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It was lovely bright morning almost perfect for a bit of photography at the hide.

Considering I didn't go last week and the feeders were totally empty it's amazing how quickly the birds arrive after they have been filled.

The Robin or Tits are usually first to arrive and just flit back and to all the time.


Blue Tit

The Robin is obviously extremely territorial and although it doesn't appear to bother too much about the tits, he chases most of the other birds of equal size.


Robin

I could hear the Wrens calling for most of the morning and one only made a very brief appearance however I did manage to get a photo.


Wren

A number of Pheasants turned up, male and female, however because I'm using a 500mm lens I can only get the head in the frame.


Male Pheasant


Female Pheasant

A number of Goldfinch were back and to and although I did get some photos they aren't brilliant.


Goldfinch

Last time I went to the hide I said that I hadn't seen any Coal Tits or Long Tail Tits, I can now say that I've seen Long Tail Tits but they were only there for a a few seconds before they flew on.

A Mistle Thrush made a very brief appearance before that also flew on.

A number of Blackbirds were back and to along with Dunnock, House Sparrow and Chaffinch. I also caught sight of a Goldcrest more than once but it didn't stay still long enough to get a decent shot.


Dunnock


House Sparrow

Mute Swan over, along with Crows and Wood Pigeon, I could also hear Buzzard somewhere quite close but I didn't see it.

A nice morning!!

Thanks for reading.

Andy

Bramblings are very similar to Chaffinch in size and shape although their colouring is somewhat different with the male having a black head, an orange breast and white belly.

Apparently you can see them from Mid September onwards but generally on the East Coast.

They are by no means frequent visitors to our garden feeders and I was very surprised to see one on the feeders on Saturday.

It is certainly the earliest I’ve seen one in our garden and it’s usually well in to the Winter months, January to March when they are struggling to find seed.


Brambling

We often see Crows flying over the garden but up until Saturday they never land, so it was another surprise to see a Crow in the garden as well. We also get the one or two Magpies from time to time but Saturday we had five or six at the same time, presumably all from the same family.

The seed in the feeders generally lasts four or five days but the birds have been emptying them in about two days, I’m assuming they are feeding up for the winter.

So there appears to be some unusual activity going on in our garden at least.

Last but not least I found lots of light coloured feathers in the garden the other day so no doubt the Sparrowhawks visits to the feeders paid dividends. We do get cats lurking in the shrubs as well, so it could also have been a cat but I hope it was the Sparrowhawk!

Cheers

Andy

People say don’t work with animals and children so I’m obviously a glutton for punishment and worked with both in one photo session.

The children were really nice but the pets, dogs, were really hard work particularly the Bulldogs, the Jack Russell was easier.

It was also the first time I’d taken the studio lights and background to someones house for a photo session, so I can now say I have a mobile studio!

It took a little longer to set up than I anticipated but Sarah and Claire were ok with that.

The first session taking photos of the girls went fine but the second session with the dogs, that wasn’t so fine.

Sarah & Claire wanted some photos of the two dogs together so I started with that first, that was definitely a bit of a nightmare. If we could get one dog facing the camera, the other one would be facing in the opposite direction!!


Probably the best shot of the two dogs together

Not even enticing them with meat could encourage them to sit and pose together.

We gave up on that after about 15mins of trying everyone’s patience. Separating them and taking individual photos of them came next, it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be but after about ten minutes of trying I eventually got some reasonable shots of the first one.


A very pregnant Jess - 2 weeks to go

Enter the second dog, and it was just as bad as the first so it’s a good job I have the patience of a saint! But I eventually did get some decent shots.


Ruby


Last but not least in came Briersey the Jack Russell, apparently named after Lee Briers and just like its namesake, he was definitely a bit of a livewire.

Briersey was definitely more of a poser and a livewire all in one, so I got some really nice shots of this little Jack Russell.


Briersey the livewire Jack Russell

Overall a successful photographic session but very difficult to get some decent shots!!


Composite photograph of Jess & Ruby

Andy

Saturday

I went to the hide on Saturday but after getting some nice views of the birds on the previous weekends it was very poor.

There didn’t appear to be many birds around even though it was quite bright and not too cold.

Even the frequent flyers to the feeders like Blue and Great Tit were intermittent and at one stage I sat for 45mins without seeing a visiting bird!

Even so I still managed to get a few decent photos.


Blue Tit


Robin

Sunday

Some time ago I’d booked to go on a woodland workshop and it seemed a good idea at the time.

However when I woke up on Sunday the forecasted rain was well and truly lashing down.

With reservation I got myself ready, thermal vest, polo shirt, jumper, Fleece, Weatherproof Jacket, neck warmer, multicoloured stupid hat, weatherproof pants, boots.

Well that was me weatherproofed, I hoped.

Check of equipment, got everything, including flask of coffee, sandwiches and biscuits that my wife made me take.

Loaded up the car and got on the road. At this stage it wasn’t raining and I was hopeful that even if not bright and sunny it wouldn’t rain. After a 45min drive I arrived at Roddlesworth Woods.

It was still pretty miserable but not raining so I was still hopeful. I decided to pay a quick visit to the loo and things started to deteriorate. A zip malfunction on my brand new Paramo pants, a piece of material jammed in the zip and could I zip myself up, no I couldn’t, I eventually broke the zip messing about!! Not a happy chappy.

