West coast excursion

After Dingwall and watching the geese we headed west through the mountains towards Gruinard Bay.  Our first major stop was at the top end of Little Loch Broom, by which time the snow had begun to arrive in flurries, views of Golden Plover, Turnstones etc  before we headed along the coast where we had five White-tailed Eagles in the sky at once. At Little Gruinard we had lunch in a lay-by and splendid views of the mountains and a distant Golden Eagle before heading along the coast to Gairloch and the harbour for great views of a very obliging Great-northern Diver. A snowy drive home via the lowest altitude route within reason!

Dundonnell - top end of Loch Broom....and below.

White-tailed Eagle.

A snowy sky looking north along the coast.

Cold!

An Teallach.

View from Gairloch Harbour.

Great Northern Diver.

Clear waters.

Sunset.

Dingwall Geese

An early start to see the spectacle of thousands of geese (Pink-feet and a few Greylag) flying into the stubble field at Dingwall....including a Snow Goose and some Whooper Swans.  Quite impresive!

Geese and gulls with Whooper Swans.

Whooper Swans.

Mainly Pink-feet.

Spot the Snow Goose ..and below. 

Snow Buntings

Snow Buntings at the ski station carpark at Aviemore....looking it up the collective noun is apparently a drift of snow finches...personal I think it should be a flurry, or maybe a drift when they are on the ground and a flurry when landing or taking off in a large group.

...above a drift of Snow Buntings and below ..a flurry.

Snow and buntings

A mixed day began with a couple of stops at bird feeders in the hope of seeing Crested-tits. They were heard but not seen, but the often over-looked Coal Tits put on a good show! 

Next a walk through some lovely pine forest, including a very atmospheric snow storm, with lovely Usnea lichens.

Some quite vicious snow....

Calm and tranquil...

..and then a beautiful light.

After lunch and views of  a White-tailed Eagle and Hen Harrier, we made our way to the carpark at the ski station in Aviemore where the promised flock of Snow Buntings availed themselves ...

I, obviously, took far to many photogrpahs of the Snow Buntings....see the next blog!

Loch Garten: a quick stop

A quick stop before arriving at Nethy Bridge for our holiday...this was the first time we had booked a guided holiday - focussing on birds. We know nothing of the area really, so it will be good to be shown around, so we can then visit again to explore further the areas we particularly like. 

Siskins....just outside Aviemore.

Trying to hide.....

Loch Garten....and below.

Plenty of Coal Tits.

Capercaille ...fingers crossed for later on! 

Lovely woodland...

Setting sun....

 

Ice textile ideas (II)

Following last night's post about some textile experiments, I did indeed cut up one of the samples and dip the pieces into a wax pot - I really like the results - ' just need to think what to do with them now! 

The sample I cut up.

The results....and below - in detail...