Aviemore - A Second Day with the Black Grouse

The second morning arrived at 4am when Jo and Neil came to fetch me at the warm cozy cabin to head out to the Lek to see the Grouse.  The snow had gone but it seemed much colder than the day before, it was showing -1 in the car.  Jo and I fully clad in our thermals and sleeping bag settled into the hide and braved the extreme cold and were treated to another display by two males.  There were sounds in the distance of another male, but he was given a short sharp talking to by the displaying males and was never heard from again that morning.

This experience was just amazing, the noise from the birds and the whole display ritual was breathtaking and made the hair on my neck stand up, the sounds the bird made were incredible and I will never forget them, but have some dodgy blackberry footage if I do.  It was also a serious lesson on exposure as well, the conditions were really challenging for me, black and white birds in low light with snow and falling snow and then the sun came out and then went back in, nightmare so, the pictures are not perfrect, but will be just a good enough excuse to book again with Jo and Neil next year.

I hope you enjoy my offerings anyhow.  Any nature lovers out there, look up www.scottishwildimages.com for a great experience. 

www.neilmcintyre.com

 

Dodgy Blackberry Footage



Aviemore - A second outing today with Scottish Wild Images

We arrived home at about 8.30 after a stunning morning of Black Grouse Photography with Scottish Wild Images.  I was on a high after my grouse experience and wanted to keep the camera going. I was starving and really tired after my early start, but Neil said that I would be able to do some photography at one of his squirrel set ups I had not been to during previous trips with him.  It is always such a special time spending time with these rare beauties, so had a break and some brekkie and then set off again.  By 12 o clock I felt like I had run a marathon.

We placed some nuts out for the squirrels in various places and watched two squirrels come in and play about and eat.  Its cute watching their behaviour and being able to be up close and personal with them, you are able to see the finer details of these animals.  What still amuses me is the noise they make when they come down the trees.  I had a chance to watch one of Neils jumping set ups, its brilliant and the squirrels love it.  They did not stay long, but the hour I spent with them gave me a chance to get a few more shots and also just enjoy being allowed into their little world.  Brilliant, thanks Neil and Jo.

www.scottishwildimages.com

I am doing another morning with the Grouse tomorrow and sharing the hide with Jo, so will be early to bed again tonight, I am shattered!!!

Aviemore - A morning with Black Grouse

This morning we were collected at four am to head out to the hide where we were to watch the Black Grouse.  Neil arrived and got us into the hide shortly before five am.  We did not have to wait long before we could hear the grouse getting closer and coming to the lek where we were treated to some major display work by these birds. 

The snow started falling quite heavily but not to worry as it was still to dark to photograph anything.  The calling and display sounds from the Black Grouse was something I think every wildlife enthusiast should experience. It was incredible. 

When it eventually got lighter the female hens moved in and this caused a bit more excitiment between the male birds.  There was a third male grouse trying to get in on the situation but the two dominant males put a stop to that.  It was all very dramatic.  At about six thirty all the birds disappeared, we thought the show was over but ten minutes later, after we had nearly packed up and left, the two males returned and treated us to a wonderful display for about another hour and a half.  The sun was shining which was a bonus so was able to capture a bit of catchlight in the eyes.  Photographers Dream. 

This afternoon, I am going to have another session with red squirrels with Neil.  My fav.

Below are a couple of shots from this morning, will post some squirrels later if I have any success.  Then I think its gonna be time for a nap as such an early start is a little shock to the system.

Aviemore - A Day of Snow and Pretty Things

I have come to Aviemore for a couple of days away to further appreciate this amazing part of the world, for scenery, wildlife and also to do a couple of sessions of Black Grouse photography with www.scottishwildimages.com.  I have been fortunate enough to photograph with Neil McIntyre a few times over the last few years and was delighted to start speaking to his fiance Jo on www.talkwildlife.com.  It was through this that I discovered the new company they have set up and was chuffed one night to receive and email from Neil and Jo telling me about the new opportunity they have to photograph black grouse.  Please look at the website link above should you think this may be of interest to you.  The time was right for me and they had the availability so here I am.

I am staying in their Capercaillie Cabin which is a very warm and comfortable cabin overlooking the Cairngorm Mountain which are currently covered with snow on the tops.  Last night when I arrived I saw a Buzzard landing on a nearby tree, I love birds of prey and this immediately set my heart racing.  We have not seen many other birds around the cabin but was treated to a sighting of Roe Deer close to the cabin earlier this afternoon.

This was the view from the Cabin at about 6.30 this morning, whilst watching another Buzzard

As I am only due to photograph Grouse tomorrow, we decided to go out this morning to see a couple of spots that I love to visit.  The first place I wanted to see in the snow was a nearby Loch that has a small ruin of a castle.  Loch an Eilein http://www.kincraig.com/walks/loch-an-.htm.  It did not disappoint, when we arrived I was able to get a couple of snap shots of finches and a red squirrel that were at some feeders that had been left out, lots of Pied Wagtails about as well.  Infact we saw loads of Pied Wagtails today. 

Right I need to get ready for bed as I have to be up at 3.30 for Grouse Photography, here are a couple more shots from today from when we went up to the Ski Station up the Cairngorms, passing Loch Morlich and then to the Highland Wildlife Park where I wanted to see the two Polar Bears.  They were just sleeping but made a good shot.  Keep and eye and watch this space for more news.

 

Shetland Islands - Big Ball of Sun on 60N

It kinda took me by surprise yesterday when I was driving home from Lerwick, for a minute I could have thought I was back home in Africa... yes, the sun is shining, I noticed the slipping behind the hill was a big round sun, I had not seen this vision since being in Shetland, so I drove as fast as I could to get to the top of the hill to capture some kinda of image, I made it just in time, had I been two minutes later the sun would just start to slip behind the horizon.  As I turned around I noticed a full moon and also the complete stillness of the water.  AMAZING.

Shetland Islands - I visit Uyea Again

After the major excitement of the Aurora last Sunday evening, I forgot totally that I had been elsewhere that day.  Heregoes.

I think you will all remember when I went to a place called Uyea late last year to photograph baby grey seals, well I decided to go again this year for the main reason of seeing the Mountain Hare in their fluffy white coats,  I noticed when I have travelled there before, the hares are happy to sit, so thought I might get a couple of shots as they dont run for the hills when they see you.  I was able to photograph from the car as well which is a bonus as the skies were clear and it was pretty nippy.

It was a stunningly sunny day so off we went, at the Uyea turn off we went through the first gate and drove for a while and never as much as saw a starling or a gull, on we went, lots of rabbits, and nearing the end of the area we wanted to cover we found three or four hares sitting basking in the sun, they really are so cute and I love watching them, the one I wanted to photograph that was sitting up, washing his face was a bit to far away so had to settle for this big chap sitting at the stunning (not) back drop of a peat bank oh well you cant have everything.  He just sat and looked at me straight down the lens, not bothered at all.  We spent a good twenty minutes or so and decided to leave.  I was just glad to see them.

We decided to head home as the light was getting lower and were pleased to find a flock of about 40 Golden Plover as we approached back into North Roe, that was a bonus, afterall we did not see much else. I have to mention that the plovers were looking very golden in the sun in their winter plumage, just stunning. 

Hope you like my couple of pics.

BEST WISHES FROM MY PATCH ON 60N

Shetland Islands - Auora over my Patch on 60North.

Freezing but rewarding.  I dont have the best lens for landscape and need to work on getting tripod to stand still.  Couple of Images showing the beauty of mother nature shining so bright over my house tonight.