Shortly after the person running the workshop turned up and introduced the other three attendees and went through the format of the workshop, etc.

After that we made our way into the woods the first sight of which looked stunning with a bright orange carpet of leaves covering the ground.

We left the path and made our way down the embankment to take some pictures of a moss covered tree that Andy was aware of.


Moss covered tree

We spent 30mins or so in the area taking photos of whatever took our fancy. Unfortunately during this time the rain started again only lightly but it was raining.

I also managed to lose my footing and fall over; luckily the camera was in the bag at the time but I received a real mud bath.

We then moved to a different area to try and get some water shots, the rain had now turned into a downpour, not nice. Unfortunately I didn’t have any camera protection but luckily Andy had a spare camera cover that he lent me. It’s a pity my spectacles didn’t have windscreen wipers fitted because I couldn’t see what I was doing.

On the plus side the rain does enhance the colours of the leaves, especially with a polariser fitted on the lens.


Autumn Leaves on Rock/b]



After that we moved upstream to take some photos of a small waterfall. With all the rain that had fallen there was plenty of water flowing over it and apparently it wasn’t as photogenic as usual.

I did take some photos in the area and there is one I like but it has been heavily edited in Photoshop; It is very abstract for me and I don’t expect many people to like it but someone might.


Autumnal Reds

Unfortunately it was still pouring down, I was soaked and I didn’t think it was doing the camera any good every time I took the cover off the camera to take a shot. To be honest I didn’t think that any of the photos would be any good either due to the rain on the lens, so I decided to call it a day and left the others to carry on with the workshop.

On the way back I had to walk through a flooded stream and got my feet soaking wet as the level of water went over my boots. Then I managed to take the wrong path and had to retrace my steps eventually and it was still raining; I couldn’t have got any wetter though!



I eventually made my way back to the car and boy was I glad to sit in it!! After eating a sandwich I started the journey back and it was still raining.

I had phoned my wife to tell her I was on the way back and there was a nice hot lunch and bubble bath waiting for me when I got home.

Incredibly when I uploaded the photos onto the computer there were a few that looked pretty good. Even the ones that suffered from rain on the front of the lens don’t look too bad and I was wondering if I could get away with saying it is artistic effect.

I have now dried out along with the camera equipment without ill effect.

Cheers

Andy

It was my daughter Kathryns’ birthday and she had a small party at the Widnes Vikings ground.

Of course she wanted some photographs taking and dad duly obliged.



I could have been really organised/professional and taken the background and studio lights and tried some event photography but I made do with the normal flash unit.

I don’t like using the small flash as I’ve had some really bad times with it but
everything went ok and I produced some really nice shots.



cheers

Andy

It was quite a nice weekend and certainly bright enough for photography but where to go, I was torn between visiting the hide and going down to “Woolston Eyes”.

In the end I decided to go to the hide on Saturday and Sunday mainly because I know that I can get really close up shots of the birds even if they are the common ones that we can all see most days in our gardens.

Saturday

Blue Tits & Great Tits are flitting about most of the time and Saturday was no exception.


Blue Tit

The other birds that put in an appearance were Goldfinch, Wren, Pheasant (male & female), Dunnock, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Robin and Magpie. Buzzard, Crow and plenty of Woodpigeons were also flying over.


House Sparrow

After packing up and going home, I was looking at the feeding station in the garden and there was a juvenile Sparrowhawk perched on the fence. Sparrowhawks are quite frequent visitors to the garden but generally they disappear quite quickly, this one perched for a reasonable length of time and I managed to get some decent shots through the window.


Sparrowhawk

Sunday

Mostly the same birds seen again minus the House Sparrow and Magpie, they were however replaced by Blackbird and Great Spotted Woodpecker.


Great Spotted Woodpecker

I don’t see many Blackbirds or Greenfinch during my visits to the hide and definitely not Coal Tits or Long Tailed Tits. Which seems a little odd as I only live a short distance away and they are frequent flyers to the feeders in our garden. But when you can get really good views of Wren and Goldcrest; I don’t really think it’s a problem.


Wren

I paid another visit to the hide on Saturday morning and had a really good photo session.

After topping the feeders up it didn’t take long for the birds to arrive with Blue Tit and Great Tit being frequent visitors.


Great Tit

I didn’t see a Robin during my last visit but that was soon remedied and he posed nicely.


Robin

After a while I heard the ticking of Wrens there was obviously more than one around but as they are skulking birds and spend most of their time in the undergrowth they weren’t easy to see. However one did come out into the open eventually and gave me my best shot of a Wren. I’m pleased about that.


Wren

I hadn’t seen any Goldfinch during my last visit but a couple turned up to feed on the Sunflower seeds but they didn’t pose at all.

A Dunnock made itself known and he posed nicely for a while.


Dunnock

A Magpie turned up but he only landed for a microsecond before he was off again. Magpies did come in earlier in the year but they do seem very timid and the slightest noise and they’re off. I’m hoping for a Jay to turn up as they are around in the area but from experience they are also extremely flighty.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew in and landed long enough to take a couple of shots, I hadn’t seen Great spotted Woodpecker from the hide before so that was a first.


Great Spotted Woodpecker

A pair of Pheasants strolled in for a look around they didn’t stay long but long enough to get a few shots.


