If You Go Down To The Woods Today...

Well there was no teddy bears picnic, in fact the intent with sunshine and showers forecast was to hopefully shoot a timelapse of a rainbow over the hills. However the rainbow never really fired up and was just shy of where I was hoping it would be. I did get a great timelapse of sheep fervently mowing the field in front of me which looked quit exhausting.

Although I was stomping up through the pathless woodland to my proposed timelapse shooting spot with little thought of stealth, it had rained heavily the night before so the crispy, crunchy leaves were now silent and my progress was pretty quiet compared to other forays to this spot. I did find something rather unexpected though.

As I worked my way around fallen trees with there upended root systems, earth and rocks still clinging on, I saw a movement low in the undergrowth, now I was in stealth mode moving slowly and careful of foot placement not wanting to step on any crackly twigs. To my surprise I saw another movement, a furry coat moving through the greenery; a fox cub.

Camera in hand just in case I saw a Roe Deer, I powered it up and checked the settings and changing the focus point to the smallest available in the hopes of being able to focus through the dense foliage.

It was a struggle to keep focus through the stalks of old bracken and tall grass having to refocus regularly as the wee fellow moved in and around his domain, exploring his new world on this warm sunny afternoon. I crept closer behind the 2 metre or so diameter disc of the root system of the fallen tree to get a little closer, trouble was that I was now in a small dip where the roots of the tree had been and now had to almost stand on tiptoe whilest keeping elbows in and braced to reduce camera shake.

So cute to see this tiny beast first hand and what I failed to notice was that there was a sibling that must have been even closer which came scooting into view and on joining up they booth shot off disappearing under a mass of fallen trees and brambles. That was the last I saw of them and although it had only been a few moments it felt like much longer, at which point I remembered to take a breath.

I returned a number of times since that outing but saw now sign of either of them, but the memory of those few magical moments lives on together with a smile on my face. The timelapse failure?, long forgotten

Walk Slow

I once saw a slogan on a T-Shirt that said, ‘Walk slower and make the world a bigger place’, wise words for a day and age where most are rushing around from one place to another oblivious to their surroundings. Typically I would drive or cycle this road, but even the relatively slow pace of cycling I never realised how much I missed.

Taking a slower pace I started to notice the smaller things that form a part of the eco system of this road, first up this butterfly (Black-veined White).

This bee was certainly working hard and not taking it easy like me, I almost felt guilty.

In the spotlight

Distant views towards Ben Chonzie with its crescent of lingering snow had me yearning for a trip to the hills, but for now the local lanes would have to do. I captured this image while enjoying the warm afternoon sun together with some coffee and a pain au chocolat, I think the ewe was eyeing up my pastry but decided against trying wrestle it away from me.

It was a lovely afternoon that was meant to be about two hours but turned out to be nearly three hours instead, but taking a more leisurely walk I started to notice so much more and greater was the reward.

Go on make the world a bigger place. :)

In The Company of Swans

Out for my exercise walk, which seems to get longer each time; I decided to head for a small stone bridge where often a Heron can be seen on the banks of the river down below. The closer I got the slower I moved and started to crouch lower and lower, not wanting to scare the Heron off. What a passer by in a car thought I dreaded to think, but I didn’t care; I was on a mission.

Slowly I raised my head over the stone wall higher and higher… Hmm, nothing, not a sign of any beast let alone a Heron; all my stealth movements for nought. I was by now close to Kinkell Bridge, another much larger stone bridge and decided to push on to see what I could see.

I spotted a couple of swans, took a couple of shots and picked up the pace seeing some more just near the bridge. By the time I’ made it to the bridge they’d drifted further down the river, I was too late the moment missed. I turned about and headed back the way I’d come heading for home just a little disappointed.

I reached a gate and suddenly noted a path to the riverside that fishermen take, I wriggled through the swing gate and headed over to the river bank crunching on fallen tree branches as I went. I crept closer and closer to the edge of the steep crumbling bank and crouched precariously down as low as I could, not wanting to slip into the river. This was it, the swans were drifting back and forth in this spot almost as if just for me. It was a magical moment in the warm afternoon sun that went on for quite a while and it was only protesting knees at crouching for so long that insisted I stand up and call it a day.

What a magical few moments I had in the company of these swans and I almost started skipping on my way home but for the thought of seeing that motorist again. I think my walks are going to get longer.

Henri Was Right...

The famous French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson said he always carried a camera except when he was shaving, I try to follow these wise words and 99% of the time my camera never leaves the bag. But for once on this occasion it paid off. While walking some local lanes, not something I would normally have done preferring to go to grander outings in the mountains; I was glad I brought my camera and it finally saw some action.

Late afternoon sun illuminates the clouds in the sky leaving the strong outline of this tree in silhouette, in the far off distance the horizon is filled with Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Croin.

This hare was kind enough to give me all of a second for me to realize it was there, drag the camera up and fire off a wild shot before scampering off across the ploughed field. That’s one of the great things about outdoor photography especially when out with no particular plan, you never know what surprises await. Thankyou Henri and I’ll continue to follow your advice.

All Was Still In The Woods...

A short visit to Uath Lochans a couple of weeks ago, what a great place, it took some time waiting for the right conditions, time off, a clear night and no wind.

It was worth the wait though, the night so still and quiet, the only weak link being me and being able to keep going. Eventually fatigue set in and I had to return to my room for the night, err, well the back of my car anyway; I’m sure my back will forgive me soon.

It was worth every moment and look forward to being able to visit in these conditions again. Oh, and that rustle in the trees behind me when taking the night shot, I wasn’t spooked at all…

Like a sheet of polished glass

Clear skies with the glow of Aviemore on the horizon

Gold On Ben Chonzie

Okay, not actual gold but gorgeous early morning sunlight lights up the snow laden face of Ben Chonzie and a rare sighting of the Loch Turret four winged goose…