Photo Blog of Scotland

Loch Venachar, Trossachs

2012-01-17T14:40:00.000Z

Photos taken on Sunday 15 Jan of Loch Venachar, near Callendar in the Trossachs. There were beautiful reflections in the Loch.

White-Tailed Sea Eagle, Loch Leven

2012-01-10T13:17:00.001Z

On Saturday I went back to Loch Leven to see if I could see one of the East Scotland Sea Eagles currently resident on St. Serf's Island.

We had a nice view over to the island, but I couldn't see either of the eagles on there. A short while later, one flew into view and landed on the island. It was quite a distance away, too far for a tag reading, so no idea if it was the male (turquoise X) or female (turquoise H).

The wind was quite strong and cold on Saturday, and as we were thinking of leaving, I watching the eagle one last time through the binoculars, saying at the same time "Come on Eagle, just give us a little flight or something..." - just as I finished my sentance, it took off! It flew along the island for a while, before disappearing behind the reed beds on the far side. Unfortunately there were no flight photos as the camera battery died just as the eagle took off and by the time my other half had put the fully charged one it, it had landed out of sight - can't have everything!

My other half took these photos, but with it being far away, they are not that great.

Looks like the eagle is watching the crow!

White-Tailed Eagle - you can just see it's turquoise wing tag

White-Tailed Eagles - Loch leven

2012-01-06T12:48:00.001Z

Two of the east Scotland 2009 released eagles, Turquoise tagged H (female) and X (male), have been regular visitors over recent weeks at Loch Leven. They seem to like spending winter there, having been seen last year also.

I popped over there on 22nd December to see if I could see them. I wasn't disappointed.

The photos are distant and not that good as I didn't take the zoom and DSLR, but nice to see them.

East Scotland White-Tailed Sea Eagles 1 Nov

2011-11-03T13:54:00.005Z

It was a lovely day weather-wise on Tuesday, something that has been few and far between of late. I decided to see if I could get some white-tailed sea eagle watching done.

Conditions were perfect ... but was it all too perfect? No, I was soon rewarded with the first sighting of the day. Perched in a tree was Red P, one of the eagles I had seen just a few weeks beforehand on the radio tracking afternoon. Red P is also a bit of a celebrity, spotted pre-release on a feature about the east Scotland release project on Countryfile at the weekend... he/she didn't seem to have let fame go to his/her head!

'Red P'

After we walked past Red P another eagle flew into the area, soaring in the sky above, getting mobbed by crows. Beautiful views of it. Update Jan '12: looking at the various photos taken again of this particular eagle flying, I caught sight of a wing tag and it looks like this eagle is Red1.

Incoming eagle!

Red P eventually took off, had a bit of a soar and then landed in a tree opposite, and then I spotted another eagle sat nearby. I was trying hard to identify this one, but the red tag was blowing in the wind so I could only see the reverse and when it went the correct side, it was too quick for me to see. It looked like a 1 or a T but not sure. (Seeing as the eagle above seems to now be Red1, the one below might have been H or T).

Spot the eagle! Red tag visible.

That particular eagle took off a while later and circled above us for a while, again the crows mobbed.

The formation of sea eagle and two crows reminded me of the Battle of Britain memorial flight of the lancaster bomber flanked by a spitfire and hurricane! I'm sure at times the crows were actually trying to land on the eagles' wings.

Red P took to the sky again as well, the crows took chase.

The three eagles gave us some fantastic views, it was a perfect afternoon!

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House Sparrows

2011-10-19T10:43:00.001+01:00

Photographs taken yesterday of the House Sparrows.

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Blue & Coal Tits

2011-10-19T10:36:00.002+01:00

Photographs I've taken in my garden recently of Blue and Coal Tits.

Coal Tit flies away

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Chaffinches

2011-10-19T10:33:00.001+01:00

Chaffinches photographed in my garden recently.

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White-Tailed Sea Eagle Tracking

2011-10-17T10:48:00.001+01:00

On Wednesday 12 October I spent an afternoon / evening with the RSBP's new and former east coast sea eagle officers tracking some of the east coast White-Tailed Sea Eagles, one of the Wild Connections events in Perthshire last week.

What a fantastic time I had. We went to a roost site and had a go with the radio tracking equipment, picking up a signal from one of the east coast eagles. I got to hold one of the radio transmitters that the eagles wear on their backs and they are extremely lightweight, and I doubt the eagles even notice they are wearing them. I also got to see some feathers, one of which was probably the largest feather I have ever held! No wonder the eagles can soar so efficiently.

After having a go with the tracking equipment, we tried to see if we could spot the eagle who's signal we were tracking. We saw it some distance away perched in a tree. This was eagle tagged Red A, one of this year's releases.

Red A

Another signal was being picked up so we tried to spot that one, which was in the opposite direction. We walked some distance, stopping to scan the trees for any sign, until finally it was spotted. This was Red E. Moving along the track for a clearer view, I was trying to pick up Red E again, only to discover in my binoculars an eagle with a turquoise tag! This eagle was just a few trees along from Red E, and was Turquoise Z, a male from the 2009 release. He had some food in the branch which he was eating.

Red E and Turquoise Z

Not far from those two eagles, we spotted another perched on a tree. This was Red P. There was also Red 2. So a very successful evening of eagle watching!

Red P

Turquoise Z

On Saturday I went back to the same area, in the hope of another sighting. This time I saw a couple of large sillouettes fly past a gap in the trees out of sight. Eagles!

