Out and About

One Very Wet Dunnock

2013-08-03T11:43:00.001-07:00

Had to laugh at the state of this Dunnock shaking itself after having a bath !

Golden Eagle

2013-07-27T03:25:00.000-07:00

I was very fortunate to be one of the photographers given a chance to photograph this Golden Eagle Chick under the terms of a Schedule 1 Licence.

As you can see he is a big lad and at the time of writing this entry he will have fledged.

The estate where he was photographed is in the process of carrying out a feasibility study of wildlife tourism and they are marketing the Eagle Photography by competent/responsible wildlife photographers accordingly.

The welfare of the Eagles is a priority and there are strict rules to be followed.

An estate wildlife ranger is present at all times to ensure the welfare of the Eagles and that the terms of the licence are complied with.

It was the most magical 4 hours of my life and an experience I will never forget.

Red Squirrel Heaven

2012-10-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

Hello World.

Back from a week away in Aviemore, just love the place and will never tire of staying at our home away from home http://www.cairngormgetaway.co.uk/.
We almost didn't manage to get out of the borders due to flooding, even with the 4 x 4 it made for a white knuckle, bottom clenching journey, with some roads being closed and diversions in place.
Even though it rained for the whole journey up to Boat of Garten, the brooding scenery never fails to capture the imagination, the Drumochter Pass is a good place to see Red Deer from the road.

On arrival at The Boat of Garten Caravan Site we quickly settled in, being familiar with the place, both the heating and the kettle were on in record breaking time.
It wasn't long before we had our first visitor

Right Click on image to view Full Screen

This Robin was a daily visitor after discovering a liking for clootie dumpling.

As it began to get dark we were also visited by a group of rowdy Long Tailed Tits, very tricky to photograph as they tend not to stay still and also arrive as the light is failing.

The following day we decided to have a wander along the Red Squirrel Trail.

We Crossed over the road from the caravan site and walked down to the car parking area where we turned right along the path that follows the road, and quickly came to a viewing area of stone chips, a short distance into the wood revealed some empty squirrel feeders.

Seeing no sign of the squirrels we placed a small amount of peanuts into the feeders making sure to bang the lid of the box feeder as this announced that dinner was served.

I had no sooner turned my back to walk away when a squirrel arrived.

From a photography point of view this is not an image I would normally use due to the feeder and white washing line, but it demonstrates what you can see on the doorstep.

We were frequent visitors to the Osprey Centre at Loch Garten, even though the visitor centre was closed you can still walk up and see the red squirrels there and also the wide variety of birds that have been used to being fed and are not so shy of human contact.

Bringing along some bird seed and some peanuts, I used some fallen wood to make a natural perch in which I hid the seed and nuts, this allowed me more natural looking images.

I also made use of some Lichen covered twigs which other photographers had left set up nearby.

Whilst sitting waiting for whatever wildlife came along I was surrounded by Coal Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits and Chaffinches, who not content with waiting for me to put out the seed, decided to help themselves from the bag. ( I intented to add photos of this but Blogger seems to have a limit ! Hmm time to move blog me thinks )

We were joined every now and then by other people who laughed to see the birds helping themselves to my bag of seed. At one point we were joined by and elderly lady complete with headscarf and macintosh, sturdy brogues and her son, there followed an interesting conversation.

Lady " where's the Ospreys "

Me " Sunning themselves in North Africa somewhere "

Lady " You mean to tell me I have walked all the way up here for nuthin "

Me " Well there are birds to look at and Red Squirrels"

Lady " Och I can get them at hame " " Where's the Tea Room "

Me " There isn't one "

Lady " Why not ? all the other RSPB Reserves have one and toilets ! "

Me " It's not a reserve ! its an Osprey Centre, it's seasonal and it's shut.

Lady " Well why were we not told that "

Me " It tells you on the gate as you enter Centre Closed ! "

Lady " Hmmph "

The off she marched in high dugeon back from whence she came.

Nae pleasing some folk

The week passed very quickly as time does when you are having fun, even though it was mostly wet, it did not stop us from going out, especially to The Boat Hotel for some top class meals.

Until we are back again

Cheerio the Noo.

P.S

Images on this Blog are my property, they are not to be reproduced without prior consent, to use without said consent is Theft.

Weasel

2012-09-12T11:48:00.001-07:00

Lucky enough to spot this weasel in the act of moving its kits to a new location:

Good one for a CAPTION COMP, sorry no prizes, just make us all smile :-)

2012-02-15T10:41:00.001-08:00

Good one for a CAPTION COMP, sorry no prizes, just make us all smile :-): Good one for a CAPTION COMP, sorry no prizes, just make us all smile :-)

Fox

2012-01-14T06:33:00.000-08:00

Caught this fox just as the sun was going down, at the extreme range of my lens too lol

Great Start to 2012

2012-01-08T13:08:00.000-08:00

Greetings Folks & Happy New Year to you all.

I have not been on for a few months, had a bit of a disaster with my computer and my Website, resulting in my having lost all the images stored there.
I am starting again from scratch and have re built my site, which is not a bad thing, I feel that my photography has progressed since I first built it and each day I look forward to learning and improving my technique.

