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Showing posts with label Isle of Mull. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Isle of Mull. Show all posts
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Lunga's Puffins
I've been away on the Isle of Mull for a week with the UOC Wildlife Photographer's Society, the weather was kind and we had a brilliant trip. I'm sure Phil has a full account soon to be published, but for now I'll leave you with a few images from our visit to Lunga.
You can now find me on Facebook HERE
You can now find me on Facebook HERE
Friday, 29 June 2012
Isle of Mull
I'm currently packing for a week on Mull, my last trip with the UOC Wildlife Photographer's society. We will be wild camping pretty much, so here's an image from last year for now.
Thursday, 1 March 2012
CW Tents
A selection of my work is currently on display at CW Tents, a local outdoor retailer. The images of both wildlife and landscape have been capture over the last year, at home and on my travels. They are available to purchase as A4 and A3 mounted prints.
CW Tents is a family owned independent outdoor shop, located just off the A19 in Backworth. Stocking a wide variety of tents, camping equipment, clothing and accessories. All staff are outdoor enthusiasts and youth leaders so have a wealth of knowledge. In Spring and Summer months there is a large outdoor display where the staff are on hand to give advice and pitching demonstrations.
CW Tents stock leading brands including Vango, Outwell, Paramo, Scarpa, Zamberian, Montane, plus many more. There is even an area dedicated to photography and wildlife clothing.
CW Tents, 9a Backworth Business Park, Station Road, Backworth, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE27 0BN, Tel: 0191 268 0110
Website: www.cwtents.co.uk Email: sales@cwtents.co.uk
Directions
Take the Whitley Bay/Earsdon Exit off the A19
At the roundabout take the Whitley Bay/Earsdon Exit
Go Straight over the next 2 roundabouts
At the 3rd roundabout take the 1st Exit. First Right then immediate left.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Favourites of the year...
I thought I'd round up this year with some of my favourite photos.
Back in April myself, Ciara Laverty , Rachael Laisney and Steven Williams embarked on a trip to Ardnamurchan, Britain's most Westerly point. Our two week expedition can be re-visited here. Here's a couple of my favourites.
This Pied Wagtail kept me company one afternoon whilst I waited in the hide, for the tide to retreat.
In May I went on a family holiday to Loch Maree, we stayed in a cottage near Poolewe, on the River Ewe, the Lochs seaward outlet. This was the first time we've stayed here, with only one previous visit to Gairloch when I was a lot younger. It didn't disappoint.
This was our view from the cottage.
Renowned for its Black Throated Divers, I was keen to see them, but never expected one to swim past the cottage.
The nearby Ash, Birch, and Oak woodland held Wood Warbler, Redpoll and this Spotted Flycatcher, who visit the garden almost everyday.
June saw me following the local Sparrowhawks. Although I follow this family every year, this was the first time I photographically followed them raising their young.
Unfortunately this was the last image I took before heading off to the Isle of Mull. I'm hoping to follow the chicks to fledging this coming year.
But before I did head off, I bumped into this Dipper, the first confirmation of breeding in the Dene for a good few years now.
And this character in the large meadow at Holywell Pond, in full bloom thanks to the sheep.
On to Mull, with this pair of images, taken on my first day !
Two weeks were spent on the Isle, volunteering with Sea Life Surveys and Ewan. A brilliant two weeks on an amazing Isle.
Oh and I made a mate at the chip van.
The couple of weeks following found me at the RSPB's Loch of Strathbeg as a residential volunteer.
August I was back on patch. The subsidence and rainfall allowed for a perfect wader scrape to form, so I spent my time lying down.
Come October I found myself back at the Loch of Strathbeg, volunteering again but this time to produce a promotional film for the RSPB's Goosewatch events. More to come about this in the near future.
The year rounded off with me when I visited the Desert Wheatear at Newbiggin.
Wish you all a Happy New Year :)
Back in April myself, Ciara Laverty , Rachael Laisney and Steven Williams embarked on a trip to Ardnamurchan, Britain's most Westerly point. Our two week expedition can be re-visited here. Here's a couple of my favourites.
This Pied Wagtail kept me company one afternoon whilst I waited in the hide, for the tide to retreat.
In May I went on a family holiday to Loch Maree, we stayed in a cottage near Poolewe, on the River Ewe, the Lochs seaward outlet. This was the first time we've stayed here, with only one previous visit to Gairloch when I was a lot younger. It didn't disappoint.
This was our view from the cottage.
Renowned for its Black Throated Divers, I was keen to see them, but never expected one to swim past the cottage.
The nearby Ash, Birch, and Oak woodland held Wood Warbler, Redpoll and this Spotted Flycatcher, who visit the garden almost everyday.
June saw me following the local Sparrowhawks. Although I follow this family every year, this was the first time I photographically followed them raising their young.
Unfortunately this was the last image I took before heading off to the Isle of Mull. I'm hoping to follow the chicks to fledging this coming year.
But before I did head off, I bumped into this Dipper, the first confirmation of breeding in the Dene for a good few years now.
And this character in the large meadow at Holywell Pond, in full bloom thanks to the sheep.
On to Mull, with this pair of images, taken on my first day !
Two weeks were spent on the Isle, volunteering with Sea Life Surveys and Ewan. A brilliant two weeks on an amazing Isle.
