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Glen Tanar. Aberdeenshire

Occasionally I do a blog of something 'off island' and this is one of those (but you will note its still in Scotland).  I recently stayed at Glen Tanar in Aberdeenshire, a small estate tucked nicely into the Royal Deeside area and another haven for wildlife (Eagles, Osprey, Black Grouse, Deer).
Like Arran there is plenty of walking around on mixed low and high level paths, and it has to be said that even in May there was snow on the tops.  But I was here for a bit of R & R, so didn't plan any major mountain excursions.
Wandering around the many marked and easy going paths I came across this little building which I nick-named the Gnome house (for no reason whatsoever).  At the side of the 'Water of Tanar' I could see it had been some type of pump, fallen into disrepair.  A conversation or two later and I understand it was a turbine that helped provide the power for the little church nearby (Chapel of St. Lesmo) and the organ.
I decided to take an evening land rover safari through the Estate, escorted by Mike the Ranger and we bumped and climbed up forest tracks, through some amazing woodland and ancient forest.  The deer frequently skirted our path and cross the track - always scampering away as soon as the camera got anywhere near.
Not that I expected to get any great images going out in drizzle as the light was fading.  But that tends to be when wildlife is quite active and I was really wanting to scout the area for future visits.
The Osprey nest (seriously cropped image using a 400mm lens) was visible in the distance with 'mum' low down on the eggs.  We keep our distance so as not to disturb this fabulous bird at such a crucial time of breeding.

Every time I asked to stop, Mike obliged and I took the odd snap to try to capture the quiet feel of the evening as the temperatures dropped and light faded.
And a surprise hamper appeared with some biscuits made by 'Liz' and lots of hot coffee before we moved on.  Beats my old camping stove that I use for my clients - think I may have to upgrade!
But the night drew in and we managed to have a quick look at a few spots before returning back to the main Estate. Including a little spot called the 'traveller's rest'. A small area, where there are stones to sit on and little carvings in the rocks (a feature across the estate to be looked out for). And as you can imagine it was placed at a point just after a steep section of track (depending on whether you were going up or down).

I found the Estate peaceful and welcoming, I will be going back.  And for anyone looking for a big wedding venue (over 100) just look at where they hold the ceremony (Ballroom).

Posted by Arran in Focus at 13:06 2 comments: Labels: eagle, glen tanar, landrover safari, osprey, royal deeside, scotland, scottish wedding, visit scotland, wildlife

Friday, 23 May 2014

Doubles (Day 123 - 133)

Another 10 days has passed me by and I have to admit with the exception of a couple of photographs I'm posting some rather substandard efforts! I seem to have see-sawed from great opportunity to chasing my tail and forgetting - I also committed the cardinal sin of running out of battery, fortunately not whilst on a job! But why doubles? Well there are two pictures of students at work, 2 vintage subjects, 2 sick animals, 2 birds in hand, 2 floral subjects and 2 large lumps of metal. And all this by chance!
Some of the blossom on the trees is stunning at the moment and I'm just waiting for the storm that will bring it all crashing down.  But its not just tree blossom, all the lovely spring and summer flowers are blooming and the road verges look fabulous with pinks and blues up the bankings.
These two fabulous cars were parked outside the Machrie Bay Tearoom and I grabbed the opportunity to get a few snaps (more on my facebook page). I admire the hours it must take to keep them in such pristine condition. Car washing and waxing is something that I only do when absolutely necessary (actually I should just say washing here, as I can say I've ever waxed my car!)
The fern is putting out its shoots which I think look like feelers exploring the air.  This really was a shot of desperation as I rushed around checking a site for a lesson, before taking students out, and juggling too many balls in the air this week.
Site and exercises scoped yesterday and the students are hard at it.  Lots of competing light with lovely sunshine and harsh shadows. But I got to play on the rope swing so that they could practice fast and slow shutter speeds - and this is work?
An old expanding camera, as far as I know not working.  But what an amazing bit of kit.  I'm intended to put it into my studio and set off to paint a shelf.  But didn't get very far as although I have the paint I don't have a brush!  another item added to my mainland shopping list!

