The Outer Hebrides - Part One

I have just returned from a fantastic trip to North Uist in the outer Hebrides. After an epic drive taking us up from Dumfries and Galloway through some of the most beautiful scenery you can imagine we arrived on the Isle of Skye to catch a ferry across to Lochmaddy, Uist. After a very long journey our beautiful grass roofed holiday accommodation in North Uist was a very welcome sight.

Our accommodation

SHORT EARED OWLS

My plan for the week had been mostly to focus on finding Short Eared Owls to photograph. I had heard of a couple of locations in the area which would be worth a look so I planned an early rise the next morning and headed out to see what I could find. I was in luck, my first morning out gave me my first sighting. I spent a couple of hours watching this beautiful owl hunting. The light was difficult to begin with and a couple of heavy rain showers were thrown in too. I don’t think bad weather is always a bad thing, it can add some fantastic atmosphere and a sense of the true conditions that the wildlife has to survive in.

 

For the rest of the week I saw short eared owls every day. Often in poor light and often at too much of a distance to actually get good photos. It didn’t matter though, because I just loved watching them and enjoyed the moment without even lifting the camera. Whilst driving around looking for owls I managed to see so many deer, white tailed eagles, kestrels, buzzards, curlews, lapwings, amongst so much other wildlife. I saw many male and female hen harriers at a distance and I was desperate to get good shots of them but it wasn’t to be, well not this time anyway. Uist really is an amazing place and we have already booked to go back. These pictures are from the rest of the week at various locations throughout North Uist. Whilst we did have some short visits next time I hope to spend a little more time exploring Isle of Benbecula and Southern Uist.

A morning spent with Seals in Norfolk

I have visited Horsey a couple of times over the past few years and I find it to be one of my favourite seal viewing sites so far. Whenever I have visited in the past it has usually been during the middle of the day when the light is at its harshest so I promised myself this year I would go for a sunrise. I checked the times and worked out that I would have to leave the house at around 3.30am (the joys of wildlife photography) to get to Horsey at 6am, this would give me half an hour to get to where I need to be to before the sunrise at 7am. After checking the weather forecast it looked like Sunday morning was my best day. After an early start we arrived exactly on time. I set off from the carpark heading to the area I had previously photographed them. I had hoped that the seasonal restrictions would not be fully in place yet hoping that I could photograph the seals on the beach like previously. Walking past the first viewing area I headed up the track behind the dunes, roughly a 25 minute walk. When we arrived I realised the beach was closed off and I had just wasted 25 minutes and just as the light was beginning to look great. Although a little disappointed I totally understand that the Seals welfare is more important than my photographs, so I decided to head back down the track to the first viewing areas, this turned out to be a big mistake. The sun was now above the horizon and other than the odd head bobbing up and down in the water there were not a single seal to be seen on the beach. A quick glance  through my binoculars I could see the seals were all up the end I had just come from, where there was no viewing areas. 

Knowing now that the best light was now going to be gone, but I decided to set off anyway and see what I could find, I had driven all the way from Bedford after all.  Frustratingly, just past where the beach was closed earlier on there was a set of steps I hadn't quite reached before. I must heave been stood just a couple of hundred metres from them earlier when the light was perfect and hadn't realised. I walked up to the viewing area and there was a group of seals on the beach in front of me. You have no idea how hard I could have kicked myself for turning back earlier! Nevermind, finally I could get the camera out and enjoy taking some photos.

 

Although I was using a long lens, photographing the seals from the banks above really limits the composition options. Shooting down onto a subject is never ideal. Next time I go I will probably go out of pupping season so I can have more freedom to be on the beach and get on the same level as the seals whilst obviously still keeping a safe distance. Hopefully next time  I shall also be a little wiser and I will actually get those lovely sunrise shots I had hoped for today.

It must be said that no matter what, it is always an absolute pleasure to be in the company of the Seals at Horsey.

 

 

 

Wester Ross, Scottish Highlands

A few days ago I returned from an amazing two week trip to the Wester Ross area of the Scottish Highlands. As well as exploring the Wester Ross area we also had an over night stay in Killin and spent a day on The Isle of Skye. I shall let the images do the talking. Grab yourself a cuppa, there are quite a few.

 

 

Scotland we will be back.......in March!