Oh and I made a mate at the chip van.
The couple of weeks following found me at the RSPB's Loch of Strathbeg as a residential volunteer.
August I was back on patch. The subsidence and rainfall allowed for a perfect wader scrape to form, so I spent my time lying down.
Come October I found myself back at the Loch of Strathbeg, volunteering again but this time to produce a promotional film for the RSPB's Goosewatch events. More to come about this in the near future.
The year rounded off with me when I visited the Desert Wheatear at Newbiggin.
Wish you all a Happy New Year :)
Friday, 15 July 2011
Mull showing off its star attractions...
This morning we headed down to Ulva Ferry, booked on Martin's Eagle trip, something I was dying to do. Heading out at 10:00am we picked up a pair of Golden Eagle on the Southern side of Loch Na Keal, performing for us.
Soon after the male White-Tailed Eagle approached the boat, attracted by the Gulls that had gathered, alls I can say is I wish I had another day.
Soon after the male White-Tailed Eagle approached the boat, attracted by the Gulls that had gathered, alls I can say is I wish I had another day.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Finishing as it began
Today was my last day on the boat, from my two weeks volunteering with Sea Life Surveys. I've had a brilliant time and would like to say a big thank you to Ewan, Jimbo, Popz and the SLS staff for giving me the opportunity, but for also making me one of the team.
It was a 7 hour trip today, headed out in fair weather with a bit of a breeze. Harbour Porpoise, Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Common Gull, Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin, Shag and Great Black Backed Gull were seen as we left the sound and headed for the 'middle ground'. Towards the Cairns I picked up a distant immature Minke, proving to be extremely difficult to see. After a few distant views the whale deep dived, and reappeared right on the stern of the boat! Associating with the boat this young whale provide absolutely stunning views four or five times. The best I've seen in my two weeks here.
Approaching the Cairns I picked up a single Storm Petrel feeding, then a Basking Shark was spotted, then another, then another, then another, on first arrival we counted 13 in the vicinity of the boat although travelling through and around the Cairns there was at least 25 in the area. Something unbelievable to see, one of the best wildlife spectacles I've seen to date.
A quick lunch and we were off South as Killer Whales had been reported off Staffa, that would of been the cherry on top of the cake, but unfortunately visibility turned poor and we weren't successful in picking them up, although we did have another extremely good view of an adult Minke Whale, and a great show from a Great Skua and some Kittiwakes.
A brilliant trip to end my time with SLF. I'll definitely be back.
After clearing up, myself and Ewan headed for the chippy, fed ourselves and the Herring Gulls then headed off. For some reason Ewan thought that I hadn't seen enough in my two week stay, so we were soon heading to South Mull in search of Short-Eared Owl and Hen Harrier, I wasn't complaining. We found both, 5 Short-Eared Owls, 2 of which were interacting and a pair of Hen Harrier, just missing a distant food pass by seconds.
It was a 7 hour trip today, headed out in fair weather with a bit of a breeze. Harbour Porpoise, Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Common Gull, Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin, Shag and Great Black Backed Gull were seen as we left the sound and headed for the 'middle ground'. Towards the Cairns I picked up a distant immature Minke, proving to be extremely difficult to see. After a few distant views the whale deep dived, and reappeared right on the stern of the boat! Associating with the boat this young whale provide absolutely stunning views four or five times. The best I've seen in my two weeks here.
Approaching the Cairns I picked up a single Storm Petrel feeding, then a Basking Shark was spotted, then another, then another, then another, on first arrival we counted 13 in the vicinity of the boat although travelling through and around the Cairns there was at least 25 in the area. Something unbelievable to see, one of the best wildlife spectacles I've seen to date.
A quick lunch and we were off South as Killer Whales had been reported off Staffa, that would of been the cherry on top of the cake, but unfortunately visibility turned poor and we weren't successful in picking them up, although we did have another extremely good view of an adult Minke Whale, and a great show from a Great Skua and some Kittiwakes.
A brilliant trip to end my time with SLF. I'll definitely be back.
After clearing up, myself and Ewan headed for the chippy, fed ourselves and the Herring Gulls then headed off. For some reason Ewan thought that I hadn't seen enough in my two week stay, so we were soon heading to South Mull in search of Short-Eared Owl and Hen Harrier, I wasn't complaining. We found both, 5 Short-Eared Owls, 2 of which were interacting and a pair of Hen Harrier, just missing a distant food pass by seconds.
Tomorrow I head back to the mainland, spending a day at Loch Garten, before driving over to the Loch of Strathbeg to begin my two week RSPB residential, should be another brilliant two weeks. But before I head off myself and Ewan are booked on the Loch Na Keal White-Tailed Eagle trip, hopefully it will produce some good images, it will be a brilliant experience either way.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Hello Beautiful
Good trip again today, Minke Whale, Basking Shark (another breaching, although I only got the splash), Harbour Porpoise (4+ at one point feeding with some diving Gannets), and Great Skua being the highlights, still no Dolphins.
Th Basking shark today was a bigger animal, pushing 6 metres, it was also very showy, feeding on the large amounts of plankton off the Cairns of Coll.
Double click image to get a better view.
Th Basking shark today was a bigger animal, pushing 6 metres, it was also very showy, feeding on the large amounts of plankton off the Cairns of Coll.
Double click image to get a better view.
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