Galana's Seventh. Lucky numbers.

[xelas]

16 hours ago, Galana said:

NOTE the blue sky and white sand. One does not need photoshop here.

A few more degrees of global warming and the Outer Hebrides will become the new Caribbeans.  or ?

[Zim Girl]

Lovely Corncrake and SE Owl sightings!

[Galana]

Thanks,

Already counted but a few product improvements to set the tone for today.

 

Flew in and posed nicely once I got the blue backcloth in position.

 

Then back to the Eyrie to check on the family, (who were hiding in the nearby scrub.)

 

 

Sychronised swimmers.

 

Some botany

Sea Pink or thrift.

 

And another mammal of the trip.

They dropped by last night on the way to our Lochan for a swim.

Antlers still "in velvet" as they grow for Autumn.

 

 

 

Edited June 12, 2023 by Galana
photos edit.

[TonyQ]

Magnificent Eagle shots-well done

[Galana]

The next few cold be titled

Dear and bit of rough.

 

Couple more repeats first.

 

Now to business.

This little chap posed so nicely so no cropping needed. Just framed the shot and took it. Could not resist.

No Deer ticks just ticks.....

 

276. Black-throated Diver. Shyly turning away from showing the lovely Black throat.

 

277. Golden Eagle. North Uist. You do NOT want to see the first shot as the car screeched to a halt.

 

278. Ruff (Reeve) Loch Fada. Benbecula. I waited in vain for the Phalaropes to perform but got only a quick flyover. First time I have left without a photo,

As the man says.. "I'll be back!"

Wanted a nice ruffed male but had to settle for her next door. A tick is a tick.

 

As is the next one.

I have yet to bother to collect this on Isle of Man (too lazy) so Isle of Benbecular will have to do for now!

 

279. Black Guillimot. "Tystie!". Garaish.

 

Finally the old adage is true.

"In June he changes tune."

Three in harmony "Cuck Kuk OO" If we had five wires I could set it to music.

 

 It takes ages to shop in these blue skies!

 

Went up to the Borve Machair today but ruined by uncaring people. Flowers just coming good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Galana]

Tuesday evening was a bit of a blank. Saw a couple of Owls and was taking a snap or two of the latter one when a blast of motor horn drew my attention to the fact I was not fully off the road. I gestured with my fingers raised to ask for five minutes, well I don't count so well with my left hand so cannot guarantee I had five fingers raised. Let him passed the Owl flew and I followed him. I knew the car was from a neighborouging cottage so it may have looked like I was tailing him to exchange words of polite advice. He took off at speed but when we got to his rented cottage, which was on the same farm track as mine he was so quick ot of the car and into his yard he tripped and tore his pants.in his rush to get indoors. I just tooted my respects for a peaceful evening and kept on.

 

Yesterday we went back for the Phalaropes but again only got partial sightings as the nest site has moved. First time I have dipped on these birds.

 

I was entertained by numerous Redshanks including this couple.

I can think of a few captions. Any offers?

 

Last night up the hill I had a nice half hour session with another friendly S.E.Owl.

In th end it was me that moved on as I think she had fallen asleep.

 

Apart from tat I got some poor shots of Twite, (280)

 

And aSkyLark having a dust bath before bed time.

Let me see what today will bring. Langass area for lunch. It's all go!

 

 

 

[pedro maia]

Nice owls!!

[Soukous]

2 hours ago, Galana said:

Yesterday we went back for the Phalaropes but again only got partial sightings as the nest site has moved.

 

to somewhere else on Fada or to a different water body?

[TonyQ]

Lovely to see the Short-eared Owl

[Galana]

7 hours ago, Soukous said:

to somewhere else on Fada

Correct. Just a few hundred yards but enough to make a difference to the viewing.

 

Time for some ID ??

Lots of folk get hung up on the white face of female Tufties and cry Scaup.

I offer a pair of Tufties that posed nicely last evening outside my window.

Look at the bill of the female and compare with Scaup.

 

Back soon with today in the studio.

 

[Galana]

Today we moved the studio props to a friends Lily pond and this is what we found was stealing his goldfish.

 

Maybe a bit overcropped but otherwise OK.

And the local swallows at Lochside have now fledged too.

Last day on North Uist tomorrow.

Shall not go far and then top off my fuel tank with E5 for the rundown to Kilmartin.

We need to plan fuel stops but it ain't as bad as those so called Eco cars. We do get 400+ miles to a tankfull and can top up in 10 minutes.

 

 

 

 

[PeterHG]

Great photos of the SE Owl and the diver,

[Galana]

@PeterHG

Thanks. It is the studio blue backcloth that is helping/

Look at my swallows taken while we had lunch outside the cabin today. (Lady G has taken lunch in the open air less times in 60 years that I have fingers on my hands.)

When I post todays you will see what else was outside the cabin as we finished breakfast.

[Galana]

This morning as I left the cabin I heard the 'avian defence force' hard at work.

Wow! There was a White-tailed Eagle perched on a rock just up the hillside getting mobbed whilst some sheep looked on.

No commentary needed.

And the day was just beginning.

Watched some more Owls up on Comittee road but nothing special.

Returned for a cold beer, Skye Gold, as we have to clear the fridge tonight (great excuse!)

