ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Tuesday 15 April 2014

COSTA DEL LINNHE. (15/04/14)

It is perfect weather. A bit hazy maybe but that is just nit picking. _V0G8577 Abhainn Righ. It’s a little river twenty yards from the van.

_V0G8580

_V0G8588 Loch Linnhe looking towards Oban.

_V0G8592 Ardgour. What a change in the weather. I decided to celebrate by taking Bertha out to look for some birds. I saw plenty. Herring Gulls, Oystercatchers, a Cormorant, a Rock Pipet and a Blackthroated Diver. I took some pictures but they are awful even by my standards. This summer I am going to make a determined effort to improve.

Tomorrow I’m heading down to Kinross, this afternoon I’m lens and camera cleaning and then I hope for another play with the Red Camera.

_V0G8620   I nearly forgot the birds. I should have done.

_V0G8608   I hope this is a Black Throated Diver. I think they only get their grey heads in summer. It is getting towards summer though so this could be something else. Hey Ho! It is something else it’s a Great Northern Diver. Like a dog with three tails I am. Pity the little bastard wouldn’t come closer. I think this is a killer or lifer or whatever. I’ve never seen one before. I could do with a pint to celebrate.

That’s all for today.

37 comments:

  1. A great spring time you are having, good for you. I think that the bird is Great Northern Diver, I am not quite sure.

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    1. Bob, I looked it up on the RSPB site and it is one.

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  2. Those waters are so clear. Love the reflections you managed to capture.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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    1. Mersad, it has been a while since the weather was this settled.

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  3. The water reflection images are wonderful! :)

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    1. Monica, it is windy again now but first thing this morning it was frosty but flat calm.

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  4. You are living in a magical place right now. The landscape is rather epic. I can only imagine the birds that come your way. I had to look up Diver to make sure I was seeing a Loon:) An Arctic Loon! Stunning bird. Thanks for sharing your birds. I enjoy studying them.

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    1. Chris, I can't recall having seen one before. It is a grand place in good weather.

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  5. Those first two pictures are magic. Just beautiful. I love it around there. Who needs thousands of pounds worth of equipment when you can take pictures like that!
    Could we have some pictures of your delightful Westies - they are so cute - especially when they are filthy dirty!

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    1. Pat, the dogs are getting a hair cut on Thursday so I'll do a before and after. I kept them close until I had taken the reflection otherwise they would have rippled all the water.
      I agree, the amount some people spend on cameras is a bit silly. Unfortunately I'm one of them.

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  6. Hi Adrian, the Loon is very plentiful here in Canada. We have at least one breeding pair on every lake here in Canada. They have a wonderful call in the evening, very haunting.

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    1. Horst, I've not heard it say anything. I am not sure that they breed here. This one was on it's own.

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  7. I love your reflection images and these are brilliant Adrian, the second is my favourite just because so much is reflected, the Oystercatcher and the Great Northern Diver (or Loon as some call them) is also nice.

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    1. Douglas, the birds could have done with being closer and crisper. It was a good morning but a bit cool.

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  8. I just want you to know I am so jealous... It's a beautiful part of the world.

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    1. Andrew, it is great in good weather and can be impressive in bad.

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  9. Beautiful scenes, love the reflections.

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    1. Pauline, yes a good day. It looks to be set fair for a week.

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  10. The water is so perfectly still in the first image. As for the last one, I would have guess Common Loon. And yes, I'm talking about the bird. .not you. ;)

    Lovely pics as always.

    Oh and I just now looked it up. It would seem they are one and the same. We have loons on our lake ... when it's liquid. Hopefully it will be again before too long.

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    1. Hilary, fortunately I got there before the dogs. Two minutes later it wasn't so tranquil.
      Yes the Loon is one and the same.

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  11. Great reflections in the first two photos. You had to work to get in the right position to get these. Nicely done.

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    1. Red, I didn't have to move far. It made up for last week.

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    2. Perhaps it's just a ...duck? Trying taking bread with you next time Adrian.

      Gorgeous photos, as always.

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    3. No Frances it only eats fish.

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    4. Maybe bread with fish paste on. They must sell fish paste for something.

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  12. Beautiful vistas, as usual.

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  13. To be a successful avian photographer you need to learn to be more patient, more chilled out with a calmer disposition - not like a raging Brian Blessed after a few pints, yelling at your dogs to come out of the water while kicking Bertha's tyres. Attitude as much as as technical expertise. Camouflage would also help.

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    1. YP, many thanks. I'll try and bear these tips in mind. I suspect the zoo is the answer the little devils can't fly away.
      Forget the camouflage; I am not tarring and feathering myself.

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    2. No Adrian. Others will be happy to do that. Watch out for rabid SNP supporters.

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  14. Beautiful ... I love the water reflections. You seem to have a good time ;)
    A hug.

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    1. Laura, it is just great when the sun shines.

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  15. The second image is what I really aspired to achieve (although with the garish hues of an autumnal day that you so heartily abhor). I managed it in the Lake District a few times in my early photographic career. Well done with the GND.

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    1. Graham, Iwasn't too happy with it at first but I have put the RAW file in my print folder. I have looked all over it at 100% and it will print well on shiny paper. I do like autumn colour but it can get overpowering.
      The GND made my day.

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  16. The haze doesn't matter when the eyes are focused on perfect reflections like that, amazing shots.

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