Walking around to a good vantage point, there was a buzzard extremely agitated in a nearby tree. It kept circling above the trees, calling. I knew an eagle had to be somewhere in the trees, although I couldn't see it. It wasn't long before the buzzard achieved it's objective and flushed the eagle out. It chased it away, despite being dwafted by the huge sea eagle! I was watching the action through my bincoluars while my other half took photos. I had hoped to be able to get an i.d on the wing tags, which were red for this year's release, but it was flying in the wrong direction.

Buzzard not happy!

Buzzard chases off the White-Tailed Eagle!

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River Ericht Walk, Blairgowrie, Perthshire

2011-08-31T11:53:00.013+01:00

On Saturday I did the River Ericht walk, which takes you across Kitty Swanson's Bridge at about the halfway point. I started the walk from Rattray so it was slightly longer than shown in the walk leaflet.

I spotted a family of buzzards soaring above the trees and calling to one another and there were plenty of peacock butterflies in the fields.

A long walk, with paths pretty overgrown (lots of nettles in places) for the most part and wet. It was hard going and the walking boots got saturated! We didn't see anyone else on the main part of the walk, very quiet.

Kitty Swanson's Bridge

River Ericht

Buzzard soaring, saw three of them in a group

View to Blairgowrie

This walk is part of the Blairgowrie Path Network and you can see the route on the leaflet here (River Ericht Walk).

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Ben Gullipen & Highland Cows

2011-08-24T14:13:00.004+01:00

On Sunday we walked up Ben Gullipen near Callendar. This is a nice leg-stretcher of a hill, not that high, but great views.

The Highland Coos were on the slopes, and they looked lovely against the backdrop of sun-flecked hills.

The views from the summit are fantastic, looking down Loch Venachar towards Ben A'an Loch Lomond is just visible. The peak of Ben Lomond could be seen, it's summit getting brushed by the cloud. Ben Ledi is directly opposite Ben Gullipen on the otherside of Loch Venachar. Looking in the opposite direction, I could see the Ochil Hills and the Wallace Monument and Castle in Stirling.

A lot of tree felling has gone on in the area since I was last here a few years ago.

Looking down Loch Venachar

Ben Ledi

Highland Cows (coos!)Ben A'an (right) with a distant Loch Lomond just visible

Highland Coos with Callendar behindCorbie Labrador enjoyed his walk!

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Hills of Rannoch & Glencoe

2011-07-25T13:10:00.004+01:00

On the drive across to the west coast on Saturday, we went via Glencoe. I managed to get some good photos out of the car window whilst on the move. It was too busy in the main laybys to stop!

The Blackmount

Buachaille Etive Mor

Stob Dearg, the clouds make it look like its puffing smoke!

Looking towards the Three Sisters of Glencoe

Reflections in Loch Achtriochtan

Castle Stalker, Appin, Argyll

2011-07-25T13:01:00.005+01:00

I had a lovely weekend camping at Benderloch, north of Oban on the west coast. The weather was fantastic, blue sky all weekend!

One of the walks we did was along the shore with a great view of Castle Stalker.

A Summer Morning at Loch Leven, Perth & Kinross

2011-07-14T12:15:00.010+01:00

Had a nice walk at nearby Loch Leven this morning. The temperature was a lovely 20 degrees C.

The loch was calm and amongst my sightings were black headed gulls, heron, tufted duck, swallows, mute swans.

Sedge Warbler
(many thanks Theresa for helping me identify it!)
Heron
Tufted ducks & mute swan on the Loch

Swallows

My Wildlife Art

2011-07-06T09:03:00.006+01:00

This year I have turned my artistic side to wildlife art, having concentrated solely on pets for a while.

There is so much fantastic wildlife on my doorstep, I really wanted to give the wildlife art a go. The difficulty was deciding what subjects to draw or paint!

My main interest has become the White-Tailed Sea Eagle, a bird I had been wanting to paint as soon as I had my first sighting of one. Readers of this blog may well remember me writing about that last August!

You can view my wildlife art on my website www.karen-hartnell.co.uk

Blue Tit

Greylag Geese

White-Tailed Sea Eagles

Little Feathered Cuties!

2011-05-27T16:53:00.007+01:00

Meet my young house sparrows! Recently fledged, they are now hanging around the feeder a lot.

The one on the right was chasing the adults, shuddering his wings, beak fully open still demanding a feed ... they just ignored him!

Here's a couple of photos of young Greylags and Mallard I took at Kinghorn Loch, near Burntisland, on an extremely windy day last Sunday.

Garden Bluebells

2011-05-27T16:47:00.007+01:00

Finally managed to get some photos of the bluebells in my garden. I planted some bulbs about three years ago and they are really starting to multiply into nice clumps.

Fly on a poppy

The cornflowers never disappoint

Bluebells

2011-05-11T13:45:00.003+01:00

I haven't had much time to update the blog recently, but wanted to share these pictures I took of bluebells a couple of weeks ago near East Linton - it was nice to see some pink ones amongst the blue.

Spring has Sprung!

2011-04-12T17:00:00.004+01:00

The daffodils are in bloom and I spotted my first Swallows on Friday, so I think I can now definitely say that Spring is here at last.

Temperatures were enjoyed of 20 degrees C over the weekend, although that's dropped by almost 10 degrees for the start of the week.

I did a walk along part of the River Earn on Saturday and watched Sand Martins darting in and out of a large dirt bank. I also saw a Treecreeper.

The blackbirds have built a nest in the honeysuckle, so I'm waiting to see if they actually nest there. Activity seems to have gone quiet, even though the blackbirds are still visiting.

Plenty of photos to update with, just got to find the time!

Glen Lyon, Perthshire

2011-03-08T11:20:00.008Z

Reported to be one of Scotland's most beautifuls glens, and I could see why!

This was only my second visit to Glen Lyon, the last was in October 2002 on my first ever holiday to Scotland (little did I know that a year later I would move to Perthshire!).