Pheasant


The Tits were flying in and out all the time offering a constant supply of photo opportunities.

I’d been in the hide for about three hours and it was reaching time for home when I saw a small bird fly into the Conifers that I was pretty sure was a Goldcrest, our smallest bird along with the Firecrest. I scanned the conifers and eventually caught sight of it and yes Goldcrest confirmed.

Unfortunately it is a bit like the Wren and doesn’t spend much time out into the open and it quickly disappeared into the conifers.

I was definitely reluctant to leave now and kept willing it to reappear and it did, even long enough for me to get a few decent shots. My only photos of Goldcrest have been taken on the feeders in my garden so I was pleased to get something more natural looking.


Goldcrest

Shortly afterwards I went home feeling very pleased with my mornings efforts.

Thanks for reading.

Andy

It is nice and does give me a bit of a boost when I’m asked to take some photos.

St Maries junior teams had just got a new kit and wanted a team photo taking but had been let down by other photographers; perhaps their charges were too high!

Anyway one of my daughters asked me if I’d take the photos after the training session at the Stobart Stadium in Widnes.

It must be 40yrs since I’d been in the ground and of course it was then Naughton Park; I even played there on a couple of occasions.

When I walked out on to the pitch I was totally amazed, the stadium looked superb nothing like the old days. The pitch was full of lads training and quite a few parents were watching the younger ones.

At the end of the session the lads went off and changed into their new kit. I was a bit apprehensive, as I couldn’t remember taking a team photo before and certainly not under floodlights!!

I had set the camera up before I left home, checked the batteries and all the rest of it so like a coiled spring I was ready for action.

The coach wanted to see if we could get the words Vikings from the stand behind in the frame, so we gave that a whirl first. There isn’t anything wrong with the photo but it doesn’t actually work as a team photo, the team are too small in the frame.



After that I zoomed in with the 24-70ml lens I was using and took a couple more frames.

Remarkably the lads posed themselves, made sure the ball was in the middle and the correct way up and didn’t mess about; obviously the pros of the future.


Original shot

I then took some photos of some of the players with the sponsors, I think they were their dads really, or if they weren’t they bore a remarkable resemblance to some of the players.



I then took photos of the players individually.

I think the session went well but one or two of the photos could have been better.


Final Team Photo

It took a bit of time to reach the end product but well worth the effort and seems to have gone down quite well with some people.

cheers

Andy

Since my photo buddy Neill moved to pastures new I haven’t been to the hide that we set up.

However I did see the lady that owns the land and I asked if it was still ok to visit the hide and luckily she agreed.

So I visited the hide on Sunday and as I expected the area had become overgrown with nettles, Himalayan Balsam, grass and the hide itself was minging. Spider’s webs, other insects and the rodents of the fields had been visiting by the looks of things.

Armed with a brush and shovel I set about the place and after a short while it was looking much better. I wouldn’t say a home from home but clean enough to sit in.

I flattened some of the vegetation around the feeding station and filled the feeders then waited with the camera.

The first visitor to call was Coal Tit followed quickly by Great Tit and then Dunnock.


Great Tit monochrome conversion


Dunnock

I could hear the clicking of a Wren for a while and it eventually gave a clear view and a chance of a reasonable shot. Most of my other shots of Wren have been in the depths of the undergrowth so it was a nice change to get a picture under well-lit conditions!


Wren

There was plenty of activity overhead with Crow, Wood Pigeon and some of the smaller birds flying around. I could also hear the mew of Buzzard but couldn’t see it and then two flew over in quick succession.

As I was making my way back I also saw Pheasants and a Sparrowhawk.


Sparrowhawk a bit distant for a good photo

It wasn’t a very long visit but there was plenty to see and hopefully it will give me the opportunity to get some more nice shots in the future.


Great Tit on the single perch I currently have

I know however that I need to get a variety of perches to photograph the birds on but I have a feeling that finding suitable perches may be easier said than done. It’s certainly something to think about.

Cheers

Andy

Unfortunately due to poor weather, family issues, illness and so on I haven’t paid much attention to my website although I have managed to do some photography when possible.

I had an excellent time at Knowsley Safari Park on a workshop run by Wild Arena.



I’ve been to Venice for a few days and managed to take a few nice shots mainly buildings and so on.



I managed to take a few shots whilst on the journey back to the airport in the water taxi, not an easy task when your being tossed about the back of the boat.


The water taxi airport run

I’ve also made a long overdue visit to Woolston Eyes, unfortunately there wasn’t anything unusual around but it’s always a nice place to visit and generally I don’t see anyone else.


Shoveler at Woolston Eyes

When I’ve had the time I’ve been developing my Photoshop skills and spent a lot of time learning how to do compositing properly. I’m getting quite good at it now even if I do say so myself!!



I’ll have to spend some time uploading some of the photos I’ve taken over the last month or so.

Cheers

Andy

I made a long overdue visit to Woolston Eyes on Monday, the weather didn’t look very promising as I wandered along the track to the centre hide and true to form I received a good drenching.

So the morning started in a bit of a downpour but it ended in glorious sun! There were the usual waterfowl around, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, Canada Geese(20) and Mute Swans(8) were plentiful along with Coot and Moorhen. No raptors and no Grey Herons.


