Bird migration

                                                           

During August and September I have been out just before the sun sets in order to capture migrating birds. They are now moving to warmer latitudes - cranes, ducks, starlings, and loads of different geese.
It's quite remarkable to see and hear several thousand cranes and geese lifting from the fields where they've been feasting during the day to fly off to a sheltered place to rest for the night. It's just as impressing in the mornings as they fly back to the fields for search of the food.

Sometimes there is a bonus - all these amazing sunset, and if you are a bit more lucky, there will be a little rainbow framing it all in.

                                                         

Wonderful Isle of Skye

During the Eastern weekend we were off to Isle of Skye, which is known for being windy and rainy.
Gladly, not photo wise, the weather was amazing. Two out of three days were pure blue sky's with occasional fluffy cloud. I know I shouldn't complain, but blue sky on pictures is rather 'boring'.
Arriving on Friday evening we were off to an fishing village southwest called Elgol to take sunset pictures. Why there? Well, it has stunning views towards Cuillen mountain range that is quite impressive with its gray / black stone. Highest peak is at 992meter and it is considered as difficult to climb as the Alps and the Rockies peaks due to its sharp and steep edges.
The day afterwards we went even closer to Cuillins by visiting the Fairy pools that attract visitors from all over the world to see, hike along and swim in the crystal clear turquoise waters. To be honest, I'm rather disappointed. There was not much water, and maybe for those who have not seen anything similar before its great but there are fancier places.
That night we camped at the foot of the Cuillins with the sea just few meters away. What an amazing place, I'm not surprising that it is considered the prettiest campsite in the UK. Off the grid with just sound of the rolling waves.

More pictures to come in the next blog

                                                                             

Elgol

 

 

Elgol and cuillin mountains

 

Elgol

 

Cool cliff at the sea

 

Elgol and cuillin

 

Fairy pool

 

Fairy pool

 

Fairy pool and cuillin mountain

 

Fairy pool

 

Glenbrittle camping

 

The Cuillins

An evening at Stanage edge

For couple of days ago, I was in search of heather again. But this time I biked up to Stanage Edge 8km one way, uphill :) and then I walked along the ridge of Stanage Edge to find places where there could be some good photo opportunities.
But unfortunately it was not as good as I had imagined, but on the way back to the bike, I tried to take pictures of the sunset, it was a fantastic light that was hard to capture with the camera, even though I had an ND 0.9 Hard graduated filter.
But it was probably too weak also for the streak between the ground and the sky was a little overexposed, but it is good practice for the upcoming U.S. trip.
Today I'll ride up to Stanage Edge again but I'll try to shoot birds instead can be fun to vary a bit :)

Road Trip To Scotland (Part 1)

Last Thursday (skärtorsdagen) after that wife and a friend finished the work for the day, we started with our trip to Scotland. 
Not drive all the way to the Isle of Skye (which was our most northen destination) but stay the first night at the Lake District NP, to then early on Friday morning drive the last long stretch.
The journey from Sheffield to Skye took about 12hr, but as we slept in the Lake District we only had 8-9h driving on Friday.
The long drive didn't matter as the sceneries were breath taking. Passing through among others the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs NP. The journey goes through valleys and mountain, and sometimes it was down to sea ​​and then again up the mountains. Amazing!
On the mountains the snow was very nicely placed just on the highest peaks, and the weather was beautiful with sunshine and just few degrees above zero.
We arrived to Skye in the afternoon, and as our first stop was Talisker Whisky distellery for a guided tour. Maybe not one of my favorites, as its one of the smokier whiskey on the market, but still a lot of fun to see how its made.

We just had few hours before the sunset which we spent on the southwestern parts of the island. The roads are very very narrow in some places, but as there very little to no traffic it was still fine driving there. Plan was to take sunset-pictures, but unfortunately it was not as nice as it could be.
The trip for the day ended at the hostel after a fine spanish meal :))

Kirkstone Pass, Lake District NP

Ullswater, Lake District NP

Loch Lomond NP

Loch Lomond NP

Highlands

Highlands

Royal Forest, Three Sisters

Isle of Skye west coast (achnacloich)

Achnacloich

Evening at Redmire Reservoirs

Yesterday afternoon, I decided to visit Redmire in the evening, mostly to try to get nice pictures of birds in the warm-colored evening light. but the wind was blowing quite a bit about 9 ms, and it was difficult to hand hold the camera in the wind.
I did not see any rare birds, but i saw mini Lapwings they are so cute.
I also saw a lot of hares, have never seen so many hares there before. but they usually are morning and evening active.
Managed also to shoot a water vole from a good level, I was almost in the water;)
But the best that evening was the sunset, it tends to be really nice sky when it is a bit small overcast and windy, so again this time. :)

Nice colours

Running from the photographer

Black headed gull

Wood Warbler

Nice clouds

The litte cute Lapwing

And the cute water vole

redmire reservoirs

More nice coloured skyes

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