The Three Bears decided to take a trip to the coast near Dunbar, East Lothian to photograph the Short Eared Owls that had been seen hunting in the area.
There were a few other photographers there, some of whom were known to Ronnie and who were also members of my Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/HFTAWP/
It was great to meet them face to face and exchange tips on photography and the behaviour of Short Eared Owls, but most importantly we had a right good laugh, which is always a must on our days out.

The day was bitterly cold and very breezy but we were well wrapped up.
We set up our gear and waited patiently for the SEO's to put in an appearance, which after a while they did, in the next field up!! some of the waiting photographers decided to change position and move up to where the owls were quartering the field, one chap actually breaking into a full on run!
We decided to stay put as Ronnie assured us that the Owls would come to the field where we were eventually.
So we waited, and it got colder and the clouds came out with no sign of the Owls moving our way!
We looked at each other and said " Shall we move up " so we shouldered our big heavy lenses and tripods and tried to walk with as much dignity as possible, in a calm orderly fashion...... well as orderly as one can be when your freezing and dressed like the michelin man/woman.
You know what's coming next don't you dear readers !
Yep when we arrived at the field the Owl promptly flew to the area we had just vacated!!
All dignity went out the window at that point as we legged it back to our original positions, arriving slightly dishevelled ( have you ever tried running wearing a balaclava ? it has a tendency to slide round your face and block your vision!) and out of breath.
The light had gone and we were all struggling to get focused on the Owls, but what a magnificent sight non the less. I forgot all about the cold and managed to fill my card with images, which looked sharp in camera, but on getting them onto the computer proved to be of poor quality, Hey Ho.
Here are a couple of images that were the best of a bad lot.
Well ok a couple or Six.

And so ended the day.
What a privilege it was to share an afternoon with these wonderful birds who were not in any way distracted by our presence into their world.

Best Regards to you all.
Rhona

Bass Rock & Isle of May Trip 20th August 2011

2011-08-31T11:12:00.000-07:00

The Three Bears and my mate from Spain decided on a Spur of the moment trip out to the Isle of May. We left from the Sea Bird Centre at North Berwick, the sun was out the sky was blue
( sure there is a song in there somewhere!)
We managed to beat the rush of the May Princess which had 89 folk on board giving us 20 minutes to ourselves on the Island.
There were no puffins left, but plenty of Gulls, Rabbits and Butterflies.
On the way back we went via the Bass Rock, wow what an amazing sight and sound, the smell was not too bad but that was due to the wind direction!
I have never seen so many Gannets approx 150,000

Here is a wee selection of images from the trip.

I should have posted this sooner but alas I have been in bed with a very bad cold.
My friend Mirry has been looking after me, however it is the last time I ask her to pick me up some cough mixture!
There was I looking forward to a nice soothing cherry flavoured Benylin or something along those lines! but you can see where I am going with this can't you .............. yep you're there !
Allens Pine & Honey Balsam! right up there on the top 10 list of Medicated Nasties lol
I was instructed to" Take It or Else" as it has been on the market for a long time " ( probably used by early man to start fires )
But the assistance was much appreciated.

Next trip should be Hols to the Lighthouse on the Mull of Kintyre

I will leave you with this rather haughty looking Red Admiral

Always Have A Plan B

2011-06-12T05:13:00.000-07:00

Sat 12th June 2011.

5 am and so starts a new day albeit rather sleepily.

The three bears have booked a trip to the Farne Islands, once more the lure of Puffins drags us from our warm beds, and also meeting up with another member of the RSPB Forum.
Off down to Berwickshire to pick up Ronnie and off we go Southwards into the rain.
Stopped off at MacDonald's in Berwick for an early morning Sausage and Egg Mac Muffin and Coffee........ ah heaven is bun shaped! .
A first ever visit by Ronnie to MacDonald's!!!!! who asked " How do you get the sugar into your coffee?"........ I replied "Eh, TAKE THE LID OFF" bless him.

Arrived at Seahouses to get our tickets for the trip along with 120 other souls, we all huddled together like Emperor Penguins against the cold wind and rain blowing across the quayside, only to be told that we would not be able to land on the Islands yet and to come back at lunchtime.
We decided to cancel our trip and we headed off to Hauxley Nature Reserve.
The rain continued, and photography was really out of the question, but we had a good natter and munched quite contentedly on our packed lunches.
There were Canada Geese and their young, lapwings,Herons, greylags, sandpipers, and all the usual suspects.
Then it was off to Cresswell Pond, Druridge Bay, Northumberland, as there were Avocets nesting there ! wow that is the furthest north Avocets had been known to nest.
Standing room only at the back on arrival at the hide, however the rain sheeting through the open hide windows, soon cleared out the birders and we had the hide to ourselves for a short while. This was the first time I had ever seen an Avocet in the wild, I could see four of them however I believe there may have been six. Too far away to photograph properly due to the combination of poor light, torrential rain and not having my 800mm lens with me, no sign of any chicks which appeared to have been predated!!!.
The hide then started to fill up again with the next minibus of birders, so it was off to the Anglers Arms, Weldon Bridge, right by the banks of the river cocquet, what a lovely place.
We then drove to Rothebury and then back home via Alnwick Moor.

