Fogey

A lesson in Macro photography - truly! Amazing photos.

Ah! I see - thank you for that............you learn something new every day. Cracking image BTW.

So explain to me what I'm seeing, Paul. Is that brown thing on its back a food source, camouflage or just part of being a nymph.

I just love this. Moody and dramatic indeed.

My next port of call was Wick, right at the top of Scotland. I had hoped that driving up the coast would give way to some nice seascapes, but the weather had really closed in and I drove up in very heavy fog. When I got to Wick the rain set in with a vengeance and I managed just the one photograph. Wick harbour.

As the weather was closing in I returned to the hotel in Inverness.

There are so many facets to this holiday Clicker, I have mixed feelings. I think I'll deal with it from stop to stop, so, although some of the images will have already been shown, there will be some consistency. The overriding irritation over the three weeks was Covid and how it was screwing up my perceived expectations and many times I had to take a deep breath and re-evaluate my position. For example, all wildlife hides had to be pre-booked as there were limits on how many people could be accommodated at any one time and I didn't see one instance of this on any website. Also there was no information on nesting sites for Osprey, Golden Eagles et al. So bearing this in mind, When I stopped at Inverness, I visited Loch Garten Nature Reserve in the Cairngorms as their website mentioned breeding pairs of Ospreys, only to find they weren't breeding there this year. I did wander around in the hope of seeing Red squirrels, but was disappointed as there wasn't a squirrel in site. After some four hours, I decided to go for a drive. These are some of the scenes I encountered. Loch Garten Loch Pityoulish I did keep my eye open for fly fishermen, but didn't see one. River Spey. Strathspey Steam Railway

I have been asked to choose this weeks POTW and I must confess to finding this task difficult. There have been a plethora of macro shots this week that are technically superb, pin sharp with an amazing amount of detail. JohnP's Marmalade Hoverfly in particular took my eye. There was also Ryewolf's Loco 41241, always a firm favourite of mine. However, another photograph really grabbed my attention for its quiet, understated beauty. The author really has a knack of delivering that dreamy look, demonstrated with these Peruvian lilies in her post 'Up Close and Personal'. So congratulations Clicker, on another stunning POTW

Some more panos. The mountain left of frame in the distance is Ben Hope. Another anonymous Lochside scene.

Well You did ask, Clicker. The view from Applecross' summit..... No Idea where this is.......I was totally lost when I took this. Some really moody mountains approaching Western Highlands A place to live.

Congratulations, Paul - a cracking image. Well chosen, Polly.

You have put into words what I have been struggling to express for three weeks, Polly. As for the skies............they can change the ambience from welcoming to foreboding in an instant.

All the best for the 6th Dee. I dunno Gal - the lengths you'll go to to get groped by a lot of men.

Did you know that slugs just looove salt with their food, Polly?

A lovely, colourful set, Colin. I'm guessing from the photos it was a tad windy?

Breath taking scenery.

Takes me back to the days when I was enrolled in the Air Training Corp. That first time watching the Earth replace the sky as you rolled over will never be forgotten. Great shot and video.

Thank you both. I was beginning to despair - I searched for three weeks without a sign of a Red Squirrel, then on the last day twelve show up.............. a bit like buses.

Taken at Aberfoyle

A Red Kite flipping over for the stoop at The Red Kite Centre, Doune.

Everywhere I looked, there was a landscape worth capturing. Breathtaking scenery. Glen Etive

I went to visit Castle Tioram to photograph Seals and Otters. All I saw was hordes of tourists. It's true what I read a few days ago.............. The collective noun for people is 'a plague'. However, on the way back I came across this scene.

a shot of a Grey Heron

I think they are regarded as the clowns of the seabirds, because of the antics they get up to.

Thank you. I think their breeding season is between May and early August, John.