A couple of weeks in Scotland
At Lake Hodges this time of year, bird courtship is over, most of the birds are molting, it’s pretty sticky and hot, so a good time to take a trip back to Scotland. If you don’t already know, as a native Scot I’m the front man of the Celtic band, https://highlandway.us/, and as such have hosted several tours to Scotland with our fans. The trips are not dedicated photography trips, but I do bring my camera in the off chance that there are some interesting subjects. And I’m glad I did!
As a photographer that specializes in Grebes it only seemed appropriate that I try and find some while over in Scotland. There are several lochs that have them, so it wasn’t too difficult. It was the wrong time of year for courtship and chicks but I did find some Great Crested Grebes.
I also found one large chick that was beyond it’s cute stage, but still looking to its parents for handouts. Interestingly, the vocalization of the begging chick was virtually identical to that of the Western and Clark’s Grebes at Hodges, and this was how I found them. Another example of why bird listening is as important as bird watching….
As with most locations, the best opportunity for bird photography is first thing in the morning, and Glasgow is no different. The weather was unusually warm, (climate change?), and we had several beautiful sunny mornings. One such morning the mist rolled along the surface of the loch generating a great backdrop for the local Mute Swans.
The local swans are not remotely shy and often come within a few feet. As can be seen from the photo they are very relaxed.
Once the mist lifted, a completely different mood.
The large parks in the southern cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh have a healthy population of Magpies. This time of year most are molting and looking pretty ratty. This bird was one of the few that wasn’t looking too bad.
Further north the dominant corvid is the Hooded Crow. This shot was taken on the Isle of Skye. Note the change in the weather…. It’s always a good idea to bring a good rain coat and umbrella when coming to Scotland.
And no surprise, Scotland also has Cormorants 🙂 What was surprising was the lack of wind which meant there were great opportunities for reflections.
And if landscapes are your thing, there are plenty of options.
Rain or shine.
And waterfalls. LOTS of waterfalls.
Glasgow is a vibrant City filled with art and culture. Having attended the prestigious Glasgow School of Art as a child, I truly appreciate the beauty and skill required to produce these wonderful murals. You can find them on gable ends and alleyways around Glasgow’s city center.
This mural is at least 40’ high.
It’s not a trip to Scotland until you find a Highland Cow or a Thistle. This may be the most Purple thistle in the world!?…..
For such a small country, Scotland has a huge variety of landscapes and options for photography. There’s something for every weather condition, rain or shine. This forest is a great example. Even though there was harsh light in the middle of the day above the canopy, underneath there was a blanket of vibrant greens. I felt like I’d stepped onto the set of “Lord of the Rings’.
Bye bye Scotland, see you next time 🙂
Please contact me directly by email if interested in heading out on the Lake or walking the area for any photography or videography. The Lake has only a limited number of days each week / season open for boating, so I’m happy to visit other local reservoirs and locations if needed. Walking and hiking is accessible any day, 365 days a year. As a 30+ year resident I’m very familiar with all of San Diego County and have a pulse on the local activity. Feel free to share on your preferred Social Media, and subscribe at the foot of this page.
Until next time
And a reminder of my Website for purchasing my ART.
One of my favorite aspects of the site is the way in which a potential print can be hung on a mockup of the room in which it’s intended. The room can be changed, the wall color can be changed, and even a photo loaded of the ACTUAL room. Shop with confidence that the print will indeed compliment the room and décor. https://www.lakehodgesphototours.art/shop-art.
If there are any specific prints you’d like that are not yet on the site, please let me know and I’ll get the high res versions loaded.