The day started miserably, with drizzle and low cloud. Our first walk of the day was going to be Kenmore Hill above Loch Tay - given that there would be no view from the summit, we decided to walk at nearby Drummond Hill instead, a walk we had done before. There are good views from the Black Rock viewpoint down onto Kenmore and Loch Tay. Thankfully, by the time we reached the viewpoint, the drizzle had stopped and the cloud was lifting a bit.

Then it was onto Glen Lyon. The cloud was clinging to the tops of the hills, but patches of blue sky were appearing and spotlights of sunshine travelled along the glen.

We did the Birchwood walk, near Bridge of Balgie, which had lovely views.

View down the glen

Looking towards the road to Loch Tay

We drove back along the road that goes to Loch Tay, and the cloud was sitting in this corrie behind Meall nan Tarmachan like a steaming volcano. A short distance down the road from here, we drove into the cloud, the Ben Lawers hills shrouded from view. There were a lot of cars in the car park, but not a day for getting a good view!

Camasunary & Loch na Crèitheach, Skye

2011-02-01T09:07:00.010Z

23 November 2010
Photos from a day walking from Kilmarie to remote Camasunary and Loch na Crèitheach: We were out for seven hours, having some of the best walking ever. Gorgeous weather, clear views, amazing sunset.

No one else seen all day - apart from two RAF jets who kept circling the area, before one of the pilots took a final flight low down Glen Sligachan past us, as if he was saying farewell!

The Mighty CuillinMy Labrador, Corbie, reflected in a puddle, enjoying his walk View down to Camasunary

From inside the bothy - we sat in the sunshine outside the bothy having our lunch, it was lovely!

Loch na Crèitheach

Eigg and Rhum We timed the walk back perfectly and sat at the top of the track and watched the sun set behind Rhum

Neist Point & Lighthouse

2011-01-20T14:54:00.006Z

Photographs taken on 22 November 2010 at Neist Point, the most westerly part of the Isle of Skye.

Unfortunately, there were signs about saying 'No Dogs on Hill!' - we weren't exactly sure if this meant on the lighthouse path as well, there were sheep down there, so we had to leave ours in the car just in case and run down to take pics... the running downhill was easy, but the uphill a struggle on the way back, it's steep back up the steps near the car park!

Stevenson's lighthouse at Neist Point - automated in 1990

View across to the Outer Hebrides
Afternoon light on the cliffs

Our Bridge Has Gone!

2011-01-17T11:27:00.011Z

Update Feb 9: From the update Article in Perthshire Advertiser it doesn't look like our bridge will get replaced. Such a shame as it is very popular, especially with those of us with dogs who use it most days.

~

I heard today that the bridge over the River Devon, by Rumbling Bridge, got washed away over the weekend. I have seen the water just a few inches from it before, but I couldn't believe it was gone! I expect it will take some time to get a new one in place.

The bridge before - I took this in April 2010, the highest I had seen the river flowing under it!

I went down with the camera today and took these photos of how it looks now.

The bridge, further down the river than it should be!

The bridge supports

Long-Tailed Tits

2011-01-07T15:40:00.007Z

The Long-Tailed Tit is not a common visitor to my garden, having only ever spotted a couple.

During the Christmas holidays, I looked out into the garden at dusk one day and saw the fatball feeder covered in lots of them! I counted a group of 10 in total. They have since become regular visitors, now they know that the food is there for them.

I took a video the first evening I saw them and some photos when they came back another day. Cute little things!

Long-Tailed Tits sharing the fatballs with a Blue and Great Tit

A video of them feeding - sorry for poor lighting but it was getting dark when they appeared.

Camas Daraich, Point of Sleat

2011-01-07T10:35:00.011Z

Day One, Walk Two, Skye 21 November 2010

Camas Daraich - a beach of white sand, turquoise water and stunning views to Ardnamurchan and Arisaig on the mainland. It is also my Labrador's favourite beach, he never wants to leave!

The weather was perfect, a lovely sunny November afternoon, the beach to ourselves for the most part, with just a couple of people also visiting. The water looked very inviting, clear and still, shame it was so cold!

I sat for a while with my binoculars scanning the water. There were plenty of cormorants and then I spotted the first of two otters. Both were swimming and diving. They were quite a way off shore and I wouldn't have seen them without the binoculars.

A seal popped its head up close by. I wonder if it was the same one who came to say hello last time we were there?!

Before the paw prints covered the sand!

One lucky dog!

Seal pops up to have a look

Spot the otter - can see it's head and back near the centre of image

Bye bye beach...

Acairseid an Rubha, Point of Sleat

2011-01-07T10:21:00.011Z

Day One, Walk One, Skye Holiday, 21 November 2010

A slightly cloudy morning, hills were clear, and the day began with a walk near Point of Sleat.

Isle of Eigg

Our walk took us along the track from Aird of Sleat and to the cairns at Acairseid an Rubha. As we arrived there, the sun appeared and the Cuillins were cloud free!

Spot the well camouflaged croft remainsSmall harbour with the two cairns visible on the outcrop

View to the Cuillins

Bla Bheinn

Isle of Rhum

View to Eigg

Next stop, our Labrador's favourite beach at Camas Daraich ...

My Christmas - In Search of the White Tailed Eagle

2011-01-06T10:10:00.017Z

Timing, as always, was perfect - a nasty cold just in time for Christmas! I woke up early on Christmas morning and decided I needed to do something memorable for the day, instead of focusing on how awful I was feeling.

The plan? To head to Loch Leven, near Kinross, to try and spot the White Tailed Eagle that has been frequenting the Loch recently. My other half was feeling almost as bad as I was and an early morning of bird watching wasn't exactly his cup of tea, but it was Christmas Day and he knew I'd enjoy it!

