Wednesday 19 September 2012

Scottish Holiday Snaps

We stayed in an adapted log-cabin at Benderloch, by Loch Linnhe.
We loved relaxing on this balcony overlooking a wonderful view...

The view from 'our' balcony.

I notched up a few 'new' moth species including this Chevron.


The weather was rather varied but produced this spectacular rainbow. I also like the cloud formations coming off the top of the Pap of Glencoe in the distance.

We were very amused to see the name of this Chinese restaurant
especially as the football team we support is Crystal Palace!!

Thomas looks very pleased to have found the local distillery!




We took a ferry over to the spectacular Isle of Mull. The scenery is some of the most rugged and beautiful anywhere in the UK. Along this huge glen we saw a Golden Eagle but  our main mission was to try to find the UK's largest bird of prey, a  White-tailed Sea Eagle. The information centre on Mull had given us directions where to go and we were thrilled to be able to see one resting on its nest before flapping its huge wings as it seemed to fly off in slow-motion. We'll never forget it.


On the ferry back to the mainland we saw lots more interesting wildlife, including Porpoises, Manx Shearwaters and Guillemots.

Just one minute's walk from the log-cabin was this lovely bay on the shore of Loch Linnhe.


Anna enjoyed sitting on the beach and painting the beautiful loch.


Oban at dusk.

It would have been illegal to photograph the Sea Eagle on its nest so here is a sketch instead. It is the world's 4th largest Eagle with a wing-span of around 8 foot 6 inches (over 2.5 meters)!

31 comments:

  1. I remember Oban from 2011 and the Isle of Mull, I also seen a White-tailed Sea Eagle, absolutely great. I'm glad that you too were having a great time.

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  2. Wow, what a great holiday. Stunning views and stunning photos. So glad you had such a good time.

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    1. Thanks Ann, I must say, I wish we were still there!

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  3. Thanks for this virtual tour in the beauty of Scotland!
    A peaceful atmosphere pervades your words and images: I'm happy for all of you!
    The great eagle must have been awesome (nice sketchs)!!!
    Dear Jerry, I like again see other moths!

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  4. Thanks Rita, yes it was very peaceful. Sadly it's beginning to get a bit chilly at night for moths and numbers will decrease quite rapidly from now on.

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  5. Hi Jerry Thanks for sharing your lovely photos and sketches. Oban and it's surrounding area is really beautiful. I missed out on the Isle of Mull trip sadly when I was up there so it's really interesting seeing your photos of it. Lucky you to get to see all that wildife too. Take care.

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    1. Laura, I'm sure you'd love Mull; it's so impressive.

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  6. Hola, Jerry. Sonia y yo estamos encantados de saber de vosotros otra vez. Maravillosos los paisajes escoceses que habéis fotografiado. Espero que hayáis pasado unas buenas vacaciones. Un abrazo para todos. Ah, y el Crystal Palace empató 1:1 con el Nottingham Forest :-)

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    1. Thanks Francesc, we had a very refreshing holiday. Unfortunately Forest equalised with ten minutes to go - I'm afraid watching Palace is not like watching Spanish football!

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  7. the eagle sighting is awesome! gorgeous views and moody skies. the light shining on that porch is wonderful.

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  8. I must say, Jerry..these photos are so beautiful...thanks for sharing them with us.! and love your sketch of the white tailed eagle...you did an amazing job with it!! Glad you had a wonderful trip...

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    1. Thank you Hilda - yes although I love my work it is a shame that our lovely break had to come to an end.

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  9. Je suis très heureuse de pouvoir à nouveau admirer votre travail. Je rentre à peine après plusieurs semaines d'absence.
    Un très joli reportage photographique... merci pour ce merveilleux partage.
    gros bisous à vous.

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    1. Thanks Martine-Alison - it's good to hear from you again - hope you had as lovely a holiday as I did!

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  10. What a beautiful photos! I enjoyed this virtual trip to such beautiful countryside! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. What wonderful photos! Its hard to pick a favourite but the fourth one down of the red minibus is exceptionally good. I love your sketch too. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you Ragged Robin - yes it was fun to photograph our van in the eye of the cable of a little foot-bridge.

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  12. Hola Jerry, ya veo que Francesc se adelantó a mi para contestarte, es broma :) Estupendas fotos, gracias por compartirlas. Me alegro mucho de volver a saber de vosotros. Un abrazo. Sonia.

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    1. Thank you Sonia, I missed contact with all my blogging friends so it is nice to be able to catch up.

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  13. Hi Jerry
    As soon as I saw you had posted I came right over.You certainly seem to have had a wonderful relaxing holiday with your family,with plenty to see and do.The rich warm light in your first photo is very special, the sunset also, and views of the mountains and loches are all very beautiful.You saw so much wild life too, including a new moth.What an incredable holiday you had!! Thank you for showing it with these wonderful photos.
    Sonjia.

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    1. That's very kind of you Sonjia - it was the perfect place to recuperate.

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  14. It all looks and sounds wonderful Jerry. Beautiful photos! I would love to go to Mull, it looks stunning, very unforgiving in harsh weather though, I'm sure. You had some great wildlife sightings and the sketch is lovely. I thought the photo of Oban at dusk was particularly lovely and would make a beautiful painting.... ;-)

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    1. Jan, after reading your comment I might have a go at that Oban evening scene suggestion but I can't work our if it would be best attempted in watercolour or Acrylics. I've been painting a harp most of this week and my hand has been a bit sore with writer's cramp so if I do I'll wait a few days.

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  15. Looks like a wonderful place for a holiday. I so enjoyed your photos--especially the one of the rainbow, and the one from the ferry going back to the mainland, with that very interesting light. I'm glad you weren't allowed to photograph the eagle; otherwise we might not have seen your exquisite sketch!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comments Connie; you are very kind about my sketch. Yes the changeable weather certainly poduced many interesting efeects of the light.

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  16. Fantastic photos of wonderful places and landscapes, really love the first one of the family sitting together on the balcony enjoying the view and each other, but all are gorgeous. xx

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    1. Thanks Jane, the balcony was great for drinking cocoa, al fresco meals, reading, listening to music, birdwatching and of course my moth trap.

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