Red Squirrels in the Cairngorm NP December 31, 2011Life in wild Scotland, Red Squirrels in Scotlandmike Red Squirrels have one of their last strong holds in the Cairngorm National Park Scotland. All of the Red Squirrel images on this page were taken on one after noon in Caledonian pine and birch forest on the Rothiemurchus Estate. Red Squirrel in heather Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel in blueberry bush Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel hiding food in a secret place Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel climbing a birch tree Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel eating an apple Sciurus vulgari two Red Squirrels chase round a Birch tree Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel looking through a gap Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel caught in a sunbeam Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel two on birch tree Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel standing on a log Cairngorm NP Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel with Heather Cairngorm NP Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel leaping Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel in afternoon sun Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel decending tree Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel hiding Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel paused on birch branch Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel eating on dead branch Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel alert in birch tree Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel in birch tree Sciurus vulgari nervous Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel eating Cairngorm NP Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel on mossy patch Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel posing on birch branch Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel back view Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel running on fallen birch Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel on look out Sciurus vulgariRed Squirrel resting on Red Squirrel on mossy log Cairngorm NP Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel feeding on ground Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel behing grass Sciurus vulgari Red Squirrel resting on a bracket fungus
Gannets wind riding at Troup head December 29, 2011Birds in the british landscapemike Troup Head has Scotland’s only mainland breeding Gannet colony. The cliffs are spectacular, exposed and very steep. All the images on this page were taken on one day in May with a strong north west wind allowing the Gannets to ride the strong gusts and updrafts coming off the cliffs. Gannet airial display at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet preparing to land at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet pair courting at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet pair displaying at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannets displaying at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet stalling at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet gliding at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet group on cliff at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet pair greeting at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet resting at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet group flying at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet from behind Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet hovering at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet wind riding at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannets greeting at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannets bowing at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet wind riding at Troup Head Morus bassanus Gannet landing at Troup Head Morus bassanus 2 Gannet landing at Troup Head Morus bassanus
Killer whales and dolphins of Telegraph Cove BC October 11, 2011Whales and Bears in the BC Landscapemike These images were taken while on a 5 day whale watch trip with Orcella Expeditions owned by Jim and Mary Borrowman. Jim Borrowman is internationally acknowledged as an expert on the whales and other marine mammals around Vancouver Island BC. Without Jim’s unrivalled knowledge and skill these images would not have been possible. Killer whales near rubbing beach Orcinus orca Pacific white-sided dolphin 2 swimming Lagenorhynchus Obliquiden Pacific white-sided dolphin tail splash Lagenorhynchus Obliquide Pacific white-sided dolphin jumping Lagenorhynchus Obliquidens Pacific white-sided dolphin jumping 2 Lagenorhynchus Obliquidens Pacific white-sided dolphin re-entry Lagenorhynchus Obliquidens Killer whale & calf Orcinus orca Killer whale male Orcinus orca Killer whale travelling closeup Orcinus orca Killer whale travelling fast Orcinus orca Killer whale close dive Orcinus orca Killer whale pod & fishing net Orcinus orca Killer whale breath Orcinus orca Killer whale male close up Orcinus orca Killer whale and blowing calf Orcinus orca Killer whale spyhop in mist Orcinus orca Transient Orca tail display Orcinus orca Transient Orca display at Alert bay Orcinus orca