We parked in a deserted and icy Vane Farm car park and wandered along the road, keeping eyes peeled for the 'flying barn door'.

We walked a short distance along the Heritage Trail and slogged through the snow to the fence, giving a clear view across the frozen Loch. The rising sun was turning the tops of the surrounding hills pink.

Binoculars in hand, I began to scan the horizon looking for the Eagle. I was set up for disappointment, but soon I caught sight of the 'flying barn door'! It flew low in the distance for a short time before disappearing behind trees. Even though it was obviously the Eagle, I was still doubting what I had seen. A few geese in the vicinity began to honk and took flight, casting any Eagle doubts from my mind. I had definitely seen it. Then I caught another glimpse of it flying, the huge wings unmissable against the snowy backdrop.

After losing it for a few minutes, I saw it standing on the snow next to a bush. My other half joked, saying that it looked like a Labrador sat there it was so large! It flapped it's massive wings a few times, and then didn't do much else.

By this time, my feet were like ice, throat as sore as it could possibly be and I was coughing, so thought it best we headed home. Spent the best part of the rest of Christmas Day in bed ill, but at least I saw my Eagle!

I've cropped the original photo I took and circled the Eagle, so you can see it. Unfortunately, it was quite misty, which didn't help with clear photos.

Views from the loch side

Perthshire Winter #3

2010-12-14T12:46:00.006Z

Some more wintery scenes from my part of Perthshire.

The blue/grey shadow of the Earth clearly visible in the east as the sun sets

Garden Birds #2

2010-12-14T12:43:00.003Z

Garden birds taken one wintery morning, when they were having a feeding frenzy.

Great Tits

Coal Tit

My friendly Robin is still around!

Garden Birds #1

2010-12-14T12:35:00.004Z

Photos of the birds in my garden one morning.

Blue Tits

Starling

Deer in the Snow - Perthshire Winter #2

2010-12-14T12:28:00.002Z

The local deer in the snow.

Perthshire Winter #1

2010-12-14T12:21:00.004Z

A selection of photos I've taken here during the last couple of weeks - I haven't forgotten about the Skye photos, just need a few hours spare to go through them all and select.

Skye - The Arrival

2010-12-04T12:37:00.006Z

20 - 27 November was spent on the gorgeous Isle of Skye.

We stayed in a lovely cottage on the Sleat peninsular, near Armadale. Here's a few photos taken from the shore at the bottom of the garden... it was difficult waking up to this view every day!

Lots more Skye blog posts to follow of my photos taken during the week. We were blessed with great weather everyday - blue skies, sunshine - until the Thursday when the snow arrived. it was perfect!

Almost reached our destination - view by Isleornsay

From the shore:
Looking across to Mallaig

View across Sound of Sleat towards Beinn Sgritheall (left) on the Glenelg peninsular

Sunrise the following morning from the garden - plenty more sunrise photos to follow

Antonine Wall / Forth & Clyde Canal

2010-11-04T12:43:00.007Z

Photos from a walk starting a the Falkirk Wheel and walking to Rough Castle Roman Fort on the Antonine Wall. Then back along the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Rough Castle Roman Fort, Antonine Wall

Remnants of enemy trap holes dug by the Romans!

Mallard

Goosander

Dunmore Pineapple

2010-11-04T12:37:00.005Z

Saturday's walk to the Dunmore Pineapple, near Kincardine.

Read more about this amazing piece of architecture on Undiscovered Scotland.

One of the many redwoods

Autumnal Perthshire

2010-11-04T12:25:00.007Z

I did a lovely long walk on Sunday, encompassing Dunkeld and Birnam, Perthshire.

Here are some photos of the amazing autumn colours. I nearly lost the images, as my digital memory card got an error and I lost the lot, but thanks to recovery software, I got them back, phew!

Enjoy the colours of Perthshire in Autumn!

The famous Birnam Oak

Dunkeld

Rumbling Bridge

Buzzard

2010-11-01T14:11:00.005Z

I spotted this buzzard soaring near the Gargunnock Hills, near Stirling, last weekend.

Sunsets, etc

2010-10-20T09:20:00.004+01:00

Photos I have taken locally during the evening this week, mostly sunsets with a couple of others.

Hundreds of crows heading to their nearby roost for the night, just before darkness fell. The noise was incredible.

The moon. I took this with no tripod and guessed the settings and it came out perfectly first time!

Sunsets

Loch Leven

2010-10-15T14:13:00.008+01:00

I popped down to nearby Loch Leven yesterday afternoon to watch the wildfowl on the loch and take some photos.

Greylag geese

Black Headed Gull

Tufted Ducks

Geese

Loch Leven

Crow

A couple of Whooper Swans among the geese, one is feeding, head underwater

Black Headed Gulls, Loch Leven

2010-10-15T14:06:00.007+01:00

I photographed this group of Black Headed Gulls at Loch Leven yesterday afternoon. They were taking off from the water and diving back down into the Loch, bathing themselves. Fascinating to watch.

Views Above Killin, Perthshire

2010-10-14T12:13:00.006+01:00

Photos taken on different days when walking up Sròn a Chlachain overlooking Killin, Perthshire.

July 2005
A summer's day

Looking down at Loch Tay

View to Stob Binnein & Ben More

January 2006
A foggy winter's morning

Tarmachan Ridge

View to the Lawers Range

Fog hides Glen Dochart from view

Loch Lubnaig

2010-10-14T12:09:00.002+01:00

January 2006
Photos of Loch Lubnaig, near Callendar.

