Isle of Mull Birds

The Isle of Mull has so much more to offer and a birdwatching hot spot probably best known for its healthy breeding population of White tailed eagle. However, there is much more and I have compiled this selection of some of my favourite images of Mull birds taken during this month.

Birds and birdwatching has played an important part in my life for many years, indeed I have had an interest in birds since I was a youngster at school, and it was one of the main reasons I become interested in photography over 35 years ago.

Quotations for Creativity

Quotations for Creativity can provide inspiration and motivation to to get us started on the path of our creative journey. They are applicable to all those involve in the art of creative endeavour; from photographers to dancers, artists to designers, or simply looking to add more creativity in everyday life.

So to start getting your creative juices flowing here are 30 quotations for creativity that I particularly like.

1. “There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.” — Edward de Bono

2. “And, we put a lot more value, or at least I personally put a lot more value, on the creative values and creative challenges of something than the commercial necessities.” — Rowan Atkinson

3. “The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.” — Carl Jung

Shoot portrait or landscape format?

One of the first decisions we make as photographers when taking a picture is to shot in portrait or landscape format. Portrait versus landscape depends much on the scene and photographic motif. The right choice of format should add to an image, rather than detract from the picture. Most photographs are taken in landscape format.

A horizontal picture usually appears calmer and allows the viewer to explore the motif and photograph, as the eye naturally wanders from left to right in accordance with people’s reading ability in the western hemisphere. The horizontal photo appears more natural to the human eye, which comprehends wider easier than higher.

Eas Fors Waterfall, Isle of Mull

The dramatic Eas Fors waterfall is located about a mile north of Lagganulva on the B8073 where there is a small car park. It is a spectacular sight, especially in spate. Eas Fors comprises of a series of waterfalls, the upper falls above the road and the lower falls below.

Access to all parts of the falls can be difficult, particularly after rain when the ground will be soft and slippery.

The lower falls in particular can be a dangerous place to reach, there is no access down to the beach directly from the car park.

Birds of Iona

My recent trip to photograph some of the birds of Iona, in particular I was keen to see and hopefully photograph the Corncrake, one of the most sought after birds on the island. The Corncrake is a summer visitor to the UK and several had arrived on Iona from mid April onward.

It took a while to locate one, first by the incessant, loud rasping ‘crex crex’ call and finally a few brief glimpses as it moved, almost hidden, amongst reeds and grasses. However, patience eventually paid off when it moved into a more open area, this allowed the opportunity to get several shots, including the one below of a calling male.