Coll and Tiree - almost on the edge.....

A mainly wet and windy week on Coll and Tiree  - and of course the winds in the wrong direction - but still a good week (even if not for bird photography).  Coll provided a chance to practice star photography and some stunning skies.... and three ferries!!!!!!     Whatever I'm sharing my holidays snaps...........

Coll - our home for two nights - the white gable end nearest the shore

Great flocks of Twite and Linnets just wouldn't sit still long enough and Stonechats were everywhere

Not a bad view to wake up to!!

Coll has a reputation for dark skies

Hares, Brent and Barnacle Geese

The local RSPB Warden on Tiree alerted us to a Lesser Yellowlegs which was so obliging as to stay near the road and be clearly seen

 Early morning on Tiree from my room - the hotel is the red building!!

Pomerine Skua

It is from the French pomarin, a shortening of the scientific Latin pomatorhinus, ultimately from Greek, meaning "having a covered nose".  The name is unrelated to the region of Pomerania. 

Whatever, there were great vies of one on todays RSPB cruise.   It was was one of those days when expectations were low, bit of fog, some sun, no wind....  however expectationas can go either way - judge for yourself!!

The bees and the butterflies

Bit of a funny weekend, expecting two Skua cruises and both cancelled due to sea conditions - ah me.  Popped up to Bempton this afternoon for the mini-beast, ringing demonstrations and had a wander around the Nature Walk - not much in the way of feathered friends but found a mulititude of Peacock butterflies and some bees got in the act.........  wrong lens for macro but not to dusty??

A Kestrel study

I know not a rare bird, but gorgeous to see up to six in the air at one time....  and no I didn't manage that shot!!

An evening out with Yfoto....

Took a trip out to Hornsea with the Yfoto gang for a bit of practice with the old camera......

The original plan was to start at the Mere - but it was closed!!  We headed for the beach (via the icecream van).....

Yfoto at work.....

The sun was beginning to set - behind us - so we diverted to Lissett and the RAF Squadron 158 Memorial  - always a good location!!

Even the wind turbines provided a subject for experimenting with shutter speeds...