Pittenweem & St Monans, Fife

2010-10-14T10:40:00.008+01:00

July 2005
A collection of photos taken during a walk along the Fife Coastal Path from Pittenweem to St. Monans and back. A beautiful summer's day.

Fishing boats in Pittenweem Harbour

View across the Forth

Coastal geology, looking towards St. Monans

Pittenweem

Tidal swimming pool

Windmill at St. Monans

St. Monans Harbour

Colourful architechture

A Mediterranean feel!

Perthshire Scenes

2010-10-12T11:32:00.005+01:00

July 2005
Views from the hillside near Meall a Charra, Perthshire.

Priest's Stone, thought to date back to the 7th Century. The stone was moved to its current location on the Clunie Power Station road when the River Tummel was flooded.

View to Ben VrackiePitlochry

Carn Liath, Beinn a'Ghlo hills.

Carn Aosda, Glenshee

2010-10-12T11:06:00.005+01:00

August 2004

Photos from our hike up Carn Aosda - 917m (3008ft) - a Munro situated within Scotland's largest ski resort of Glenshee. It's not the most picturesque of hills, with ski tows littering the hillside, but offers great views down the glen and surrounding peaks.

The Cairnwell

The Cairnwell and Ski Centre

Loch Vrotachan

View back to Carn Aosda

Glen Turret

2010-09-17T16:08:00.005+01:00

Photos of Glen Turret, near Crieff in Perthshire, taken in summer 2004 when I walked the nearby hill called Choinneachain Hill, 787m.

Loch Turret

Loch Turret, heather

View to Ben Chonzie

A landscape created by glaciers

Highland Cattle

Recent Bird Sightings

2010-09-08T17:00:00.004+01:00

Ringed Plover, near PooleweBlack-throated Divers, Slaggan Bay Cormorants and divers, Slaggan Bay Black-backed Gull, Slaggan Bay Local Buzzards

Sgurr na Coinnich, Skye

2010-09-08T13:29:00.009+01:00

On my first visit to the Isle of Skye in September 2008, I hiked up the hill Sgurr na Coinnich, 739m.

There isn't a path up to the summit, just have to find your way through the heather and up the hillside.

The steep, pathless climb was worth it - but the best bit of the walk? Seeing three Golden Eagles soaring right past us, before they headed onwards towards Kylerhea. Not our first Golden Eagle encounter; we had two fly close by when hiking up Ben Ledi near Callendar a few years earlier.

I'm hoping to hike up nearby Ben Aslak soon.

Here's some pictures from that walk:

View across to Glenelg

The pathless way up

Golden eagles - Thankfully they made a noise,

so I definitely knew they weren't buzzards!View of Broadford and the CuillinsApplecross penninsular and Skye BridgeKyle of Lochalsh

Loch Alsh

Peacock Butterflies

2010-09-03T09:14:00.010+01:00

I went for a walk in the Ochil Hills yesterday morning. It was a glorious day with blue sky, warm sunshine and a fabulous landscape.

I came across some Peacock Butterflies sunning themselves on a patch of thistles. There were lots of them flying about, interspersing the pink and fluffy cotton heads of the thistles with their bright orange/red wings.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My First White-Tailed Sea Eagle!

2010-08-31T14:25:00.012+01:00

At last I have seen my first sea eagle!

I was standing by my back door, chatting to a friend on the phone, when I heard a crow making a lot of noise outside - my friend heard it from her end of the phone too! I looked out and saw it following a large bird, flying behind the trees at the back of my garden. I was giving my friend a running commentary at the same time.

I thought it looked too big to be a buzzard, heron briefly sprang to mind as we have a lot flying around here but it didn't match the usual profile. But then as the two birds flew into clear view I knew exactly what was being chased by the crow - a juvenille white-tailed sea eagle! It wasn't flying very high, just above the trees, so I got a good view of its colouring as it turned left, and the huge wingspan. There was no mistaking it. The view was but a brief one as it went back behind the trees again and flew away.

I ran to get the camera just in case, so I will be on eagle watch now! I'm sure it must have been one of the birds recently released in Fife.

I thought my first sighting would be on Skye or around the north west coast, but not whilst standing in my own back garden - to say I'm happy would be an understatement!

So my first otters and sea eagle this month, not a bad way to end August...

Update 6 Sept: I have received a reply from the RSPB Sea Eagle Officer who thinks that the eagle I saw was the male "Yellow Z". He was around Loch Leven on 30/31st Aug. He's was reported nearby again at the weekend, so I will keep my eyes peeled for him!

Beaches, Red Point

2010-08-20T12:58:00.010+01:00

A selection of photographs of the beaches at Red Point, Wester Ross. The sand was incredibly soft.

Lovely views across to Skye, Raasay and the peaks of the Applecross peninsular.

View across to Skye
Applecross hills
Ruins by the shore
Small island accessable at low tide - we went over and had a look, lovely colourful mosses and lichens on the rocks
View across to Skye and the nearest of the beaches
Huge dunes

Shieldaig, near Gairloch

2010-08-19T09:50:00.007+01:00

A few scenic shots of Shieldaig, Wester Ross, situated on the shores of Loch Gairloch.

A couple of hours later as the tide was going out.

My First Otters!

2010-08-18T10:36:00.006+01:00

Finally, I have seen my first otter in the wild. In fact, not just one, but two!

We were hiking by a remote lochan near Gairloch in Wester Ross, when I heard a chirping sound. I thought it was just a bird on the nearby lochan. I heard the noise again and saw something swimming, I automatically thought it was a bird. Then it dived under the surface revealing it's body and I realised it was in fact an animal's head I had seen.

I waited for it to resurface and I wasn't disappointed. Swimming towards me was an otter, soon followed by another! I remembered seeing otters on wildlife presenter Simon King's recent Shetland programme and the noise the cub was making to its parents was the same.