Humpbacks of Johnstone Strait Vancouver Island BC October 8, 2011Whales and Bears in the BC Landscapemike Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) visit the food rich Johnston Strait between British Columbia and Vancouver Island in the summer and autumn. Humpbacks have returned in increasing numbers over the last few seasons and can be reliably seen feeding and interacting near Telegraph Cove and Port McNeill. These images were taken while on a 5 day whale watch trip with Orcella Expeditions owned by Jim and Mary Borrowman. Jim Borrowman is internationally acknowledged as an expert on the whales and other marine mammals around Vancouver Island BC. Without Jim’s unrivalled knowledge and skill these images would not have been possible. Humpback whale close breach Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale blow hole & whale lice Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale blow hole & whale lice Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale breaching Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale diving Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale tail waving Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale on back with flippers Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale tail fluke in waves Megaptera novaeangliae Humpb Humpback whale breaching again Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale breaching face on Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale breaching face on 2 Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale about to dive Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale Splash after breaching Megaptera novaeangliae nov Humpback whale blow hole closing Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale Tail markings Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale breaching Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale breaching Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale splashdown Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale beaching detail Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale full breach Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale disappears in splash Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale distant breach Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale breaching again Megaptera novaeangliae
Transient Orca and calf attacking an Auklet October 7, 2011Whales and Bears in the BC Landscapemike Transient Killer whales or Orca are found off the coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, they eat other marine mammals. Unlike their fish eating cousins the resident Killer whales residents are only occasional visitors to the Johnston Strait they are fast and elusive. These images were taken late afternoon after several family groups of Transient Orca we were watching had been interacting and hunting all day in the Johnston Strait. An adult female Orca caught an Auklet underwater, the family group then appeared to use the bird to teach their calves to hunt. These images are in sequence from just after the Auklet was caught to when the by then exhausted bird disappeared, this behaviour lasted at least 20 minutes. The images were taken while on a 5 day whale watch trip with Orcella Expeditions owned by Jim and Mary Borrowman. Orcella operates out of Telegraph Cove Vancouver Island. Jim Borrowman is internationally acknowledged as an expert on the whales and other marine mammals around Vancouver Island. Without Jim’s unrivalled knowledge and skill these images would not have been possible. Transient Orca and calf attacking an Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca with Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca with Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca with Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca on back with Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca chasing Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca tail with Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca spray and Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca and Auklet in foam Orcinus orca Transient Orca submerging Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca surounding Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca slapping Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca and resurfacing Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca underwater calf and Auklet Orcinus orca Transient Orca and calf Auklet disappeared Orcinus orca
