Images from a tour of Scotland. The weather was predictably poor most days which meant we got almost nothing on Skye and a trip to Harris had to be abandoned. Weather is also the reason that most of these images are waterfalls. Was a great trip and can’t wait to go back.
UK
Bluebells
Each year in late April and early May we are treated to a beautiful woodland spectacle. Carpets of bluebells bring a splash of joyful colour. We’re lucky enough to have several prime locations close to us. A friend took us to his favourite spot and here’s the first selection of images. We’ll try other locations in the next couple of weeks. After that it’ll all be over for another year.
Birds of the Farne Islands, UK
All about the Puffins. Sadly in decline. Go see them while you can.
Red Kites – UK
The red kite is a large raptor that is mainly a scavenger and carrion feeder. Once lauded for keeping medieval streets clean, by the 20th century it had been persecuted to the point of near extinction in the UK. Only a few breeding pairs remained in Wales. A successful reintroduction programme has transformed the fortunes of the bird, helped in part by large scale feeding programmes operated on a commercial basis, the most famous of which is Gigrin Farm in Wales which is where these photographs were taken. There are so many birds in the sky during the 30 minutes or so of the feeding spree that it is difficult to pick out individual birds, especially if aiming for the tricky diving shot.
White Tailed Sea Eagles – Isle of Skye, UK
White tailed sea eagles were extinct in the UK after the last bird was shot in the early twentieth century. They were successfully reintroduced to the west coast of Scotland in the 1990s with a further reintroduction to the east coast of Scotland from 2007. Presented here are photographs of a juvenile and an adult sea eagle, taken off the coast of the Isle of Skye.
Seabirds of Bempton, UK
Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve, on the coast of Yorkshire in England is an internationally important seabird breeding colony. Famous for its gannets, the cliffs are also home to razorbills, puffins and fulmar to name a few. Tree sparrow and short-eared owl are worth looking out for too.
Common Kingfisher – UK
Most often seen as a flash of blue alongside a river or stream, we were thrilled to be able to photograph this cooperative handsome chap recently. A long day in a cold hide is not really our preferred way to photograph but the results were worth the discomfort.