All in all it was a grand day out, even though we did not get to The Farne Islands, we met new friends and discovered new places.

Deep Sea Fishing

2011-06-06T07:20:00.000-07:00

I have been neglecting my Blog of late, tut tut, sometimes I just can't find the words I want to say, I am more of a post the Photographs sort of person.
I have recently been out and about in a wee boat bobbing about in the big big sea, photographing the Sea Bird Colonies at St.Abbs Berwickshire, got in amongst the small coves which afforded a view of the seabirds not seen by many, utterly brilliant. Guillemots and Razorbills by the hundreds, also Cormorants and their chicks who will soon be fledging very early this year, hope they survive.!
Managed to catch some Cod and Mackerel too, although we were being spied upon by a Gannet, who was almost cross eyed trying to see what we had for him to steal lol

Check out my website for more Images

http://www.rhona-Anderson-Photography.com/page26.html

My New Best Friend

2010-12-08T04:25:00.000-08:00

Whilst staying in Edinburgh I decided to visit Inverleith Park, Edinburgh with my camera, there were a large number of Swans, ducks, gulls, also a large flock of Waxwings and Field fares.

Whilst kneeling on the ground to get that perfect composition ! also known as the trying to look like you know what you are doing pose !

I became aware that the bold boy Bertie was marching towards me with a determined waddle, he then promptly sat down beside me, he looked me in the eye,( yes he was at eye level! ) with an expression of "Well ! Where's the grub!

BERTIE

Oops! I had not brought any food, however Bertie decided he needed to rifle my pockets and frisk any other places he could reach! and trust me he seemed to manage to reach a lot of places! he could get a job with Customs with the thoroughness of that search.

Satisfied that I had no food stashed, Bertie then decided to play with the toggle on the collar of my coat, pulling at the elastic chord until it stretched, then releasing it so it smacked off the side of my head, he did this a couple of times, stupidly I let him :)

Next time I know to bring some food!

Boat of Garten Hols August

2010-10-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

Well off we popped to The Boat of Garten for our Holidays.
Settled in nicely at the Caravan Park there, lovely spot, very quiet, as we arrived in the late afternoon, we decided to go up to Tulloch Moor to see if we could spot any red or roe deer.
The heather was a stunning purple colour, and we made our way through it up to the tree line, following deer tracks, we managed to walk onto a young roe deer hind, I don't know who got the biggest shock! the hind or us, needless to say, I didn't get the shot I was after ! a tree got in my way!, however it was a lovely close encounter.
Twas a good job I brought my Midge head gear with me, yes I looked a bonnie sight!, however those midges are FIERCE, they got into places that no self respecting Midge had a right or reason to be!
Time to beat a hasty retreat back home, via a bog! ( no not a toilet ) a huge expanse of bog!
The old run fast and keep light on your feet worked wonders.

The next day, we visited Avoch, on the Moray Firth, the locals told me it was pronounced "OCH" had a fantastic time out on a boat ( Avoch Boat Trips) photographing the Bottle Nosed Dolphins, before heading up to Channonry Point, and photographing from the headland there!. Busy place Channonry Point! even though I had a lens the size of the Hubble space telescope mounted on a tripod, folk still came and stood in front of me!, It reaffirms why I prefer wildlife to humans!

Next trip was to Loch Ness, we went out on Fast Rib, what a blast, managed to see an Osprey, and a Red Deer Stag up on the South side of the Loch, the rib driver was a real character named Swampy! had us whirling about, great fun.

We also visited Tollie Red Kites, this is a newly constructed Hide according to the RSPB.
Its not a hide! its a muckle big stone built building with a floor to ceiling Glass Window!!
needless to say we saw nothing, and I seriously doubt the " Hide" will work.

Next was Easter Ross, we drove along the coast there to Alness, stopped off at a place called The Store House at Foulis Ferry, on the shore of the Cromarty Firth, for a lovely meal, we also managed to photograph some Grey Seals further along the cost there.

Back to Boat of Garten and a visit to the RSPB Osprey Centre, unfortunately the ospreys had fledged a week prior to our arrival and had left the area. We had a good long blether with the RSPB staff there, and managed to photograph the Red Squirrels too.

Stopped off in Granton on Spey and spotted an MX5 Rally! I was driving my Japanese imported Unos Roadster and was invited to join them for part of their journey, it was great.

We also hired mountain bikes and had a short cycle round the area.

After all that I was knackered, well and truly, but hey, that's what painkillers are for :)
It took a good few days for the pain to subside, but it was worth it, I am determined not to let ill health control my life, I am glad to say sometimes it beats me, but mostly I survive, with the help of my good friends and erstwhile traveling companions, Ronnie & Mirry ( loves ya both ) x

Here endeth this blog

Planned Trips

2010-08-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

Hello World
I hope soon to be re visiting Loch Garten, a photograph taken on an earlier visit.
The Ospreys will have no doubt left the area, however, I hope to photograph the Roe Deer which abound nearby!
Wish me Luck