We were standing on the track and the otters were only a few feet from us in clear view. They dived and surfaced, and swam some more, before disappearing from view. I did see a fish jump into the air further up the loch so wondered if that's where they had gone. We stayed for a few minutes, but didn't see them again. Unfortunately, we still had a way to go on our walk so couldn't hang around, but it was wonderful to experience otters at last.

Credit goes to my other half for the first three photos - he's got a bigger zoom on his camera than I have!

My photos:

Two heads swimming along

... and gone

Stac Pollaidh Hike

2010-08-06T11:32:00.009+01:00

On 23rd July, having picked a glorious summer's day to head north, we hiked the hill Stac Pollaidh (pronounced Stack Polly) in Assynt.

The views were magnificent, with distant views to the peaks of the very north glistening white in the sun. The blue of the lochans that were interspersed between peaks like Suilven and Cul Mor, stood out against the barren summer green of the wilderness.

We spotted a small group of stags close by on the hillside, and they seemed happy to graze as we walked by.

It was a great day to be in the hills.

There are a lot of photos on this blog post, but there were too many photographic opportunities and this is only a small selection out of the total I took!

Stag

Cul Mor

Suilven

Wilderness

Looking towards the road and car park

View to the Summer Isles

View from the ridge towards the summit scramble

My Labrador loves the hills!

Into the Red Cuillins

2010-06-25T11:18:00.007+01:00

Attempted to walk up the Druim na Ruaige ridge - I failed, not as hill fit as I would like, and I was also very tired from lack of sleep due to wild camping !! Always next time. But the weather turned out to be fantastic and we had lovely views. Although I'm suffering with a very itchy bite off a horsefly during this walk.

Cloud-covered Cuillins

View down to the Sligachan Hotel

Marsco

Bog cotton, with Glamaig as the backdrop

Glen Sligachan

The Cuillins didn't stay cloud covered for long

River Sligachan & Cuillins, Skye

2010-06-25T11:08:00.003+01:00

A selection of photos taken this week of the River Sligachan and the Cuillins. The river was very low, an indication of how little rain has fallen across Scotland recently, it doesn't always rain up here!

Glamaig Sligachan Hotel

Eigg & Rhum

2010-06-25T11:02:00.003+01:00

Views towards Eigg and Rhum from Skye:

Rhum

Eigg

Early morning view to RhumFishing boat passes in front of Eigg

Views of Bla Bheinn, Skye

2010-06-25T10:50:00.008+01:00

On Monday night I wild camped for the first time. The ground felt like concrete beneath and the sound of fishing boats chugging out to sea seemed to go on all night long... and then there was the sheep from 4am!

But the lack of sleep was more than made up for by the outstanding views of Bla Bheinn. As it was also the longest day, it seemed to take forever for the sun to set - I'm sure there was a lovely sunset, but we were too tired to stay up late enough. The midges also surfaced around 9pm so in the tent we remained until morning!

We had intended to hike up Bla Bheinn but as we arrived the cloud was settling in and as my other half had tried to do it before only to have to retreat because of the cloud, he didn't want that again. So we drove over to do a walk near Sligachan instead.

Glencoe Drive - 2

2010-06-11T09:53:00.008+01:00

Continuing from previous blog entry.

Next stop - Ballachulish.

Eilean Munde - former burial island, Loch Leven

Sgorr na Ciche / Pap of Glencoe

Then a drive back to Glencoe and a short walk to the lochans.

The Aonach Eagach ridge

Glencoe Drive - 1

2010-06-11T09:34:00.009+01:00

On 4th June I took a drive to Ballachulish, Lochaber. It was my birthday and my parents were staying with us and they had never been to that area before. Had a few short walks enroute with the dogs.

We were so lucky as the weather was glorious. The midges were out but not too bad, and I think the repellent I covered myself in helped!

First stop was Crainlarich.

View of Ben More

The dogs enjoying themselves at the community woodland walk

The we stopped at Dalrigh, just south of Tyndrum. The dogs were encouraged into the river as they found a nice bog at Crainlarich! The weather was so nice we sat out and had a lovely picnic too.

View of Ben Lui

Ben More and Stob Binnein

Bridge over the River Fillian

River Fillian

Quick stop at road works but got some photos of the Blackmount and Rannoch Moor

Buachaille Etive Mor

Three Sisters, Bidean nam Bian

Peaks of the Far North West

2010-05-27T13:21:00.006+01:00

Earlier this month we drove up to the far north west of Scotland. It was the first time I had seen the magnificent peaks of Assynt in close proximity.

We had planned to hiked Stac Polliadh at the end of the first day, but the weather had turned and we were both pretty tired, so decided if the next day was better then we would do it. Unfortunately, my other half was fighting a cold and with a four hour drive back home in front of him, we decided to do a couple of shorter walks. As soon as we can get back up, we shall be doing Stac Pollaidh!

Despite low cloud, we did manage glimpses of Suilven, etc. I took the following photos between 5.30 and 6.30am!

Stac Pollaidh

Stac Pollaidh and Cul Beag

Cul Mor, Stac Polliadh, Cul Beag, Beinn an Eoin - approx 5.30am

Stac Pollaidh

Stac Polliadh, Cul Beag, Beinn an Eoin

Stac Pollaidh

Looking back at the hillsSuilven

Corrieshalloch Gorge & Falls of Measach

2010-05-18T14:34:00.006+01:00

This is an incredibly impressive gorge near Ullapool. A walk across the suspension bridge or onto the viewing platform is not recommended for those with no head for heights - I could just about stomach it!