Bowser has a bad back and hips, he's only 4 so forgets sometimes that he can't or shouldn't jump.  On Saturday he was in severe pain and had to be rushed to the vets.  It's horrible to see a pet in such pain and I really wasn't sure I would be bringing him home.  But a strong injection that made him very drowsy and 12 hours sleep on the settee and he started to improve a little.  More painkillers have followed and finally he is improving again.
This little siskin I picked out of the bird feeder tray when it was lashing it down with rain and it was clearly not well.  It let me pick it up without any struggle and for the second time this weekend I felt pessimistic about its chances.  But I put it in a box, with food and warmth and sure enough it perked up enough for me to release it a couple of hours later.
The pheasant breeding that I'm following is going well and the chicks are hatching and moving from hatchery into special pens that have heat and humidity controlled.  Unfortunately the heat and humidity attract midges so I didn't hang around too long.
Another day another workshop.  A half day session with a miserable forecast turned into a lovely sunny afternoon.  We covered landscapes, close up work and waterfalls, not to mention some wildlife.
On full day tours I take out the camping stove and we stop for a brew and lunch along the way.  While the kettle boils we take the opportunity to photo the landscape and birds in the area. On this occasion a tractor pulled in for a quick stop and I grabbed a snap.
It wasn't on my plan for this year but a huge electric bill made me realise I mustn't use the central heating quite so much.  So I opted for a wood burning stove to be fitted - can't wait to try it out but apparently I have to wait a couple of days for the cement to set.  I'm sure its going to be toasty in my house next winter.
Posted by Arran in Focus at 08:30 4 comments: Labels: arran, black & white, photography project, tractor, vintage


Black Grouse Lek

I'd heard about Black Grouse and the breeding Lek many times and seen snippets on the TV, and of course I could immerse myself in the well documented display, any time just by looking at You Tube, but it's just not the same as seeing it first hand. By chance I was looking for a couple of days away and came across a mention (Twitter) of Black Grouse on the Glen Tanar Estate, along with the availability of hides.
So a quick phone call and I'd booked a cottage, hide and not forgetting the ferry.  I forgot to book the weather!  Before I knew it my day had come - or should I say night - with a 2.30am start. Ouch that's early! I had to meet the ranger who would escort me to the hide at 3am to be well settled before dawn. Meeting Mike at the Estate Office, in the fine drizzle we set off in the land rover to get as near to the hide as possible without disturbing anything.  A short walk in the pitch black and I arrived at the hide.
Having sat in many a cold dark spot, I was well prepared with a padded fleecy sit mat and small hot water bottle.  It wasn't that cold but being still soon chills the body and there was snow on the tops, so it couldn't be described as the height of summer!  The noises of the night told of a lot of activity - all unseen in the darkness.

The rain also tapped on the roof, and dripped through the many holes, but I was mesmerised by the peculiar noises, almost like little pressure valves going off which I realised was the grouse.  They were here! Unfortunately the light wasn't. The greyness saw me ramp up the ISO as high as I could and I still couldn't achieve a realistic shutter speed.
I sat back and watched (well actually as far forward as I could on the edge of my seat).  The dance started as the hen wandered like a little temptress through the males. Lots of tail feather ruffling and strutting before one either submitted and retreated or was seen off with menace.
The light still did not oblige and the misty dawn remained grey and damp. But I made the most of it enjoying the grouse, curlews, oyster catchers, lapwings, ring ouzel, warblers and pipits.
And then a large hare bounded through the grouse and stopped, nose twitching about 15 meters in front of the hide.  I froze, it's nose twitched seemingly sensing I was there.  With shutter set to quiet mode (still not that quiet), I managed a few quick shots before it darted off.
The light improved a little but the female had disappeared so the grouse had settled down and all was quiet for the next hour.
The grouse still did small walks around each other but there was none of the earlier fervour and they moved further away from the hide.
It really looked like they were just socialising and meeting up for a chat and I knew the activity had mostly finished for the day.  In real terms the grouse can lek all year but the main season is April to May and I was near the end of this - the hens having laid and now being sat on eggs.
A rumble in the distance told me of the imminent arrival of Mike the ranger to pick me up and the grouse flew on his arrival. Packing up my gear the sun finally put in an appearance - too late for me - but the valley lit up in the freshness that only a dawn can bring (that and the coffee that was waiting in the land rover).

Posted by Arran in Focus at 21:08 No comments: Labels: black grouse, glen tanar, lek, lekking, ranger, scotland, visit scotland

Monday, 12 May 2014

On and off the Island (Days 112 - 122)

The last 10 days have been quite different to my normal routine as I managed to slip off the island for a few days - not that I was without my camera.  The aim of going away was to capture an annual event but more of that later. It's been such a hectic time I'm struggling to remember what I did and the photo's provide useful reminders.

Posted by Arran in Focus at 19:45 1 comment: Labels: 365 project, arran, balmoral castle, black and white, black grouse, glen tanar, lek, photography, project, royal deeside, visit arran, visit scotland