Shoveler

Unfortunately nothing unusual turned up but I had a great morning and some of the birds ventured near the edge of the centre pool resulting in some nice shots. The Mute Swans were quite active, the Canada Geese posed nicely and the Shoveler did a bit of stretching


Mute Swan


Canada Goose

There were also quite a few butterfly on the wing, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma and some Dragonfly.


Small Tortoiseshell

Last weekend was quite busy as we had visits from family and relatives who all wanted photographs taking.

One couple are setting up a website to sell dog beds made from a waterproof material, another pair are setting up a website to sell various accessories for pets and finally another group wanted some family shots taking.

I’ve got to say I’ve not taken many photographs of objects and was at a bit of a loss of how to take a photograph that showed off a dark coloured dog bed to its best advantage.


Tuffmutts dog beds

We did try putting a dog on the dog bed but it didn’t want to know so that avenue closed pretty rapidly. People say never work with animals and children and I think there may be something in that.

The pet accessory shots went ok as I do have a light tent that I could use. However a couple of the products were packaged in a cellophane type material and even with a polarising filter on the lens to reduce the reflections the photographs weren’t good!
If anyone has some ideas on how to reduce reflections without removing the packaging let me know.


Empetz

The portrait session went ok, although initially I had a problem with the flash exposure meter and also the remote flash trigger; luckily both problems resolved themselves after a few minutes.



This session also gave me the opportunity to try out the black background as well as the highlight background. Unfortunately we didn’t change to the black background until near the end of the session and we only managed to take about 10 shots before they’d had enough. Personally I think I prefer the shots taken with the dark background.



I’ve reviewed the photographs and there a few failures due to the usual reasons like someone shutting their eyes or pulling a funny face just as the shutter opens. However I do think Richard & Emma should be able to find some photographs they like out of them.

This session also gave me an opportunity to try and produce some different styles of photograph. I like what I’ve produced but whether they are to Richard and Emmas’ taste I’m not sure; although I like them I don’t think I’d display them in the living room though.





Thanks for reading.

Andy

I'm not a member of a photographic club and I don't enter many competitions but after a lot of thought I did enter some photographs in the local Stockton Heath Photographic Competition as the theme was wildlife.

Anyway I won the public vote and received a voucher for £30 towards the cost of a canvas bonded print.



So a big thank you to those that voted for my photograph.

cheers

Andy

The weather hasn’t really been conducive to outdoor photography for the last few weeks but I have managed to take some photographs and visit a couple of places.
On the 30th of June I attended an evening landscape workshop ran by Andy Latham with my good friend Barry.
As we were driving to the location, Winskill Stones Nature Reserve, the weather was atrocious. But as we arrived the rain eased off and it didn’t rain again all evening.
Although we didn’t get the sunset we were hoping for the light was dramatic and moody at times and I obtained some nice photographs.


The view from just above Winskill Stones

Just a 20minute walk from the limestone pavement is Catrigg Force a lovely waterfall that is tucked away in a deep tree lined gorge; apparently one of the famous composer Elgar’s favourite spots. The falls do require a little effort to reach but the track leading to it is very good. If you do go, the rocks at water level are very slippy so be careful.


Catrigg Force

Within the area there is a small limestone pavement with a lone Hawthorn Tree, something that I’ve wanted to photograph for a long time. Many people will have seen photographs of the lone tree at Malham Cove so this is a bit of a change. There are also excellent views with Pen y Ghent and Ingleborough clearly profiled.


Lone Hawthorn & Limestone Pavement


Lone Hawthorn Tree at Dusk


View to Pen-y-Ghent

08th July

I visited Woolston Eyes and there were quite a few Black-necked Grebes to be seen some feeding their young. Lots of waterfowl around including, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Shelduck, Plenty of Great Crested Grebe diving for fish and a few Little Grebe also around. The usual Coots, Moorhens, Canada Geese and Greylag Geese along with Black-headed Gulls were also very apparent.


Black-necked Grebe - From Rotary Hide

Woolston Eyes

Black Necked Grebes (Brian Martin)

2012 has been a ‘better’ year than the recent past for this nationally important species on “The Eyes”. From the first arrival recorded on 17 March adult numbers increased to at least 24 individuals. By June there were at least 9 confirmed breeding pairs with a total of 14 young recorded.
Despite the poor weather throughout most of the breeding term, the young broods have faired well. A number of now independent young have been noticed exercising with short flight attempts on the water surface. We estimate some will start to leave the Reserve to spread out in the next week or so. A number of adult birds have already left but the remaining birds are still providing excellent views of adults and feeding young from the hides.


Black-necked Grebes - Adults & chick

Recent Sightings at Wioolston

14th July
No3 Bed - Many birds still in song, desperately trying to complete a breeding attempt - double figures of Reed Warblers and a few Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Reed Buntings, Wrens, Greenfinches etc.
No1 bed Reed Warblers, Reed Buntings and Linnets.


Blackcap No3 Bed

15th July
A Greenshank was in front of the John Morgan Hide. Also seen were 2 adult Black-necked Grebes and 4 independent juveniles.

Andy Weir

Our wonderful summer weather has been pretty well none existent since our holiday in Scotland and I’ve not ventured out with the camera. So other than trying a few different techniques with some flower photography in the house I’ve not done an awful lot of photography recently. The shots which I do quite like were posted in the latest photographs at the time.

