Eric & Lesley's Wildlife Blog - Wildscotphotos

A Covert Sighting

11/2/2019

Its a no-brainer that birds have different strategies for survival. The Treecreeper has a pretty extreme strategy - it tries not to get noticed any time, any place. It does this by living in a woodland where it mimics a bit of branch. In going for the invisible option , even it's call cannot be heard by some older humans and is pretty faint at the best time. The rest of the time it imitates a bit of tree branch which is does expertly.
In winter they can be attracted to food - either something oily on a branch or even on the ground. With repeated visits they can be more accommodating and stay longer. Such was the case yesterday with this confiding individual.

Hare Today

26/1/2019

I don't really make New Years resolutions as regards wildlife photography - the target species are the same as the last ten years. I'm too embarrassed to state the species but a little progress has been made on all three. None are rare but all difficult in different ways.
Anyway, this year I have resolved to spend quite a bit of time on the local mammals. Brown Hare will hopefully feature and I expect that the best results will be in a couple of months time. I was therefore so pleased to be able to settle fairly close to this Hare and wait. After not too long it stirred and had a good stretch before cantering about and then settling down again. Result all round.

The King

14/1/2019

I know its a bit presbyterian but I like to work hard at getting pictures. I assume that I will have hardship - long waits in cold or rather hot conditions with much frustration along the way. That's usually the case but not always.
Occasionally a subject doesn't follow the script. This kingfisher has been much admired by regular walkers, families with children and the like. For some, it is probably the first kingfisher they have ever seen and for others the previous sighting would have been the famous blue streak.
I am wary of situations with other keen photographers but I need not have worried. Not too many turned up and everyone left satisfied with their views of this male who performed for everyone, regularly catching sticklebacks in front of our eyes in a decidedly urban setting.

Hebrides for Otter

30/12/2018

Last week we had a little adventure, visiting the inner Hebrides for some R & R and to be in a more remote and wilder countryside for Christmas. Mostly we drove around to see what we fouls find. In the event there was lots to enjoy from Eagles to three species of diver, to the thousands of yelping geese, Barnacle and White-fronted. Then there were the Deer, Red and Roe.
The undoubted highlight came with the three sightings of Otter although each was in fairly poor light. Today's equipment can deal with that situation much better then the equipment of yester year. Time spent watching Otter is always quality time. This one caught crabs, otherwise drifted along the shoreline investigating each kelp bed for tasty morsels.

Consequences

14/12/2018

Birds don't all make the same decisions. This seems trivial but can have mortal consequences. This Mistle Thrush has been basically living in the same tree for some time. It intends to stay for another month or two or until the berries are gone. It defends the bush from all comers, in particular other thrushes. It has made a decision and, as a result, is forced to endure the fact that it is an urban area. Humankind pass by close and cars too, honking their horns and such like. It must be stoic and stay put.
We heard about a different Mistle Thrush defending a berry bush in a similar situation. One day, the Sparrowhawk came along and killed it. The berries disappeared within two days from the Blackbirds.

Grey Geese

29/11/2018

We are currently in a run of poor weather. I can even hear the rain and the wind outside as I write. Going outside for the past couple of weeks has meant mainly topping up feeders and getting back in the car. Hopefully we will have something to show for our efforts in due course although the forecast is for more of the same.
At my local Reserve winter always bring in Greylag Geese. Pinkfeet Geese are more prized just as Whooper Swans are more prized than Mute. They are just wilder and more challenging, their lives more exciting and precarious. Still a flock of honking Greylags winging their way down to the loch are impressive enough so we went with what was on offer.

Bogey Bird

10/11/2018

We all have a bogey bird - one that we feel we should have seen better, or more often, or in better circumstances. The Sparrowhawk is one for me. Not having a feeding station at home I have only rarely seen one there. My feeding stations in the countryside seems not to attract them or, if at all, rarely.
Today I had a break. In the car I saw one flying low and settling on a post. Before I could get my gear into place two cars came the other way whilst the bird remained. I then approached slowly and enjoyed the male Sparrowhawk for some time. Another car came approaching from the other direction; by this time I was nearly off road and the car approached to ask if I was all right. Yes, it was my day, made by a beautiful bird.

October 30th, 2018

30/10/2018

When we think of Deer locally we think about Red and Roe Deer. In the right places they can be found. Neither is easy to get close to for photography but that's the challenge and I welcome that.
However, there's another deer to seek out - the Fallow Deer. There's a population close by. As with the Red Deer, October is an important month for rutting. You can often hear them before seeing them. In other areas, notably in England, selective breeding has promoted the pale form of Fallow Deer which is most attractive but in unmananged populations a darker form will predominate.
It was not possible or advisable to approach during the rut so I waited close to the woodland edge and was rewarded by a sighting of this youngster.

Birds do the Funniest Things

14/10/2018

Early on during our Namibia trip we undertook a pelagic at Walvis Bay. There are a few boats of various sizes that do this. Naturally ours was the smallest. That said, there was no noticeable swell and the provided lunch was just the job.
Over time, the operators have begun by taking people to see the Fur Seals which are interesting and quite attractive. Lately they have managed to get Jackals to come to fish bait. That was a real surprise.
However the real fish fanciers are the Pelicans. They have learnt that fish is available to they get in on the act. You might think they are clumsy. No so, the they can catch fish in the air no bother. Nowadays they also land on the boats to "encourage" the fish production line. Yes, they are almost cute. My strategy was to stick close to the fish thrower and got some pleasing pictures.

Namibia Goodies

30/9/2018

We are not long returned from Namibia where we had a great time. Lots of birds, antelopes and we encountered quite a few cats; Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs despite it being the dry season.
The biggest thrill of all was when we encountered the little desert critters - Lizards, Snakes, a Chameleon and this Gecko, the nocturnal Web-footed Gecko. During the day they are normally hidden in the sand but our guide recognised the distinctive pattern in the sand. The beautiful creature was returned unharmed to the burrow once it was roundly admired by all present.