Sandaig Islands in the rain(but with an Otter)

Up early, just after six, to walk to the next bay to look for otters. A calm morning with rain forecast for later, the tide was low so all seemed ideal for a sighting. There was a Red Deer stag on the grass just outside the lodge when we awoke!  I did see a head pop up just off shore but later on saw a grey seal so it may have been that, rather than an otter. After about an hour gave up and went for breakfast.

Headed north from Doune to go to Sandaig Islands, famous as being the spot the Ring of Bright Water otter lived with Gavin Maxwell. We went ashore by dinghy piloted by Steve and spent a couple of hours exploring. Once back on the boat, courtesy of Steve again, we had a cup of tea then spotted an real live otter fishing. It hung around for a good while so everyone tried to take the perfect shot. The distance was a bit too far for most of the time but he/she did oblige by coming onto the rocks close by to finish the fish lunch.

The rain then started to hammer down so we upped anchor and headed to Inverie, to visit the most remote pub in Great Britain.

Knoydart here I come (again).

Just after over three years ago (that’s July 2010) I went to Doune Knoydart, on the West coast of Scotland. This was for a week of photography with the John Lewis photography club. Well, I am off there again. Like last time I am travelling from London on the Caledonian Sleeper from Euston to Fort William then on the West Highland Line to Mallaig. The group will be meeting up there to get onto the Mary Doune boat to Doune on the Knoydart Peninsula.

There are some familiar faces on the trip from 2010 (Anne and Abby) and some people I know from other photography club trips  (Hella Lipper, Kimberley Plumridge and Peter Warne). I will put a complete list of names in the blog once I know them all!

The later date of the trip could make quite a difference to the wildlife we see, as many  of the seabirds will have left their nesting sites for the ocean. However, I did notice an update from Skomer Island, just yesterday, which was reporting the Shearwater chicks still on the island and preparing to leave. So, there maybe some first flight shenanigans to watch and photograph from the Scottish colonies

Other wildlife that may be about could be seals, dolphins and whales on the water and who knows the Red deer rut may be getting under way on land. If we are very lucky then Otters and Golden Eagles might turn up.

The train has been underway for just under an hour (departed at 21:15) so I may go for a wander, there is only one way to go as I am in the front carriage, then tuck in for the night. Breakfast has been booked and will be available in the lounge car from 07:00.

Flickr Tags: Photography,jlppc,September,Scotland,Knoydart,travel,train

Sunday - Stop Mucking about

Isle of Muck

An hour & a half trip to the Isle of Muck. One of the smaller Inner Hebrides. We were dropped off at the pier and headed inland. Being a Sunday the tea Shop was closed, and the island very quiet.

Walked around to Gannach and beyond to the renovated stone cottage with turf roof and the shell beaches (beaches which are covered in small shells). Spent plenty of time taking scenic shots of the views across to Eigg and Rum. On the way back we headed across to the beach on the South side, a scenic spot, but just like any other beach, it was heavily littered with plastic washed in from the sea. There were bottles, crates and even traffic bollards!

After a few abortive attempts for a short cut back we returned to Gannach and then on the road back to the boat for a cuppa and the journey back to Doune.

Dinner
Peanut Homus
Venison Salami
Sherry Trifle

End of the first day.

Breakfast at 8 in the lounge car, much like a aircraft meal but with better scenery! The train arrived on time at Fort William which left just over two hours to spend in town before the 12:12 train to Mallaig. Wandered along the high street and bought a few bits in Mountain Warehouse. Two pairs of Merino socks on two for one offer and a head torch, bargain!  Then had a coffee and flapjack in Ossains, where I had lunch in 2010.
It was noticeable how many shops had gone out of business since my last visit.

Back to the station and retrieved luggage from the left luggage lockers. Once the train came in found Abby and Tina and in bright sunshine we made the trip to Mallaig; along the world's most scenic railway route.

Once in town had lunch (Haddock in Oats and Breadcrumb, with chips and peas) in the Steam Inn.

After lunch we bumped into our skipper and slowly the group congregated by the Mary Doune.

At about 5 PM we headed on the 15 minute trip from Maillaig to Doune.

Dinner
Beetroot & tomato soup
Poached salmon
Chocolate Orange pudding

ACC Q1 DPI

Ashford Camera Club Projected Images for 2013, Quarter One

I have submitted two images one general and one nature.

The general image was taken on a boat trip on the Thames in Summer 2012, it was a lovely day with great company. The food was good too!

The nature picture is of an Egyptian Goose taken at the WWT centre in Barnes, London.

Sunny Morning in Stroude

A very sunny Sunday so I went for a walk around Stroude to catch some late autumn colour. The walk was quite successful and along the way I spotted Roe Deer, a fox, green woodpecker and red kite.
I was using a wide angle lens so the wildlife had to take second place to the landscape and trees.

 The slight frost overnight left a lot of dew on the grass and undergrowth. This did make the ground very wet underfoot so wellies and waterproof trousers were needed.

Sparkling dew

 The shot I had in mind at this location didn't quite work out as the sun was in the wrong position. Looking at the map I don't think it would ever be right unless the sun rises in the North! It still made a pleasing picture.

Still reflection

 The colours of the leaves had lost some of their early autumn punch but the clear blue sky did allow for good colour contrast.

Yellow on Blue

Under the tree canopy I looked for fungi but there were very few to be seen. NOt to be outdone I took this shot looking back toward the sun.

Shady Birch Trees

As the morning warmed up I noticed lots of dragonflies pairing up and darting about the waters edge. They were moving very quickly so were had to get in frame, here is one of the better shots. Looking online they seem likely to be Ruddy Darter!

Ruddy Darters

As I was about to put the camera away and head home I spotted a Red Kite circling above.

Red Kite

All in all a most pleasant walk on a warm, sunny Sunday. 

Deer Rut in Richmond Park

Deer rut in Richmond Park - An Iain Green Photography day. http://www.naturebygreen.com/

Following on the training days I have done at WWT Barnes with Iain Green I decided to go to one of the guided days in Richmond Park to photograph the deer rut. This is a regular event run by Iain and one of his photos from here features on the cover of his book. (Which incidentally I won in the intermediate photography day last year).

We a group  of four and Iain) met at 07:45 on a dull day and immediately saw a small herd of red deer with a large stag keeping order. There was a minor challenge from a smaller stag but a few bellows and a trot towards him from the 'boss' soon put paid to that. The London skyline was just about visible but it was quite murky.

The morning brightened slightly but the skies remained overcast and later on the rain returned. Despite this there were plenty of deer to see and much bellowing echoing across the park.

There was plenty of autumn colour in the trees and bracken, it just needed a bright blue sky to really make the colours stand out.

As the light was low I took advantage of the longer shutter speed to try a zoom burst of the leaves.

We came across several types of fungi were growing up in the grass and dead tree trunks.

The walk finished at 2 P.M. and shortly after that the rain really came down hard so I was glad to be back in the car.