After filling up the car, packing and dinner we plan a last trip up the nearby track later in the evening.

 

Went well.

Probably our last SE Owls of this trip so here she is.

My trip is not over. We drive to Kilmartin tomorrow so who knows what else awaits in our final three days? Mammals for a start.

[Soukous]

On 6/15/2023 at 8:44 PM, Galana said:

Today we moved the studio props to a friends Lily pond and this is what we found was stealing his goldfish.

 

You know, sometimes I think I should not bother planning my own excursions but simply follow you around. You have great good fortune with Divers. 

[Galana]

10 hours ago, Soukous said:

simply follow you around.

Are you old enough to remember Mai Zetterling in 'only two can play"?

Catch line "I will leave a trail"

Joking apart. I do have a certain amount of luck.

 

Remember the black T on Loch Cluanie on the drive from Skye?

Well they were there again today so I thought of both @TonyQand you when I took these.

Not the best but the picnickers were out in force.

 

Now in Kilmartin and waiting to add another mammal.

So far so good.

No new birds today but thinking of yesterdays batch of Owls,, I DO like the second set where perched on Heather. Such a more natural setting that the regular fence post I think.

Might frame it.

 

It actually rained this pm as we walked to the pub.

 

[TonyQ]

Your posts bring back a lot of good memories for us as well @Galana

The Owl is very frameable

[Galana]

Thanks @TonyQI may try it.

 

Today I saw a diferent squirrel. This one had tufts even though the right hand one had been chewed.

 

 

I waited up last night for the Pine Marten to appear but I fell asleep on the job. (Had been up since 04.00 to catch the ferry (and the Merlot at dinner was very soothing.)

But all was not lost. He joined us at Breakfast.

Corncrakes and Cornflakes   v Martens with the Marmalade??

 

He was so obliging I took some portraits.

Five should do it.

 

The female did not show up but her Kits are not yet ready to debut so she keeps them close to home.

 

Better mention that I DID see some birds today too.

 

 

[Soukous]

On 6/17/2023 at 8:35 PM, Galana said:

Remember the black T on Loch Cluanie on the drive from Skye?

Well they were there again today so I thought of both @TonyQand you when I took these.

 

Good to know they are still there, although I'd far rather a closer sighting, like the fishpond. 

[Galana]

5 hours ago, Soukous said:

I'd far rather a closer sighting, like the fishpond. 

Well I better work out a trip for you. Got any spare change?

 

Overnight heavy rain prevented any nocturnal visits from the Martens (at least during my waking duty hours although they had been when I checked this morning. Oh well. Try again tonight. The rain has stopped.

 

Today we did not venture far and saw little new for BY apart from some busy House Martins picking up nest material by the Crinan Canal.

So I will add in the Coal Tits for makeweight to keep the meter running.

 

281. Coal Tit.  Dunchraigaig House, Kilmartin, Argyll.

 

282. House Martin. Cairnbaan Locks, Crinan canal. Argyll.

 

Home now to pack for the trip home.   Could not get any E5 as 'they have run out', (Ba$tard$)can't even keep deliveries running. These are the companies enrusted with the Nation's fuel supplies. Happy to send our forces to free up THEIR property but when it comes to delivery to the taxpayer they are not to be trusted with the church collection plate.

Not stranded so should be home Wednesday given a fair wind. Another wonderful trip done for the year.

 

[Kitsafari]

so jealous of the SEO-fest. but wonderful photos!

[Peter Connan]

2 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

so jealous of the SEO-fest. but wonderful photos!

 

and of that super-obliging Marten!

[pedro maia]

That was a great trip, lots of cool birds and also some nice mammals.

[Dave Williams]

The trip seems to be blessed with excellent sightings although your Coal Tit is a Great Tit!!!

[Galana]

@Dave WilliamsFoxy is probably correct as I had lots of both around. I will hunt out a better image later.

Just back home this morning and domestic catch up in progress. Mainly throwing out all the pile of junk mail catalogues that just won't stop coming. Worried that the generous responses to our begging letters seem to be drying up.

As noted we spent yesterday driving south from Kilmartin (should be renamed Kilmarten in honour of the friendly neighbours Kil prefix is OK as  it iks from Keil, meaning Chapel.)

The neighbours gathered to bid us farewell.

This is not 'Tufty' but Cyril.

 

Junior looks well in his red cap.

Mum looks harassed as usual.

 

The drive down was in good weather until we crossed the border into England when it spotted with rains.

Nevertheless we stopped off at Cumbria Wildlife Foulshaw Moss but whilst the target bird of Water Rail failed to appear I did get a good candidate for EBC of the year.

 

Whilst seeking the Rail to appear at the feeders I did get a new tick for my troubles.

Some of our continental friends may query the split but I am ambivalent.

283. Lesser Redpoll.  Carduellis cabaret.  Foulshaw Moss.

Then a decent meal before arriving in Heysham Port to board the Ben my Chree for the 02.00 sailing over to Douglas where we awoke at 05.30, after a comfortable sleep in our cabin, to drive off and the final 16 miles home. The sun was well risen by then as it is of course the solstice.

"Birded out" for now but more to come both on and off the island.