Porpoise (and seal)!!!

I kept missing the porpoises on our return trip from Largs to Port Avade (via Kyles of Bute) this weekend. I would either snap too slow (it was hard to know where they'd pop up) or the boat would be rocking too much.
When the weekend was almost over I finally managed to get a couple of shots of the Harbour Porpoise.

I also managed to get the head of a seal but the image is hopelessly blurry due to distance and the fact I was on a rocky boat. It was also too far away for me to get a proper shot.

I will mark the porpoise off my list but it doesn't mean I won't still be looking out for a better image. I'd be over the moon if I could catch more than one of them in a line, jumping out of the water. A noticable landmark in the background would be even better. A dream photo that will not likely occur in 2011's 'Tough Challenge' portfolio.

Seal at Largs


Porpoise at Strone's Point, East Kyle


Porpoise at Kyles, zoomed in


Porpoise at Largs at the end of our trip

A tough challenge

I've been lacking motivation on the photography front for a while now so I decided to set myself a fun challenge for 2011. It will probably not be achievable in just one year but I'm going to do my best.

Challenge: To obtain a photograph of each of Scotland's wild animals in their natural habitat.

http://wildlife.visitscotland.com/species/

Anyone who wishes to join me on any of my trips is more than welcome and any handy tips will be greatly appreciated.

The Ancient Yew Tree of Fortingall

Depending on the website you refer to the ancient Yew tree in Fortingall is the oldest in the UK, Europe or possibly even the entire world. At an age of between 3000 and 9000 years old this is a magnificant tree to visit.

The trunk is a mere shell of what it used to be (16 meters) due to fires and other mishaps over the decades (centuries, even) but there are markers to show where the entire trunk would have been.

A wall now surrounds the Yew to give it further protection, which made it difficult to create a nice photograph to show you. I have decided to show you a new, budding section of branch in my beloved bokeh style, which captures the beginning of spring and the fact that this tree is still very much alive.



For those of you who are religious, or even just curious about the tree and other holy landmarks in Scotland, you can read more about the Yew Tree on this site - Sacred Connections

Aira Force Money Tree

On our journey back from Lake Windermere we stopped at Aira Force, near Lake Ullswater in the Lake District, to see the waterfall. It was very pretty indeed but what caught my attention most was the Money Tree.

A dead tree trunk, lying on the route to the waterfall, had many coins hammered into it. Apparantly vistors to the area hammer in coins and make a wish. If their coin stays in the tree then their wish will be granted. If it falls from the tree or is taken by someone (not easy) then the wish will never come to fruition.

I cannot use this tree for my Higher project because it is in England (I stated I would be using Scottish trees), however I would like to visit Loch Maree, if I get the chance. There are similar money trees (oaks, I think) up there and I can perhaps get a shot of them.

In the meantime, here is the image from Aira Force.

Pentland Hills!

After a lovely walk through Dalkeith Country Park we decided to stop by the Pentland Hills (Hillend) to have a look at the Juniper Trees for my project at college.

Although they look quite amazing while they are bare and wintry, I will go back in March to see how they look as it gets closer to spring. With any luck I will be there when there is a gorgeous sunset.

I didn't climb up to the top of the hill as it was starting to get dark and cold but I did take a photo of a sihouetted tree against the moody clouds that were setting in. I've squared off the image and added a texture ( courtesy of Visualogist - http://www.flickr.com/photos/visualogist/). I don't think the tree is a Juniper, unfortunately, but it looked lovely all the same.

Aberfeldy

Over the rainy weekend I went to Aberfeldy for a little stayover and I am pleased to say that it was gorgeous.
The scenery on the route up was dark and misty giving an eerie, mysterious feel to the hills, glens and Lochs. Aberfeldy itself was very quaint and surrounded by much woodland and gorges where you could go for set walks.
We chose the Birks of Aberfeldy, renamed as such because Rabbie Burns allegedly found inspiration here to write 'The Birks of Aberfeldy'.
Thunderous waterfalls and plenty woodland makes for a pleasant journey on foot, even when it's raining (more-so if has been raining heavy), to see the largest of the waterfalls in full flow.

Here are some photos from the visit.
(Note, I didn't have my tripod with me so the slow shutter shots were, unfortunately, handheld - that would be pretty much all the shots as it was so dark).

The highest waterfall


Another waterfall


Very high drop


Rabbie Burns statue


View from hotel room window


Car lights on route home


Forth Road Bridge from Car