Hares in the Suffolk Landscape June 7, 2011Life in the British landscapemike The Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) can be seen quite frequently on the arable farmland of West Suffolk, early morning and evening are the best times to watch Hares. The hare images on the page were all taken within a couple of miles of where I live mostly using a car as a hide. Over time the local hares have got used to my car and are happy to come quite close, sometimes too close to get photographs. More of my Brown hare images can be found in the “Farming and wildlife Norton Suffolk” section of this website Brown Hare female sitting backlit early May evening. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare, sharp turn on short dewy grass. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare in long grass in evening sun Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare, running on short dewy grass. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare pair looking both ways at sunset. Suffolk Lepus europaeus Brown Hare, bounding on short dewy grass. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sniffing grass. Evening Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare May evening sunset. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare in meadow flowers, Suffolk evening. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare close in wheat at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sitting on track paw on chin dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare leveret flying at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare in winter wheat at sunset, Spring Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare leveret running at dusk. Spring Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare eating, sitting and looking at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sitting at sunset. May Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare side look Lepus europaeus Brown Hare jogging lopsided Lepus europaeus Brown Hare eating Barley at field edge Lepus europaeus Brown Hare jogging on track edge Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sitting in evening light Lepus europaeus Brown Hare washing Lepus europaeus Brown Hare eating rye grass Lepus europaeus Brown Hare running on one leg Lepus europaeus Brown Hare listening back and front Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sneezing Lepus europaeus Brown hare waiting with setting sun reflected in its eye Lepus Brown hare leveret deciding what to do next Lepus europaeus Brown hare with toes at sunset Lepus europaeus Brown hare emerging into late evening summer light Lepus europae Brown Hare tip toe in late evening summer light Lepus europaeus Brown Hare close up running evening light Lepus europaeus Brown hare running late evening summer light Lepus europaeus Young Brown Hare running summer evening light Lepus europaeus Brown Hare eating Suffolk Lepus europaeus Brown hare In June evening light Suffolk Lepus europaeus Brown Hare jogging Suffolk evening Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sitting grass Sufflok June evening Lepus europaeus Hare just after sunset Lepus europaeus Hare emerging at dusk Lepus europaeus Hare running close up Lepus europaeus Hare having a quiet moment Lepus europaeus Sitting hare Lepus europaeus Lepus europaeus two Hares in a chase Lepus europaeus Two hares one jumping Lepus europaeus Two hares in a face off Lepus europaeus Hare on the move at dusk Lepus europaeus hare hiding at a field edge Lepus europaeus hare browsing in wheat Lepus europaeus brown hare Lepus europaeus hare wet from early morning dew Lepus europaeus Red eyed hare at sunset Lepus europaeus Curious young hare Lepus europaeus Hare feeding at sunset Lepus europaeus Running hare Lepus europaeus Running hare in flight Lepus europa Running hare in flight Lepus europaeus Hare running in the evening Lepus europaeus Running hare flying stone Lepus europaeusRunning hare in flight Brown Hare washing in early morning light Lepus europaeus Brown Hare emerging from field edge, early morning Lepus europae Brown Hare eating at field edge, early morning Lepus europaeus Brown Hare running on the turn early morning Lepus europaeus Brown Hare about to leap early morning Lepus europaeus Brown Hare leaping to the side Lepus europaeus Brown Hare running early morning Lepus europaeus Brown Hare and Red Legged Partridge running early morning Lepus Brown Hare looking with ears down Lepus europaeus Brown Hare hiding in evening wheat Lepus europaeus Brown Hare running in evening light Lepus europaeus Brown Hare close up Suffolk June Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sitting in winter wheat, Spring evening Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare peering out of winter wheat, Spring evening Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare in winter wheat, Spring evening Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare at field edge sunset in eye, Spring Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare isitting on farm track, Spring evening Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare running on farm track, Spring evening Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare side look on farm track, Spring evening Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sitting green, Suffolk dusk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare stopped but ready to go, Suffolk dusk. Lepus europaeus Wary Brown Hare, Suffolk dusk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare green field, Suffolk dusk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sitting alone on a track, Suffolk evening. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare leveret on a track at dusk. Spring Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare jogging on farm track at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare slipping into wheat crop at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sitting and eating dandylion at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare close eating dandylions at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus euro Brown Hare eating dandylion at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sitting in grass under hedge at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare walking in long grass at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sitting on track paws up at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare sitting on track toe in mouth at dusk. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare low wiskers in evening light Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare, about to go on short dewy grass. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare, turning to go on short dewy grass. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare, sitting and looking on short dewy grass. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus Brown Hare, Jogging on short dewy grass. Suffolk. Lepus europaeus
Birds in the British Landscape November 26, 2010Birds in the british landscapemike Nuthatch tree climbing. May Suffolk. Sitta europaea Nuthatch at nest hole. May Suffolk. Sitta europaea Nuthatch picking oak buds. May Suffolk. Sitta europaea Nuthatch collecting oak buds. May Suffolk. Sitta europaea Nuthatch making nest hole smaller with mud. May Suffolk. Sitta europaea Curious Pheasant April morning Suffolk. Phasianus colchicus Skylark leaving. June morning Suffolk. Alauda arvensis Skylark hidden in game mix on the ground. June morning Suffolk. Alauda arvensis Snipe looking round. March morning Suffolk. Gallinago gallinago Snipe looking for food, March morning Suffolk. Gallinago gallinago Shelduck pair at dusk, March Suffolk. Tadorna tadorna Grey partridge pair at field edge, evening. March Suffolk. Perdix perdix Grey partridge feeding, evening. March Suffolk. Perdix perdix Grey partridge walking into field margin, early morning. March Suffolk. Perdix perdix Grey partridge on ther turn early morning. March Suffolk. Perdix perdix Sparrowhawk sitting and looking. March Suffolk. Accipiter nisus Moorhen on the move, March Suffolk. Gallinula chloropus Moorhen pausing to look, March Suffolk. Gallinula chloropus Buzzard on oak branch. March sunset Suffolk Buteo buteo Barn owl retreating from buzzard. March evening. Suffolk. Tyto alba Sparrowhawk looking to hunt. March Suffolk. Accipiter nisus Green woodpecker feeding on mossy ground. March Suffolk. Picus viridis Barn owl looking back in winter oak at sunset. Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl flying out of winter sunset. Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl flying, winter dusk Suffolk. Tyto alba Common Buzzard private moment in winter oak. Suffolk. Buteo buteo Barn owl flying V face on at dusk Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl flying face on at dusk Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl flying against winter hedge at dusk Suffolk. Tyto alba Common Buzzard sitting in winter oak. Suffolk. Buteo buteo Barn owl hunting in late afternoon sunlight. Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn owl flying and winking in afternoon sunlight. Suffolk. Tyto alba Yellowhammer feeding at field margin. Winter Suffolk. Emberiza citrinella Blue tit looking back in wet einter hedge. Suffolk. Cyanistes caeruleus Goldfinch in winter hedge. Suffolk. Carduelis carduelis Crested tit feeding in the grass on the ground. November Cairngorm NP Lophophanes cristatus Crested Tit. birch and lichen, Nov Caingorm NP Lophophanes cristatus Barn owl in straw barn with vole. October afternoon. Tyto alba Coal tit on the rocks. November Cairngorm NP Periparus ater Crested looking to the side. November Cairngorm NP Lophophanes cristatus Greater spotted woodpecker upright on birch. November Cairngorm NP Dendrocopos major Crested tit calling on dead log. November Cairngorm NP Lophophanes cristatus Red-legged Partridge pair, in morning aerial fight. August Suffolk Alectoris rufa Red-legged Partridge pair, early morning disagreement. August Suffolk Alectoris rufa Pheasant pair fight getting serious, August Suffolk. Phasianus colchicus Pheasant pair have a disagreement, August Suffolk. Phasianus colchicus Pheasant pair fighting, August Suffolk. Phasianus colchicus Barn Owl pair close communication in an Oak tree. July sunset, Suffolk. Tyto alba Little owl looking back from Oak branch, early morning June. Athene noctua Barn Owl on the move at sunset in an Oak tree. July evening, Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn Owl, Hunting angel Early morning, June Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn Owl hovering during hunt, early june