Recent trip to Islay

[RobSutton]

Just thought I'd share some photos from a recent trip to Islay:

Superb sunrises and sunsets:





Brilliant beaches:





Superb scenery:





Some things still done the old-fashioned way:





An incredibly friendly atmosphere, wildlife still a part of every-day life, unlike lots of the UK you don't have to visit nature reserves to see the specialities which include close to 50,000 geese, Barnacle Geese and Greenland Whitefronts being the commonest but also small race Canada Geese, Pink-feet and Brent Geese.



In total I managed 104 species of bird including Golden Eagle,Peregrine, Merlin, Hen Harrier, Long-tailed Duck, Scaup and Slavonian Grebe amongst the highlights. Grey and Common Seals, Otters, Harbour Porpoise and a good selection of the malts from the eight distilleries on the island!

If anybody is ever tempted drop me a line and I can recommend a few good spots to try.

[ronsteenvoorden]

Hello Rob,

Magnificent pictures, really excellent
Good publicity for the island!

ron
Islay Ultimate Online Guide - Isle of Islay Queen of the Hebrides

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by ronsteenvoorden

Hello Rob,

Magnificent pictures, really excellent
Good publicity for the island!

ron
Islay Ultimate Online Guide - Isle of Islay Queen of the Hebrides

Thanks Ron

I've been going up there for the best part of twenty years and could never get bored of the place - especially in autumn when the geese are there.

[naturelover]

hi rob fantastic photography especialy no five, mind you i like them all, but no five has got something, for me anyway, well done.

[rlchew]

Excellent stuff Rob.

I have just returned from my first trip to Islay. Whilst the weather was not as good as it was when you went judging by your photos, the wildlife was awesome.

I will post a trip report once I have had a chance to sort through rtaher a lot of photos.

Richard

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by naturelover

hi rob fantastic photography especialy no five, mind you i like them all, but no five has got something, for me anyway, well done.

I must admit I agree with you no. 5 is probably my favorite too. There's just something about a powerful seascape.

Originally Posted by rlchew

Excellent stuff Rob.

I have just returned from my first trip to Islay. Whilst the weather was not as good as it was when you went judging by your photos, the wildlife was awesome.

I will post a trip report once I have had a chance to sort through rtaher a lot of photos.

Richard

Thanks Richard - have spotted your otter photos already and am looking forward to seeing the others. I was up there from 20th Oct. until the 3rd Nov. and most of the good weather photos happened during the first week.

[hammock monkey]

great pics number 6 gets my vote.
Looking fwd to getting up that way myself next year

[demicav]

Beautiful photos, stunning, makes me want to go. The birds of prey must have been glorious, well everything must have been great. Sounds like you had a brilliant time.

[ron1863]

Lovely shots Rob, Scotland's the bees knees for wildlife and scenery

[RobSutton]

Thanks for the comments folks, it's always nice to know you like the photos

Originally Posted by hammock monkey

great pics number 6 gets my vote.
Looking fwd to getting up that way myself next year

No. 6 was taken on the only still day in a fortnight - if you want any ideas of places to visit when you get there drop me a line.

Originally Posted by demicav

Beautiful photos, stunning, makes me want to go. The birds of prey must have been glorious, well everything must have been great. Sounds like you had a brilliant time.

It was really brilliant, I once saw, on Islay, an eagle being mobbed by buzzard, with a hen harrier and a merlin darting around at the same time.
I didn't know which one to look at!

Originally Posted by ron1863

Lovely shots Rob, Scotland's the bees knees for wildlife and scenery

I agree, especially the West coast and Islands - not that I've really explored areas further East. The Dales where I live is beautiful but doesn't have the richness in terms of wildlife - been overgrazed for too long.

[hammock monkey]

Originally Posted by RobSutton

No. 6 was taken on the only still day in a fortnight - if you want any ideas of places to visit when you get there drop me a line.

will do, thanks!

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by RobSutton

In total I managed 104 species of bird including Golden Eagle,Peregrine, Merlin, Hen Harrier, Long-tailed Duck, Scaup and Slavonian Grebe amongst the highlights. Grey and Common Seals, Otters, Harbour Porpoise and a good selection of the malts from the eight distilleries on the island!

that's pretty good going - though did that include the whiskey or not?!
Great pictures!
I was up there doing Voluntary work on a RSPB reserve about 15 yrs ago (ouch - times gone!) and had a great time! Lots of tree planting in the rain and mucking out cattle with hangovers!!!