Wildscotphotos - Eric & Lesley's Wildlife Blog

Wrecked

17/9/2021

Traditionally our Auks (Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins) disperse from their breeding grounds in late July and early August each year. Some stay fairly inshore but many travel into the North Sea to find food which is generally plentiful.
Not so this year. Many have been washed up and other "wrecked" to inland waterways and rivers. This is not at all usual Here is a Guillemot which was photographed recently in the upper Forth. It was one of many. Many others have been washed up dead on our coast. Preliminary analysis shows that that have not been diseased. Worrying times.

Perthshire Open Studios 2021

9/9/2021

This week is a bit different from usual. Instead of taking pictures we are marketing them through the local Perthshire Open Studios.
It is a particularly difficult time for all with Covid still a major concern for all. Still we are in Crieff at the Strathearn arts Centre with half a dozen other selling various crafts such as wood turning, glass making and fabrics. Visitors must wear masks and we have plenty of ventilation. That would have been challenging should we have run the event in, say, November.
We are just past halfway, finishing on Sept. 12th having sold quite a variety of our items - framed prints, Greetings Cards, Calendars and coasters. Here's hoping for more visitors.
See https://www.perthshireopenstudios.com/user/ericmc/

A Little More from Down South

13/8/2021

Continuing from last theme, another picture from "down South", this time a Little Owl.
Little Owl is, in many ways, a controversial species since it was originally introduced to Britain. I don't think anyone would like it eliminated but it makes it more difficult to pursue the general theme of eliminating alien species. It is however, also present in New Zealand where it may be eventually culled.
This is an adult bird, likely a female, since there were two Little Owlets close by but no other adult. It nested in a fruit farm so was quite used to the comings and going of human traffic and their vehicles. It was pretty chilled.
Since I am unlikely to see one close to my home this was a thrill just enjoying that stern gaze.

The Return of Ratty

31/7/2021

Travel is still fraught with stress at the moment but when I was invited to join a friend who lives in SE England I took up the offer of "getting away". I'm glad I did.
The insect fauna was quite different from what I usually see. For example the Hoverflies; I ended up ordering the Hoverflies of Britain to try to photograph then identify more of them. However, our main targets were a bird, Little Owl, and a mammal, Water Vole. The vole seems to making a bit of a comeback so we were delighted to be able to view at a private pond. Due to fluctuating water levels they were not as predictable as hoped (when is wildlife?). Through a fair bit of patience I was able to secure a selection of pictures of this, most charming, indigenous mammal.

Butterfly Time

8/7/2021

It's July now and the birds are off the menu. They have no reason to show themselves unless they have a second brood. The vegetation is as high as an elephant's eye. Insects are the order of the day.
Technically there's a challenge that comes with insects. Because they are so small there's little depth of field. Sometimes that's a good thing - a long telephoto exploits that fact. However with macro you have difficulty in getting even the whole insect in focus. With butterflies that results in two styles of picture. Top view or side view. In this way the whole subject is in the same plane. This is a Northern Brown Argus, a local species. The subject has chosen to offer me the side view.

On Reflection

30/6/2021

Sometimes I take pictures and sometimes I make pictures. I have set up a little reflection pool. Small, yes, but quite a lot of work to put it together. The longer that we have a dry spell the more it will attract wildlife to drink and bathe. Seed-eating birds like Finches need to drink regularly so there must be enough puddle to keep then going. So far it has been fairly quiet, just Chaffinch and the odd Siskin.
Jay and Great Spotted Woodpecker are fairly regular visitors. I have had one visit from a young Woodpecker but this is the male having a good drink.

The Joy of Terns

15/6/2021

We have just returned from a trip to the far North East of Scotland. (Foreign trips are currently suspended.) There was much to enjoy.
The seabird cities of the north coast were alive with noise and the joy and the smell of the breeding season. As far as I could tell food for chicks was not a problem here.
Since I like to work from hides it was great to be able to photograph Arctic, Common and Sandwich Terns from the safety of hides. In the case of the Arctics it was my safety!
This is a Sandwich Tern returning to the colony. Birds in the flight are so much easier now with modern kit. I often say that it is only the kit that is improving. A tiny bit self-deprecating since I believe that it it is what you carry in your head that makes the difference.

Dotterel Encounter

30/5/2021

Some birds need a special approach. Dotterel is one to point. They winter in North Africa then return to our shores in May. Shores is not really accurate since they are a plover of high ground. They migrate through traditional lower hills before getting to the high tops.
It is said that they are very approachable. My take is that this is not the whole story. Care must be taken.
Dotterel are what is called Schedule 1 which means that it is an offence to disturb them near to the nest or when they have dependent young. For that reason, I simply leave them alone. I only look for them when they first arrive. Over the years I have noted that I see them more often on wet Springs. I believe the reason is that the wetness produces food for them. In dry Springs they move through quickly to find food elsewhere. The picture opposite is the brighter, more marked female bird.

New Technology

13/5/2021

Camera equipment is developing all the time and I am happy to take advantage. Quicker focus, tracking and the ability to take lots of images in a scattergun approach to get a result are all on the table.
I was by the river and watching the Sand Martins flying around. I guessed that they were feeding but I could not see any prey.
I decided to have a go and banged away with motor drive, frame after frame. Back at base there was much to throw away but I struck lucky with this images. Not only was the Sand Martin in reasonable focus but I could also see a fly just ahead. No doubt it was about to be eaten.

Badger Watch

25/4/2021

Another season begins so I have checked out the Badger sett. It looks like it is still active. I never want to assume all is well. This year I have begun earlier in the hope of seeing youngsters, especially if they are playful and confiding. Who wouldn't?
Starting earlier has brought a bonus. My woodland is dominated by Beech trees, however they have not yet leafed up so the penetration of light into the woodland is better at the moment. Later in the year I will be aware that, at a session end, the light levels raise significantly when exiting the woodland and the green canopy. At the moment I still have enough light until about 10 minutes after dusk. Its a huge advantage when you only want to shoot with available light.
I'm excited to see what 2021 will bring. Roll on.