around though so I didn't come back completely empty handed.

Searching for boar turned up this fine roe buck in the bluebells. And whilst watching the peregrines at Symond's Yat Rock I was distracted by this wood mouse (or might it be a yellow necked mouse?) dashing and grabbing seed from near the viewpoint wall.

Finally instead of the little owls I was hoping for this red legged partridge posed for my camera. Some days you just have to take what you can get!

Another Highland winter

I have been wanting to get back to the highlands in the snowy winter months for a few years and this February managed to get a few days there.

In the Findhorn Valley the mountain hares were numerous and some quite confiding.

This particular hare was so un-fussed by our presence that I was able to use the full range of lenses. This image is with a 16mm wide angle and it was great to show the vast mountain habitat.

 Some coveys of red grouse were in the snow as well and made for some interesting compositional opportunities.

 
 A couple of hours at Loch Garten were also rewarded with some great views of crested tits. Nice light made it a very productive photography session too