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Pete's Birding Blog: November 2014
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Thursday, 20 November 2014. Autumnal Highlands With The New Canon 7D Mk2. Next time we'll fly up" was what (Wildlife) Kate and I said to Andy and Lyndsey Howard as we bid farewell to them both, and considered the eight hour drive back to the Midlands after a few days spent in and around Inverness. But what a wonderful break we had enjoyed, packed with wildlife, fun and photography of course, all set against the Scottish Highlands. Perhaps he's the Pied Piper Of Cresties? Keeping low to the ground, we wat...
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Pete's Birding Blog: March 2015
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Monday, 30 March 2015. Following my recent decision to walk away from my career in IT, at least for a while, and concentrate on my photography, I find myself in a position to be able to do what I want and when. As such, Mull was top of the list (as usual! And after a bit of planning, I had arranged to stay there for a week mid-March, with the intention of heading further north to the Highlands for a second week. The first morning on Mull was glorious. Calm and frosty, and I had decided to head south ...
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Pete's Birding Blog: July 2014
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Tuesday, 15 July 2014. Frustration, Jealousy And A Change Of Luck. I suppose a birding blog should focus on birds, not insects like the last post, but I have found my small garden pond to be such a valued addition to the plot, in terms of new and varied wildlife, that the tale of the emerging dragonflies needed airing. No It was a juvenile robin, which I could have seen in the garden. So a near 300 mile trip which again, resulted in next to nothing. More nose-rubbing later when Kate gleefully sho...Needl...
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Pete's Birding Blog: Shetland: St Ninian's And Sumburgh Head
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Monday, 13 July 2015. Shetland: St Ninian's And Sumburgh Head. Thursday was forecast to be sunny and almost warm, which given the temperatures during the trip so far would be a pleasant change. While it hadn't been cold as such, for me, after my week in Menorca days before flying up to Shetland, it was quite a change to the system! The fulmars divided their time between being sat on the nest, flying up and down the headland slopes, or flying out on to the bay, to bob about on the water. It was fun tr...
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Pete's Birding Blog: September 2014
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Thursday, 18 September 2014. An early night, short pitstop to Tescos and I found myself stifling giggles at the ferry terminal ticket office when a chap next to me said he fancied going to Oban for the day, only to be quizzically informed that he was actually in Oban. He meant Craignure! The crossing was calm but the breeze was a bit chilly to be stood outside, so I watched the seas from the viewing lounge area, spotting a small flock of shearwaters at one point, and quite a few guillemots too. Then with...
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Pete's Birding Blog: July 2015
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Sunday, 19 July 2015. Shetland: The Last Days. After the sun-filled Thursday, Friday was back to what Paula had assumed the weather might be for the week, with rain falling and rather gloomy as a result. We eventually headed out to look around the isle, in case anything interesting showed itself, but I think the wildlife had also decided to shelter from the rain and we ended up in a pub of all places, with Kate requesting a cup of tea! Whilst this action was going on, and I was trying to photo it from th...
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Pete's Birding Blog: June 2015
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Monday, 29 June 2015. Shetland: The Start Of A Wonderful Break. As before, she would be our host for the break, though this time, instead of sleeping in a cosy but slightly draughty caravan, I would be sharing the luxury of Cheyne House, initially with Kate who had travelled up with me on the Friday morning, and from the Saturday, with Andy and Lyndsey Howard. A brief visit to Paula's place to see her pig families, before we set off for what was supposed to be a short stroll along the headland. The w...
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Pete's Birding Blog: April 2014
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Tuesday, 8 April 2014. They're awesome birds; powerful, purposeful and the combination of those red or orange eyes and the white eyebrow-stripes gives them a killer look. No prizes for guessing where I was the next day. Only this time, instead of seeing the adult birds, I generally saw a juvenile, or first winter (male I believe) which was being very vocal in the area I was stood. Flying down between the trees in front of me, I only just got it in the frame - they really shift! On one visit, I spotted a ...
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Pete's Birding Blog: December 2014
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Wednesday, 31 December 2014. Shorties And A Water Rail Surprise To End The Year. Another year is almost over and what a fabulous one it has been for wildlife, strengthening friendships and attempting to get some photos along the way. Not to mention adding a few miles to the clock of the car; it's taken me to Scotland and back three times! I have been to the area before and was fortunate with some shots of a barn owl, and indeed there are still some around. And, with the general hilliness of the area,...
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Pete's Birding Blog: June 2014
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Tuesday, 10 June 2014. Garden Pond - Dragonfly Drama. It's funny how involved with events, even tiny ones in nature that we can become. I see this quite frequently with Kate (WildlifeKate to her crowds of fans) when she experiences the highs and lows of parts of the lives of animals she encourages on to her land. Perhaps because I'm darting around between different subjects, I rarely see the whole story of something, so don't become attached; maybe I'm missing out? Since then I have seen the nymphs frequ...
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