This sheer-sided gorge drops 61m (200 ft), with the Falls of Measach falling 46m (150 ft).

Rogie Falls, Highlands

2010-05-18T14:23:00.005+01:00

Rogie Falls is in Torrachilty Forest, near Contin, west of Inverness.

I nice woodland trail leads you to the Blackwater River. Following the riverside path, you soon see Rogie Falls. The best view was from the suspension bridge.

Norman's Law, Fife

2010-05-13T19:19:00.006+01:00

A walk up Norman's Law in northern Fife. The hill is 285 m (935 ft).

There were a lot of buzzards flying about and the bluebells were starting to open.

I'm sure this calf is smiling!

View of the Tay bridgesDistant Grampian mountains

View to East and West Lomond from the summit

Bird & Wildlife Watching in the Far North West

2010-05-11T14:16:00.010+01:00

On 5th May we travelled up to the far north west of Scotland, stopping in various locations for some lovely walks. I was very lucky to see some great birds and wildlife.

The day's wildlife watching started as we were driving north along the A9. I spotted an Osprey flying above the River Tay and parallel to the road. A really good view of it.

Next, I spotted a red kite close to the road driving near Muir of Ord, Inverness-shire. Last time I drove along that way I also had a good view of a kite.

We then did a forest walk just north of Contin. I spotted what I thought was a mouse running up the tree, then saw it was a treecreeper. It was just a few feet from me, I quickly got out the camera and would've had a cracking shot of it but I didn't have the right setting on and it wouldn't focus (typical!)... changed the setting, then my dog went over to the tree and the treecreeper moved to a tree further up! So I didn't get my photo.

Once we reached the north west, we found a beautiful spot at Achnahaird and I was able to watch Black-Throated, Red-Throated and Great Northern (a first for me) Divers as well as a couple of Red-Breasted Mergansers. Because we were parked higher than the sea and remained in the car watching, they often came in quite close by.

I forgot my bird guide, though, so had to try and identify what turned out to be the Great Northern Diver from some photos once I got home.

There was also a wheatear and pied wagtail, both of which kept approaching the car.

The following day during a walk in Little Assynt area, I heard my first cuckoos of the year - there were two calling to each other. A flock of geese also flew overhead, close enough to hear their wings beating.

As well as the bird life, there were plenty of Red Deer at dawn as we drove around from 5.30am onwards. I spotted three running across the sand of the bay.

It was a wonderful couple of days.

Some photos - how I wish I had a better zoom though!

Black-Throated Diver

Great Northern Diver

Wheatear

This creature's life seems to be going around in circles!Female and male Red-Breasted Mergansers
Red Deer by the roadside
And running across the bay

Geese flying overhead

All text and photographs copyright Karen Hartnell and may not be reproduced in any way.

Ben Vorlich, Perthshire

2010-05-11T13:52:00.006+01:00

On Friday I hiked up Ben Vorlich in Perthshire. Ben Vorlich is a munro, rising to 985 m (3231 ft), and it's been on my 'To Do' list for a long time, having viewed it from my walks in the Ochil Hills on many occasions. This was my 25th Munro.

My otherhalf hiked this one and it's neighbour, Stuc a Chroin, a few years ago when they were in winter's grip, but I'm glad to say that the snow was now only to be found in a few spots upon the hill. My Labrador was pleased to see a nice patch of snow by the summit as he likes nothing better than rolling in it!

It was a beautiful sunny day, with a keen NE wind. The views were pretty clear, stretching across to Ben Nevis.

Ben Vorlich

Looking across to Ben Lawers

Stob Binnein and Ben MoreLooking up to the summitStanding by the summit trig point looking across to the cairn

Corbie enjoying a roll in the snow, with Stuc a'Chroin behindLooking back towards the trig point Ben Nevis
Spotted this lamb feeding as we neared the end of the walk

Walk in the Evening Sunlight

2010-05-02T20:43:00.006+01:00

Have just been out to take some photos of the lovely evening here - blue sky, sunshine and a hot air balloon passed overhead.

Spring Lambs

2010-04-29T11:12:00.006+01:00

The last few weeks have seen the lambs appear in the fields where I live. I took these photos a couple of weeks ago of the lambs in a field near the house, they were only a few days old.

Swallows Have Returned

2010-04-16T13:32:00.003+01:00

I have just been in the garden and heard not only the buzzards soaring overhead, but the first swallows have returned!

Magnificent Torridon

2010-04-13T11:33:00.007+01:00

Some photos I took driving through the Torridon area on 27 March 2009 enroute to our holiday in Lochalsh. Temperatures were held around freezing when I took these, with fresh snow on the peaks. Just four days later, the snow had more-or-less gone and it peaked at 20 degrees in nearby Gairloch!

Liathach

Beinn Damh (I think)

Close-up of Tom na Gruagaich, by Beinn Alligin

Looking across Upper Loch Torridon to Beinn Alligin hills

Road through beautiful Glen Torridon

How Many Robins?!

2010-04-13T11:25:00.001+01:00

A photo of my friendly robin (foreground), with a couple of visitors - one is far left just below greenery perched on a stone, and the other far right perched by the fence. I've never seen three Robins in the garden at one time before.

As I wasn't sure which one was my Robin, I went out with more bird food and the other two flew away and mine stayed waiting for his fill !

Photos of Birds Spotted

2010-04-13T11:23:00.002+01:00

Photos taken of Buzzards circling above my house recently. There was five in the group in total, although I didn't manage to get them all into a photo.

The Blackbird is a regular feeder, and is getting almost as tame as my Robin. He will usually come and perch on the fence as I put out the food.

The Wren has been busy in the garden too, I regularly spot it.