My friend Barry is up in Grassington for the week so I arranged to meet up with him yesterday with a view of trying some landscape photography. The weather in Warrington was fine when I set out and driving up there the weather was fine, a little overcast but definitely not raining. About 2 miles from Grassington the drizzle started by the time I met up with Barry it was downright miserable with the rain lashing down.

After a while it eased off and we thought we’d drive to Ribblehead and try to get some shots of the viaduct, as I’ve never seen it close up. Unfortunately the weather had other ideas!!

By the time we arrived it was drizzling nicely but we could see the viaduct probably about ¼ of a mile away. After donning our weather wear we wandered off in the direction of the viaduct.

Not quite in the blink of an eye but it didn’t take very long to reach the viaduct. Unfortunately however within a few minutes of reaching it, the cloud had descended and the visibility had reduced to about 130ft or about 3 arches.

A bit about the Viaduct

Ribblehead viaduct is 440 yards (400 m) long, and 104 feet (32 m) above the valley floor at its highest point. It is made up of twenty-four arches of 45 feet (14 m) span, with foundations 15 feet (4.6 m) deep. It was designed by the engineer John Sydney Crossley. The first stone was laid on 12 October 1870 and the last in 1874. One thousand Navvies were used to build the viaduct and 100 of them lost their lives during construction.

A fantastic example of Victorian building!

We made our way back to the car and met a few ghostly walkers as they appeared out of the mists and quickly passed back into it again. The atmosphere was quite eerie and made more so by the evocative and dinstictive bubbling call of the Curlews that we could here not too far away.

It was definitely disappointing not to see the viaduct in reasonable light and to be able to photograph it so I haven’t got anything to insert here.

Whether the weather be hot
Whether the weather be cold
I’ll wether the weather
Whatever the weather
Whether I like it or not.

A bit like life really.

After driving around in the mist for a while we eventually made our way to Aysgarth Falls.

Barry parked up on the main road and we walked down quite a steep road to the falls, being honest I was thinking more about how I was going to get back up the hill more than the view of the falls still to come.

The road passes over the River Ure and there is a gate and a path on the left that takes you to a viewpoint, costs £1 per adult to enter the viewpoint. It’s a pretty good view of the top fall but doesn’t allow you to take a photograph of all the falls. Whether you can get down anywhere to take a photograph of all the falls I don’t know but it looked like the only place was from the bridge over the river. With my fall at the waterfall on the Isle of Mull still fresh in my mind I wasn’t attempting to find out if there were any other routes to a better viewpoint at water level.


Aysgarth Falls

I took some photos using an ND filter to lengthen the shutter speed to give the water that milky effect that seems so popular at the moment. I also tried some shots at varying exposures to attempt producing an HDR photo.


None HDR


HDR

Having compared the HDR photograph against one that hasn’t had the HDR treatment I think there is a difference but which one is better I wouldn’t like to say. Its down to individual taste I suppose but I think I prefer the HDR.

Having read up on Aysgarth Falls it appears there is an Upper, Middle and Lower Falls. I’m assuming we were at the Upper Falls but exactly where the other ones are and how to reach them I don’t know.

After that I reluctantly made my way back to the hill not looking forward to the steepness of the ascent. It wasn’t really Everest, and I made it to the top puffing quite a lot and very red in the face.

We then made our way back to Grassington, a pint and well earned bar meal. After that I bid my farewells and made my weary way home.

I’d had an excellent day with my old friend Barry whose knowledge about almost everything appears to be unlimited. The weather had conspired against us but what the heck, when your in such good company.

Cheers

Andy

On Thursday morning it was time for our trip to the Treshnish Islands, we had made the same trip about six years earlier and I’ve wanted to return ever since. This is a must do trip for anyone who loves Puffins and there are quite a few other sea birds to see as well, including Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar, possibly Skua, etc. And who knows what may turn up in the sea as well as on it.

The boat leaves Ulva Ferry at 11:30 and the trip costs £50/person. It takes around 45mins to reach the first destination Staffa and you have around an hour on the island. The boat then leaves Staffa for Lunga and you have 2hrs on this island to marvel at the Puffins. Many people don’t bother to move away from the Puffins as they are so enchanting.

Anyway our boat Hoy Lass left Ulva promptly at 11:30 but the boat didn’t appear to be full and most people sat on the top, even though the weather was overcast and windy.

We left Ulva heading south through the Sound of Ulva a narrow channel separating Mull and Ulva.

We then travelled round the southern tip of Ulva and even though there was a breeze and the sky still overcast the sea was relatively calm.

Leaving Ulva and Gometra we headed out towards our first destination the island of Staffa the southern most island of the Treshnish group of islands.


Leaving Ulva towards Staffa

Staffas' most famous feature is Fingals' Cave, a large sea cave located near the southern tip of the island some 20m high and 75m long formed in cliffs of hexagonal basalt columns. This cliff-face is called the Colonnade or The Great Face and it was these cliffs and its caves that inspired Felix Mendelssohns' Die Hebriden (English: Hebrides Overture opus 26). The original gaelic name for Fingals' Cave is An Uamh Bhin – "the melodious cave". Mendelssohn was inspired by the sound of the waves in the cave and waxed lyrical about his visit.

