South Islay

A wander along the south coast of Islay, heading past Lagavulin, Ardbeg and all the way round to Claggain Bay. Most of the time spent watching (and being watched by) the Common Seals in Loch an t-Sailein.

A herd of Roe Deer were quietly grazing on the way.

Roe Deer being rude

Roe Deer play-rutting

Common Seals

Common Seal

Common Seal

Common Seals

Someone is keeping Peacocks just up the road.

Peacock

Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser with a fish

Greylag Goose

Claggain Bay

Tide slowly going out on Loch an t-Sailein

Duart Bay

We decided to leave the car at home for the day and explore the area around the cottage; Kilpatrick and Duart Bay. After wandering down the road and to the shore of the bay our one-man bag hide quickly became a one-man-one-woman tent as we sheltered from yet more showers.
We squelched back to the house and had a look around the fields next to the cottage. Lots of Skylarks and warblers in the fields, Buzzards overhead (to the optimistic eye these always look like eagles initially).
After lunch a long trek along much of the bay to the west, seeing Gannets, Oystercatchers, Rock Pipits and a lone Redshank. The male Hen Harrier was seen further inland patrolling the grasses while by the shore was a small group of Mountain Hares, although given their habitat they would have been better called Marine Hares.
Finally, how is it that even in the middle of the sea birds still find things to hide behind when you try to photograph them (ie one lone rock the Gannet kept diving behind).

Barn Swallow

Chaffinch

Mountain Hare

Oystercatcher party

Boat heading up Sound of Mull

Male Hen Harrier

Red-breasted Mergansers

Gannet

Mountain Hare

Mountain Hare

Chaffinch

Ferry heading up Sound of Mull

Rainbow over Duart Castle and Bay

Loch Na Keal

A long trip around Loch Na Keal to look for Otters and Eagles. We saw one Otter briefly heading up Loch Beg. No eagles but lots of other things along the way.

Pied Wagtail

Male Wheatear

Female Wheatear

Female Wheatear

Common Sandpiper

Male Wheatear

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Female Red-breasted Merganser

Male Red-breasted Merganser

Contemplative Sheep

Oystercatcher

Oystercatcher

Buzzard

Stone sheep pens by the Loch

Gill on bridge by Loch Na Keal

John propping up road signs

 

Lone Tree by Loch Na Keal

Loch Na Keal

Loch Na Keal

Islay South Coast

After a rainy day off for photo processing and Single Malt sampling (well, when you're next door to a distillery what are you going to do?) a wander around the Islay south coast, taking in Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg (with quick visit to their immaculate facilities and shop) then round to Kilnaughton Bay. Seal watching and bird watching galore.

View from jetty at Lagavulin

Common Seal

Common Seal

Common Seal

Disputing Gulls

Female Red-breasted Merganser

Oil Beetle

Oil Beetle

Wildlife Photographer (female)

Wildlife Photographer (male)

Pied Wagtail

Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Dunlin

Dunlin

Dunlin

Dunlin

Dunlin

Ringed Plover

Hooded Crow

Hooded Crow

Carraig Fhada Lighthouse

Kildalton Cross

Shelduck

Bag Hide  in use

Buzzard