morning Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn Owl decending on prey, early morning June, Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn Owl hovering hunt, early morning June, Suffolk. Tyto alba Barn Owl decending on prey, vertical wings early morning June, Suffolk. Tyto alba Kestrel, first attempt at swallowing a mouse. Falco tinnunculus Little owl on a barn roof, early morning June. Athene noctua Little owl over shoulder from Oak branch, early morning June. Athene noctua Grey Partridge at field edge, early morning Suffolk. Perdix perd Kingfisher wet after missing fish Alcedo atthis Kingfisher taking flight Alcedo atthis Nuthatch enlarging nest hole Bradfield woods Suffolk. Sitta europaea Nuthatch looking back in spring Oak tree Bradfield woods Suffolk. Sitta europaea Kestrel, swallowing a mouse. Falco tinnunculus Kestrel, on branch with spread tail. Falco tinnunculus Hobby adult in oak tree with prey Hobby about to fly Hobby feeding Waxwing pair 597 waxwing suffolk 604 605 Guillemot Guillemot famly 608 Puffin sand Puffin walking Puffin sand eels Shag picks flowers Shag flower bunch Shag on nest two Puffins Redshank on post Oyster catcher on post Corncrake Machair Short eared owl Machair 620 Short eared owl family Machair Short eared owl looking back Kittiwake hovering Barn Owl flying into evening sun Litle Owl in winter afternoon light Athene noctua 626 627 Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus Waxwing Bombycilla garrulous Waxwing Bombycilla garrulous Waxwing feather detail Red Kite Westhorpe Sparrowhawk with wood Pigeon Accipiter brevipes Sparrowhawk flying with Pigeon Accipiter brevipes Sparrowhawk on prey Accipiter brevipes Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes Hobby juvenile eating Falco subbuteo Hobbys calling for food Falco subbuteo Young Hobby trying to take food Hobby eating house Martin Falco subbuteo Hobby at feeding perch Martin Falco subbuteo Bull Finch Feeding on buds Pyrrhula pyrrhula Bull Finch feeding Prunus sp Pyrrhula pyrrhula Bull Finch taking flight Pyrrhula pyrrhula Heron mobbed by Jackdaw Cairngorm background Heron driven from perch by Jackdaw Cairngorm background Grey heron taking trout to bank Ardea cinerea Grey heron with large trout Ardea cinerea Dipper wing stretching Cinclus cinclus Robin in autumn Rowan tree rubecula Erithacus Dipper and water drop Cinclus cinclus Little owl wing stretch Athene noctua Short eared owl hunting Norton Suffolk Asio flammeus Short eared owl low in Suffolk field Asio flammeus Kingfisher taking flight Alcedo atthis Kingfisher in flight Alcedo atthis Grey Heron looking for food Ardea cinerea Grey Heron looking closely at the ground Ardea cinerea Grey Heron looking with bent neck, Ardea cinerea Grey Heron looking to the side, Ardea cinerea Grey Heron head and shoulder Ardea cinerea Grey Heron in front rippled water Ardea cinerea Grey Heron head and shoulders face on, Ardea cinerea Grey Heron head and long neck, Ardea cinerea Kestrel, relaxing on a TV aerial. Falco tinnunculus Kestrel, about to scratch. Falco tinnunculus Kestrel, having a break from eating mouse insides. Falco tinnun Kestrel, eating mouse insides. Falco tinnunculus Goldfinch flying off groudsel Carduelis carduelis
Life in the spring Highlands Landscape July 21, 2010Life in wild Scotland, Red Squirrels in Scotlandmike The Highlands of Scotland contain some of the last wilderness areas to be found in Europe and is home to some very special wildlife. This gallery show some of this wildlife including: Red Squirrels and Siskin in the Caledonian forest Cairngorms NP and Gannets at Troup Head Aberdeenshire. 545 Goldeneye duckings on Loch Inch. Cairngorm NP. Bucephala clangula Pine marten on a bin with attitude Cairngorm NP Martes martes 546 547 Pine marten guarding its bin with attitude Cairngorm NP Martes m 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 Red Squirrel resting on a bracket fungus Dipper collecting food Cinclus cinclus Oystercatcher in flaming grass Haematopus ostralegus Pine marten by a feild edge fence Cairngorm NP Martes martes
Life in a Cairngorm winter Landscape July 21, 2010Life in wild Scotland, Red Squirrels in Scotlandmike The winter of 2009 / 2010 was very challenging for the wildlife living in the Cairngorms National Park Scotland. This Gallery includes images of Red Squirrel, Red Deer and Red Grouse in snow and freezing temperatures. 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 534 535 Red deer turning in snow Red Deer Bucks looking winter snow Red Deer Buck in snow Red Deer in winter wood land 540 541 542 543 544
Life and Landscape at Ndutu July 12, 2010Life in the Serengetimike I planned and booked this safari direct with Roy Safaris based in Arusha Tanzania, we have used Roy Safaris to organize six safaris and totally recommend them. Roy Safaris are very experienced and give excellent advice when planning a safari. They deliver an outstanding service and experience not least because of their exceptional guides and well prepared vehicles. www.roysafaris.com 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 James Chitete sunrise at Ndutu 519 520 521 522 523 524 African wildcat