The skipper of the boat sailed the boat around to view Fingals Cave head on then with the precision of a surgeon manouvered the boat toward the darkness of the cave almost moving into it. Even though the skipper had probably done this manouver many times before, with the swell of the waves there wasn’t much room either side of the boat. I thought I could hear some music playing but I may have been imagining that.


Fingals' Cave

The boat then pulled back and sailed around to the tiny landing point passing Am Buachaille “The Herdsman” a pyrimidial shaped rock made up from the hexagonal basalt rock.


Am Buachaille “The Herdsman”

When you alight from the boat you can walk along the base of the cliffs to view Fingals Cave or walk up the narrow and steep steps to the cliff tops and wander around the island. The young and fit can do both but as we are neither fit or young we decided to climb to the top of the steps and take photographs from there. It also doesn’t help when you have brought too much gear with you!! We were quite content with that.


Thrift growing on the cliff



Southern coastline of Staffa

After our hour on the island was up the boat left Staffa leaving Fingals Cave and some of the other caves in our boats bubbling white wake.


Leaving Staffa - The Colonnade or "The Great Face"

On our way to Lunga we passed Bac Mor or “The Dutchmans Cap” on the port side and all the other islands that were visible were also pointed out including Iona and Coll.


Bac Beg on the left, Bac Mor or “The Dutchmans Cap on the right

During the trip plenty of seabirds including Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills and Shags, could be seen on the water.


Puffin


Puffins & Razorbill

Strangely while we were on the boat to Staffa the weather was dull and miserable but as soon as we reached the island the sun shone brightly, bringing everything to life.
This was repeated to and on Lunga.

There isn’t a proper landing stage at Lunga and the boat collects a floating pontoon which is then pushed onto the boulder and stone strewn shore. There isn’t any problem getting off the boat but traversing the boulders and stones on shore is a different kettle of fish. One older lady who had made the trip just couldn’t manage to walk over them and had to return to the boat. Once the shore has been negotiated there is a steepish unmade path up to the cliff top where the enchanting Puffins await you.


Landing on Lunga

Everyone has heard the phrase wall to wall carpet, this is wall to wall Puffin heaven!! A Pufffin metropolis, Puffins leaving, Puffins landing, going down holes, coming out of holes, you name it they were probably doing it!


Puffin peering down a hole


Puffin - going up?

It is very easy just to stay here and watch the activity but there are other birds to be seen and the walk up to the west side of the island is well worth doing. It is haowever probably a 20minute walk, it could be more as the path can be a little difficult to negotiate especially if you have a lot of gear with you!


Fulmars on nest


Shag preening

Tempus Fugit, 2hrs can pass very quickly and it did! Time to leave this little Puffin haven, I will return, such is the draw of these lovely little birds. Just I hope it’s not another six years.

The boat left Lunga heading towards Fladda with everyone discussing their experiences with the Puffins, I think everyone was happy.


Atlantic Grey Seals

Other than seeing a few Atlantic Grey Seals and a couple of fishing boats the return journey down Loch Tuath to Ulva Ferry was uneventful.


Mull fishing boat Jessica Louise in Loch Tuath

If you do decide to make this trip, you don’t need a long focal length lens a 100 – 400mm zoom would be good and anything in between: my 500mm lens was almost useless. Enjoy the experience!

Cheers

Andy

I can’t remember properly now but I think this was a fairly early sailing around 09:30 from Ulva Ferry, around 24miles and 45mins from our base in Dervaig.

Most of the roads on Mull are single track, up hill and down dale with plenty of bends. They are also subject to highland cattle and sheep congregating on them which all helps to slow you down, so when travelling on Mull leave yourself plenty of time.

When you reach Ulva Ferry don’t expect a lot! There are a few sheds, a car park, a small jetty and a loo. Don’t linger in the loo too long as the light is on a timer and plunges you into total darkness after what seems about 30 seconds. However wave your arm around a bit and there is light, for 30 seconds. A touch of Scottish thriftiness no doubt.


The view looking north from Ulva Ferry

Although Mull Charters and Turus Mara both sail from here it’s primary service is as it says on the label, to ferry you to the Isle of Ulva. There’s a board on the wall that you change to red and the ferry comes and collects you, turn it back to white before you get on the ferry. The best I can say about the ferry boat is, it looks very basic.

Anyway I digress and the focus of my thoughts should be on our Sea Eagle Adventure but it does give you a bit of an idea of what to expect.

Our boat Lady Jayne turned up on time and twelve of us boarded. Mull charters also operate a trip soley for photographers, maximum four at £150 each.

Unfortunately I wasn’t on that trip and if you are also doing the standard trip try and sit at the back, I didn’t and suffered for it.

Lady Jayne isn’t a large boat and has some interesting holes in the hull that allows water in as well as to drain out. Consequently the floor can and does get wet and so will anything else you may place on the floor including your feet. To be fair the crew do advise you to stow your bags and gear in the wheelhouse, so if you don’t it is your look out. Don’t let this put you off however, as the best is still to come.

Lady Jayne set off promptly and headed southish into the channel between Mull and the southern tip of Ulva. I didn’t know until after the trip but we were heading into Loch na Keal. We passed Eorsa on the starboard side and carried on up the loch for a few minutes.

At this point the crew threw some bread out to attract the gulls, which it duly did, not a vast number probably in the region of ten or so. We drifted around for a while and did a few circles but still no sign of our subject, the imperious White Tailed Eagle.

