A Week in the Cairngorms



 I have just returned from a very enjoyable and successful week of wildlife and landscape photography in Glen Feshie in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland and have included a selection of my photographs below.

The main thrust of the week was wildlife photography as we were staying as the guests of Northshots and using their purpose built hides.

Although common it is hard to resist blue tits.  In bird photography it helps the shot to have an attractive perch and a clean uncluttered background is desirable.

Although related to the blue tit this crested tit is much more rare.  In the UK it is only found in the ancient Caledonian Pine forests of the Cairngorm Mountains.  Not only does it need ancient pine forest it requires rotten, but standing trees in order to dig its nest holes.  A very special bird.

Another target species was the red squirrel which is common in these northern forests.  They can be attracted for photography by providing hazelnuts.  The streaks in the image are caused by rain.

Like the Blue Tits, difficult to resist.

 Although the emaphasis was on wildlife photography, the wonderful landscape cannot be ignored.

Late autumn colour provided by larch and silver birch trees.

My attempt to be 'arty'.  A drag shot of pine trees with the colour temperature turned right down.

Beuatiful reflections in Uath Lochan

More Uath Lochan reflections.

I find the northern birch woods very attractive.  I was thinking of Ansel Adams and Eliot Porter here and concentrating on the 'intimate landscape'

A shot I will use as part of the project on shooting at night.  There is no light pollution at all in the upper reaches of Glen Feshie and one night was absolutely clear of clouds.  The night sky was stunning - there is no space for even one more star.