Tawny Owl
The Tawny Owl is one of the most common birds of prey in Britain.
I just could not resist making an image of this little chap. But don’t be fooled in by the cute appearance. Tawny Owls are silent efficient killers which hunt their prey during the hours of darkness.
For more information http://www.newforestexplorersguide.co.uk/sitefolders/wildlife/birds/tawny/tawnypage.html
Eilean Donan Castle
One of the most photographed castles in the world, Eilean Donan Castle can be found on the road to Kyle of Lochalsh; where Loch Alsh, Loch Duich and Loch Long combine.
The historical beginnings of Eilean Donan are believed to date back as early as the 7th century AD, at a time when Christianity was just being introduced in this area of Scotland. Details can be found at http://www.eileandonancastle.com/home.htm
This famous castle features in a number of Hollywood movies. The ones that come to mind are “Highlander” in 1986, with Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErjCcqKzr0k and more recently, in 2008, “Made of Honor” with Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E72ZeWEMP90
Today the castle is a beautiful, historical and romantic setting, owned by the Conchara Charitable Trust. It is open to the public during the months of March to October. It is also a popular wedding venue.
Eilean Donan Castle
Landing Bee – Summer 2011
It took me ages to capture this one. Unfortunately bees do not fly in a predictable flight path and are constantly “buzzing” in and out behind the flower heads.
So again I just had to wait for one to pass in front of the camera viewfinder to capture it.
Landing Bee
One of my few attempts at “macro” …. exposure settings – iso400, t1600, f4.o (subject distance 0.4m, lens focal length 105mm)
Reflections of Bruges
I visited Bruges with a small group of work colleagues, about 18 months ago.
This beautiful walled city is located in the Flanders region of Belgium. It is often called the “Venice of the North” as a canal encircles the city. For a modest sum of money, you can take a boat tour which passes through some very picturesque areas.
If you are a chocoholic, like me, you will of course want to sample the famous Belgian chocolates. I brought home about 4 Kgs of the addictive confectionary and managed to eat them within a few weeks. (I did, of course share a few with my family)
The image below is known as Canal Rozenhoedkaai and shows the Belfry of Bruges (bell tower) illuminated in he background.
Reflections of Bruges
Image captured at 22.35 on a July summer evening (hand-held, leaning against a post for support, with image stabliser on, at iso800, f8 / 0.8s)
Rooftop Sunset
This image, captured last year, is a view through the skylight window in my attic.
The mixture of deep reds, yellow and blue along with the dark “threatening” tones convey a sense of anger in the sky.
Rooftop Sunset
Rusty Old Bicycle
While travelling through Glen Etive, in the Scottish Highlands, during a field photography trip, in autumn 2010, we came across this old rusty bicycle, leaning against an old locked shed. (probably set up for us “budding photographers”)
Apart from the quaint appearance of the rusty old fashioned bicycle, the “bleached” wood on the shed had the appearance of having been neglected for many years. It did however have some very interesting textures that I have tried to bring this out in this image.
I hope you like it.
Locked Out
Swans’ Mating Ritual
The image shows a cob and pen “walking/treading water” after mating.
Swans' Mating Ritual
Adult Swan
This image was taken at the pond, in my local park yesterday, where a family of swans have made their home.
A beautiful majestic creature, don’t you think?
"I ate a fish this big"
Male Pheasant
I chased this pheasant around for some time, in Glen Nevis, at Fort William back in November 2011. It obviously didn’t want to be photographed.
I hid behind a tree and waited. I finally got the shot I was wanting.
Male Pheasant
Edinburgh Fringe 2011 – Photography
Shakespeare at the Fringe
The Edinburgh Fringe is world’s largest Arts Festival, held annually in Edinburgh during August. In 2011 there were around 2,500 performances over 25 days.
It is a Festival predominantly for the performing arts, where theatre and comedy are the main ingredients.
Among the wide variety of shows, this year, there were productions based on Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and “Hamlet” and pantomime based shows like Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland and Red Riding Hood. There were also a wide range of more “modern” productions.
While these shows are performed at various venues in Edinburgh, the public get the opportunity to see a preview of some of the productions, in various locations, centred in the Royal Mile, on the streets of the Scottish capital.
This is an excellent opportunity to get a “taste” of the shows on offer and gives me, the opportunity to make images of some of the performers amusing, comical, horrific and unusual expressions
Here is a small selection of my images from the Fringe 2011. (Click the image above to see the all of the images)
Scottish Landscape Photos – Jim Reid
Stob Dearg - Autumn Sunrise
Hi – A few Scottish landscape photos for your comments.
Please click the image to see this image full size. Other landscape images are also available
And before anyone asks; yes I did get out of bed at at 5.30 am on a wet November morning to photograph Stob Dearg – Autumn Sunrise.
I think I made the right decision here. What do you think?
jimreidphoto 