I don’t know if the Eagle should have turned up at this point or if it was done to build up the excitement/anticipation.

Eventually we moved quite some distance further into the Loch and went through the process of throwing bits of bread over the side again and circling around. At this point we were in the middle of the loch and more or less in line with where a pair of eagles are nesting.

Eventually one of three fish was thrown into the loch that was quickly picked up by one of the voracious gulls resulting in quite a squabble amongst them.


Squabbling Gulls

After a few more minutes another fish was thrown in and a dark spot on the horizon was pointed out to us. What a feeling as the dark spot grew larger and larger, definitely the White Tailed Eagle.


Distant View of White Tailed Eagle

It didn’t take to long to reach the boat, probably less than a minute. It circled over the boat a couple of times and swooped in to pick the fish out of the water. What an awesome sight!! Considering its size with a wing span in the region of eight feet it was extremely manouverable and very speedy.


Circling close to the boat

I’d had the lens trained on the Eagle from first sight so lots of distant shots resulted and just at the moment of impact I found someone was stood in front of me. Lost the view, the bird and the pick up. I didn’t get the Eagle in view again until it was around the front of the boat and rapidly gaining height and distance from the boat. I watched the Eagle disappearing in the distance to the nest.


Overhead - note the pink on the tail, presumably blood from a recent meal

After some time, I’ve no idea how long the last fish was thrown in and sure enough our Eagle was tempted in for the bait. Our Eagle followed the same procedure a couple of circles around the boat a quick turn and it was swooping in for the fish. Unfortunately it was also the same for me, someone in front of me just at the wrong time.

As I watched the bird disappear into the distance of course I had mixed emotions, disappointed that I’d missed the shot I wanted but elated that I’d enjoyed wonderful views of such an imperious bird at very close quarters. An experience that I won’t forget for a very long time, if ever.

As the Eagle disappeared back to the nest the boat turned around to make it’a way back to Ulva.


Making its way back - monochrome conversion

The boat took a slightly different route back, passing Eorsa on the starboard side looking out for Hen Harrier or anything else. Then out past Inch Kenneth named after Saint Kenneth a follower of Saint Columba who is said to have founded a monastery on the Island. Its most famous owners were the eccentric Mitford family. Nazi sympathiser Unity Mitford spent her final years living on the island. Following the death of their mother, Lady Redesdale in 1963, the island was inherited by the surviving Mitford sisters. Diana, Nancy, Deborah and Pamela sold their shares in the island to their sister and fellow beneficiary Jessica. Jessica, a former communist, teasingly suggested that it might become a Soviet submarine base.
The island was sold by Jessica Mitford in the late 1960s and it remains under private ownership.

After passing Inch Kenneth the boat turned to starboard and made our way to a fish farm just off the west coast of Ulva.
It was in tis area where the skipper seen a large fin surface which he said could only have been a basking shark. We spent some time around the area hoping that it would surface again but no such luck.

We then made our way back round the southern tip of Ulva and back to Ulva Ferry.

If you are thinking about taking this highly reccommended boat trip, it lasts 3hrs. and cost £35 per adult.

Having done the trip, try to get at the back of the boat which will probably give you a better chance of seeing everything and don’t bother taking a long focal length lens it isn’t necessary. A lens in the region of 200mm or a 100 - 400mm zoom will do very nicely.

If you do go, I hope you have a great time and get the shots you want. I know I’d do it again.

Cheers

Andy

We’ve just returned from a wonderful week in the wildlife capital of Scotland, the Isle of Mull (Eagle Island)!

Not only was the weather fantastic for Scotland, so was the wildlife. Unfortunately there was a duffer behind the camera and although I got some great shots of the wildlife particularly the White Tailed Eagle, I did miss some important shots.

I’ve spent a lot of time in the so-called “Raptor Valley” in Speyside and seen next to nothing. Along Loch na Keal there was so much action I didn’t know which way to look, White Tailed Eagle being mobbed by Buzzards and Crows in front, Golden Eagle soaring along the mountain ridge behind, Red Throated Diver on the water and all in an incredible landscape.

A wildlife watchers dream really. I say watcher, as a lot of the action was too far away to photograph, not that I didn’t try, so bins or a scope are a requirement to watch the action unfolding before you.

On the downside beware of the Scottish Midges especially in an evening. Venturing forth without some sort of protection is a definite no, no and those pesky midges certainly feasted well on me. For those that don’t know the effective repellent for Scottish midges is Avon Oh So Soft, so if you are going you’ve been warned, go prepared!!

Apart from the Midge bites and I have lots, even in places that you’d hope haven’t been exposed, I also came home with some other war wounds.

I’m pretty stable mentally; well at least I hope so. Unfortunately I’m obviously not so stable on my legs and when I’m on holiday I manage to fall at least once. So I ended up with a couple of cuts, a swollen and bruised knee, a dose of wounded pride and a pair of jeans now only fit for the bin. Luckily nobody was around to see the event, I imagine it does look quite amusing to watch someone trying to avoid their photographic equipment being damaged in preference to themselves: luckily it wasn’t. What us photographers do for their art!!


The shot I took as I fell

Anyway, I took lots of photographs, 1000’s, a lot of which will be destined for the trash.

