A few weeks ago we (I) decided a trip to Lewis & Harris was a great idea, it's my birthday treat so, the trip was booked via Skye for a day or two. It's February son, warned my wise mother. So? I thought.
So, here we sit, in our lovely cottage on Great Bernera while the howling wind tears across the landscape outside. 🥶
Ach, it's only weather, right?
Who thought February would be fine ? 😅
So, Skye.
So, here we sit, in our lovely cottage on Great Bernera while the howling wind tears across the landscape outside. 🥶
Ach, it's only weather, right?
Who thought February would be fine ? 😅
So, Skye.
We have visited Skye before, way back in 2007 not long after we first met. I didn't have the same interest in birds or wildlife back then so this time I was looking forward to walking, seeing and photographing not only the wildlife but the scenery too.
We decided to take the A9 North to Dalwhinnie then theA889, A86, A87 to Portree on Skye, stopping for two nights.
There's no shortage of Hooded Crows on Skye, small flocks and pairs everywhere, which is great, I love Corvids and these are fine examples.
The first morning of the 25th I was up and out for sunrise down by the harbour in Portree and there was more around than I expected.
The first morning of the 25th I was up and out for sunrise down by the harbour in Portree and there was more around than I expected.
Hooded Crow on a lamppost
The first morning of the 25th I was up and out for sunrise down by the harbour in Portree and there was more around than I expected. It was still fairly dark so photographing birds was a bit of a challenge.
Approaching Eider male
Eider male cruising by
A male Eider came paddling towards me, I didn't see any other around, then it set about feeding.
There were plenty gulls around, Herring, Black-backed great and lesser, Common and Yellow legged, according to Merlin
Rooks, Crows and Jackdaw aplenty.
But, there were other plans for the day so I went back early to shower, change and hit the road. First stop, the Fairy Glen.
The glen is pretty spectacular and well worth a visit outside of tourist season if you can and lots of Ravens and Buzzards around. We were really lucky and got a stunningly clear but cold day.
There were plenty gulls around, Herring, Black-backed great and lesser, Common and Yellow legged, according to Merlin
Rooks, Crows and Jackdaw aplenty.
But, there were other plans for the day so I went back early to shower, change and hit the road. First stop, the Fairy Glen.
The glen is pretty spectacular and well worth a visit outside of tourist season if you can and lots of Ravens and Buzzards around. We were really lucky and got a stunningly clear but cold day.
Raven pair
I watched a pair of Ravens soaring and playing in the distance , formation flying and tumbling.
We headed off again to drive around the North of the island and ended up doing a non-stop loop, apart from one eye-catching event. Scrunch of brakes and gravel.
Female Kestrel on a wire
A beautiful female Kestrel on a wire right next to the road.
I ended up lying across from the driver seat to capture her through the passenger window with the P950.
I ended up lying across from the driver seat to capture her through the passenger window with the P950.
One more stop for a scenic shot accidentally got me this Buzzard.
