Autumn colour, a photographers view

The beauty of autumn colour is something to behold, rich vibrant colours all competing with each yet forming such a harmonious blend, but it is also tinged with sadness as another year ebbs away. Autumn photography can be spectacular, dominated by oranges, reds and yellows combining to produce a beautiful tapestry of colour, none more so than when we combine the rich autumn colour with water. Water and autumn colours combined together have the potential for brilliant images.

Otter (Lutra lutra) Isle of Mull

Otters are a personal favourite of mine and there is a great deal of satisfaction to be had from photographing them. However, it is vital in all genres of nature photography, be it mammals, birds, plants or insects etc that absolute priority is giving to the welfare of the subject. Knowing how to photograph any particular specie relies as much on good field craft as it does on having suitable photography skill and equipment.

Thoughts on close up photography

Close up photography in nature is a very important part of my photographic life. It helps concentrate the mind, gives a greater appreciation of natural beauty and a clearer understanding of the world. During the winter Scotland can experience clear cold winter days with breathtaking crispness, nature close ups in these conditions can be magical, creating Close up photography patterns in snow, frosted leaves and shimmering icicles.

White tailed Eagle on the Isle of Mull

The White tailed Eagle is also known as the Erne or more commonly the Sea Eagle. It is the largest bird of prey in northern Europe and more of a coast hunting species than the Golden Eagle.

During 1975 a full scale re-introduction programme into Rhum in the Inner Hebrides brought the White tailed Eagle into Scotland from Norway. By 1985 Scotland had successfully hatched its first White tailed Eagle chick. Since then, numerous pairs of White-tailed Eagle have bred successfully including a healthy population on the Isle of Mull.

The White tailed Eagle has all of the characteristics of the Golden Eagle, large size, heavy build, it is particularly impressive in flight with shallow wing flaps, majestic glide and pronounced short wedge shaped white tail.

Get up close – Nature Photography

Get up close. In class we would rather unkindly mimic our school physics teacher who was constantly reminding us all to “Always remember the importance of detail, study and get up close to the facts.”, it was his mantra and I don’t think a lesson went by without it.

Whilst his words seemed insignificant and irrelevant to me at the time they have over the years taken on greater significance and become ingrained in my philosophical approach to life and photography.

Applying this “importance of detail, get up close” to even the most commonplace of nature subjects can reveal extraordinary beauty. Looking closely we can see that shape, texture and colour combine to create patterns that require only an observant and discerning eye to enjoy.

Isle of Mull Birds – Part 2

One of my most enjoyable and memorable encounters photographing Isle of Mull Birds was with a group of about 30 Eider (Somateria mollissima) on Loch Scridain, there were both males and females in the group and I was able to position myself low enough to ensure a nice diffused background.

Following on from Sundays post Isle of Mull Birds – Part 1 here is a further selection of bird images from the Isle of Mull taken during last year.

Eider (Somateria mollissima)

Isle of Mull Birds – Part 1

The Isle of Mull is of course considered a birdwatching hot spot probably best known for its healthy population of White tailed eagle that breed on the island. However, Mull has so much more to offer and over the next few days I will post a varied selection of Mull birds images that I have taken over the last year. I have had an interest in birds since I was a youngster and it was one of several reasons for my becoming interested in photography over 30 years ago.

Whilst I would never suggest that I am a “bird photographer”, though photographing Mull Birds is an area of photography that I greatly enjoy when I get opportunity.

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

Robin perched on tree stump

Taken from the kitchen window this Robin perched on tree stump is one of several in the garden that regularly come to the bird table. They are always very obliging and on occasions have taken mealworms from our hand.

Red deer on the Isle of Mull

Red deer on the Isle of Mull are probably the easiest of the “Big Five” for visitors to see. The others they are often hoping to see are White tailed eagle, Golden eagle, Otter and Seals. Although Red deer on the island of Mull are the easiest to see, there are times throughout the summer when it may be a little harder as they tend to stay higher up the hills and in remote glens.

The Red Deer migrated to Britain from Europe approximately 11,000 years ago and is the largest land mammal in the UK. It was the Neolithic man who developed agriculture and cleared many forests to make way for fields. As a result there was a decline in the population of Red deer as many became confined to higher ground, particularly in the Highlands.

The adult Red Deer can weigh anything between 90 to 190kg and hinds between 63 and 120kg, their life span is approximately 18 years. Their coats during the summer months are a rich red-brown turning to a brown-grey colour during the darker months of winter.

Collection of seaweed abstracts

All these seaweed abstracts were photographed exactly as they were found shortly after a receding tide. The light was perfect, a bright day with thin cloud cover producing almost shadowless lighting for best colour and detail.

I really enjoy this kind of photography and this selection of seaweed abstracts are taken from a larger collection that formed a personal project.

These naturally occurring shapes appeal to me, they allow my imagination to wander, looking beyond what they are and toward what they could represent, I would be interested to to hear your view. Your thoughts and comments are always welcome and would be appreciated.

Seaweed 1