Loup of Fintry

2010-02-26T15:45:00.005Z

April 2005
Loup of Fintry, near Stirling, is an amazing waterfall on the River Endrick that plunges 90 feet.

Lynedoch Obelisk, Scone

2010-02-22T15:02:00.007Z

On Sunday we walked up to Lynedoch Obelisk (240 metres), which overlooks Scone, Perthshire.

Great views of the Perthshire countryside and snow-capped mountains.

Scone

Perth Aerodrome

The Obelisk

View up the hills to the Obelisk & McDuff Monument

Meall Tairneachan, Perthshire

2010-02-22T13:41:00.011Z

On Saturday I hiked up the Corbett Meall Tairneachan, 787 m (2582 ft), near the Munro Schiehallion in Perthshire.

We drove alongside Loch Tummel and there was plenty of ice on the surface. Mist hung over the loch, but climbed out of it further along the road.

We couldn't have asked for a better day to do this hill. The view of surrounding peaks was amazing, and it wasn't long before we spotted Ben Nevis in the distance! It was as if the whole of Scotland was laid out in a 360 degree view around us. We didn't see another person on the entire walk!

Vintage Snow Tracs

Schiehallion

Ben Nevis appears

Looking back to Schiehallion, and the Nevis mountains to the right

The Beinn a'Ghlo hills

Heading up Meall Tairneachan

Ben Lawers, Perthshire's highest mountain

View taking in Ben Lawers across to Schiehallion

Ben Nevis

Schiehallion and frozen Loch Kinardochy

Glen Affric

2010-02-19T13:38:00.006Z

April 2005
I really must get back to this area, so much to explore. We walked down to the River Affric on a way-marked route. Then alongside the loch, only to find we could cross to return on the opposite side, so had to re-trace our steps and go back the way we came.

On this visit we got mobbed by the local chaffinch population! I remember finding it very amusing upon exiting the Ladies toilet in the car park to find my other half encircled by a large group of chaffinches waiting to see if he would feed them! I put my camera on the ground and tried to get some shots of them (how I wish I had I decent digital camera back then!). Anyway the photos were quite funny.

The River Affric

Peak of Sgurr na Lapaich visible through the Scots pines

The walk wasn't safe from the Chaffinch mob!

Sgurr na Lapaich

Birks of Aberfeldy, Perthshire

2010-02-19T13:31:00.005Z

April 2005
I've been to the Birks of Aberfeldy many times and each time the water flow is different. As I am slowly adding my Scotland photo collection into this blog I will post my other visits on here also.

On this particular occasion the river was in spate, making the Falls of Moness impressive at the head of the walk.

Ben Gullipen, Near Callendar

2010-02-19T13:18:00.005Z

April 2005
First attempt at Ben Gullipen was successful, but the view was obscured by low cloud - this time we had a much better look at the surrounding countryside!

View down Loch Venachar, Ben Ledi on the right

Ben Ledi

Nasty! What awaits you on the summit!

Lochan Balloch & Beinn Dearg

Can just see Callendar on the left of photo

Craigower Hill, Perthshire

2010-02-19T13:02:00.007Z

November 2004
A lovely walk near Pitlochry. Starting close to the golf course near Moulin on the road to Ben Vrackie, the walk crosses the course and then climbs up through coniferous woodland.

Climbing steeper to reach the summit, the effort is well rewarded with a stunning view, taking in Loch Tummel, Schiehallion and, on a clear day, Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe.

There are various corrogated iron sheets lying about for the local adder population.

View of Pitlochry

Schiehallion and Loch Tummel with the hills of Buachaille Etive Mor, etc, in the far distance.

Ben Vrackie

Drove past Edradour Distillary on the way home - Scotland's smallest distillary and producer of a lovely cream liqueur!

Ben Vrackie - Off the Beaten Track

2010-02-19T12:43:00.006Z

May 2005

A selection of photos from a walk we did with a lovely view across to Ben Vrackie. We had hoped to try and get up it from this side, rather than the well-walked path, but there was no clear route through knee-high heather.

Does anyone know what flower this is? It's quite small

View of Stob Binnein, Ben More and Ben Lawers

Loch Tay Photos

2010-02-18T13:46:00.008Z

May 2005
I took a drive to Loch Tay on a lovely summer's day. Nice clear views of Ben Lawers.

It was my Labrador's first trip to the loch, he was only 6 months old at the time, and found a dead fish which he almost managed to roll in!

I never tire of the views of Loch Tay from Kenmore. Our first time in Scotland was a holiday near the shore of the Loch on the southern road, so it holds good memories for us.

Lovely clear waters of the Loch

Snow still hugs the summit of Ben Lawers

View to the Crannog

Geal Charn, Drumochter

2010-02-17T12:30:00.004Z

April 2005
Our second attempt at the Munro Geal Charn, 3008ft (917m), at Drumochter. We didn't bother going to the summit on our first try a couple of weeks previous due to low cloud. I like to have a view from a summit, otherwise what is the point?!

This attempt looked more promising, cloud just touching the highest tops. We walked from Balsporren Cottages by the A9, and up via the track that crept up the flank of neighbouring Creagan Mor.

It was a very hazy day unfortunately, and we struggled to see many of the neighbouring hills but at least the sun was shining!

We headed back down the direct track from Geal Charn, rather than the way we went up.

The start of the walk

My other half ahead of me as usual! Heading across to Geal Charn

Looking down to Ben Alder Lodge and Loch Ericht

At the summit cairn

Elie, Fife

2010-02-16T12:47:00.003Z

February 2004

Photos of a visit to the Fife coastal village of Elie.

View to the lighthouse from the beach

Lady's Tower, once a summerhouse for Lady Janet Anstruther of Elie House

Looking back towards Elie