The highlights of the trip, not my fall, were the Sea Eagle trip with Mull Charters and the trip to the Treshnish Islands with Turus Mara: both are highly recommended. We also had a wildlife tour with Pam & Arthur from Discover Mull, who we went out with on a previous visit to Mull some years ago. On the Discover Mull website it says Pam’s cake are legendry and everyone on the trip did rave about them, so another top trip.

We stayed at Killoran House, which was also excellent. Start your day off with a super breakfast and finish it off with a fine evening meal and retire to a very comfortable room/bed. The rooms were immaculately kept and very clean. I’ve also got to mention the power shower in our bathroom it was excellent and it helped give me an invigorating start to the day. It wasn’t the cheapest place to stay but neither was it the most expensive.

Killoran House www.killoranmull.co.uk
Mull Charters www.mullcharters.com
Discover Mull www.discovermull.co.uk
Turus Mara www.turusmara.com

See other items to follow detailing the various trips.

Cheers

Andy

Saturday

I looked at the weather forecast on Friday night and I didn’t know what to do on Saturday morning anyway I deliberated that long that in the end it wasn’t worth going out with the camera.

So I sat watching the feeders in the garden and in flew a pair of Bullfinches. Unfortunately the door to the garden wasn’t open so from experience I know that as soon as I open it most of the birds fly off and I’m very lucky if they return quickly.

So I got the camera and took some photographs through the window, unfortunately the quality isn’t good but good enough to see what they are.


Male Bullfinch


Female Bullfinch

Not long afterwards three Redpoll flew in, they love to feast on the Niger Seed and the Sunflower Hearts. It is the first time I’ve seen them for a few weeks though.


Redpoll

We also get most of the common garden birds visiting the feeders and I also saw blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tail Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Robin, Dunnock, Magpie, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove and Starling. Later during the day I also one of the Reed Buntings that spent most of the winter in the garden.

Sunday Morning
On Sunday morning I visited Woolston Eyes, it was a bit overcast when I left the house but the light did improve during the morning.

Plenty of gulls from the screen by the Sybil Hogg Hide but then I trundled down to the Rotary Hide. I was pleasantly surprised to find three Black-necked Grebes on the pool in front of the hide.

Unfortunately they didn’t venture much closer than the centre of the pool so I fitted the teleconverter and took a few photos. They aren’t brilliant but the best I’ve managed of the Black-necked Grebes this season.


Black-necked Gebe


Black-necked Gebe

I also saw Little Grebe, Canada Geese with six young and a group of Shelduck chasing each other, as they do. I also could see Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler


Canada Goose Chicks


Shelduck

I then moved to the Centre Hide. I could see three Black-necked Grebes again in the centre of the pool and I did take a load of photos of them but the majority of them were destined for the trash!!


Black-necked Gebe

Looking at the photographs on my computer there is an obvious difference in the quality and I can only put it down to distance from the hide and the degree of cropping required, although the distance didn't appear significantly different.

I spent quite a bit of time photographing a coot and chicks, I’ve got to say how surprised I was when I saw my first Coot chick so one of the photos is shown below.


Coot & Chick

Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull and Lapwing also came close to the hide. There appeared to be plenty of frisky birds about including a couple of Mallards.


Gay Mallards?

Am I imagining it or is the lower looking a bit bemused!

Andy

After the lack of photography opportunities the previous weekend this weekend was full of them although not all to do with birds or nature.

After arriving at our hide on Saturday morning most of the common birds were swooping in to feed in no time, they included Goldfinch, Robin, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blue Tit & Great Tit.


Greenfinch


Goldfinch

Yellowhammer followed soon after along with a pair of Pheasants that spent most of the morning on and off around the feeders.


Yellowhammer


Male Pheasant

Other birds I saw were Dunnock, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Blackbird, Lapwing, Wood Pigeon & Swallow, I also heard a Skylark close by but I didn’t catch sight of it. I also saw Buzzard and Kestrel and the Buzzard came within 20 – 30 yard of the hide and probably no higher than about 20ft; unfortunately it was off to the side so I couldn’t get the lens pointing it at it to take a photograph.

On Sunday morning something totally different and a chance to try some sport photography. It is an absolute age since I did any sports photography, probably in the region of thirty years. My wifes'' nephew was playing in the Under 14’s NW Counties cup for Rylands Sharks against Thatto Heath and his mum asked if I could go and take some photos.


Bursting through


A text book tackle

It did take a while to get back into it but I was quite pleased with some of the photos.

While I was there I also bumped into Les and Marion Slater who I haven’t seen for 30 years, isn’t it funny how you can recognise someone after all that time! Our daughters were members of Gymnastics clubs in Warrington and Liverpool when we met originally. It is a small world.


Les, Marion & Grandson

In the afternoon it was my mother in laws 90th birthday party and I was asked to record the event with plenty of photographs, which I duly did. I suppose they mainly fall into the snapshot category but I was quite pleased with the photos and I’m hoping the family will also be. I’ve got to say I didn’t pay much attention to what was lurking in the background so consequently ended up with washing lines and trees growing out of peoples’ heads. I’ve got to say I committed all the sins of bad photography, I think I’ll blame the glasses of wine!!


A trio of young ladies


"Big Nan" & one of her many grandchildren

Sightings from Woolston Eyes over the weekend included:

2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Oystercatchers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Garden Warblers and 2 Kingfishers.

Andy