Highlands & Skye 2017 - Part Two

Day 4: May 1st

It would be difficult to better yesterday! We set off fairly early, heading for Skye but not by any direct route. John took a very rare photograph at one of our break stops. Me. He was hoping for wood warbler but I was all he could find! Woodland stop Sorry I'm not always precise about the locations: perhaps I should fill in my notes more assiduously!!

Near Achnasheen wagtails were showing along with hirundines at the railway station. Near there ravens were seen atop a pylon. Ravens

They flew off. I like a nice bif! [birds in flight] Raven Anyway, we stopped for lunch near Shieldaig. A wheatear bounced around. Wheatear Wheatear

Wheatear Applecross was our big stop of the day. Probably because I wasn't paying attention I didn't really know why we were going there. It sounded like a long uphill walk. In the end I probably walked no more than 600m. All for just a couple of birds...

One peeped over a rock at us. Ptarmigan Wonder if he knows how to spell his name? Ptarmigan.

For me one of the two main highlights of the holiday. Here they come, male and, less noticeable, prettily marked female. Ptarmigan

Ptarmigan Ptarmigan Ptarmigan Ptarmigan Ptarmigan Ptarmigan Ptarmigan Ptarmigan Ptarmigan

We reached our hotel on Skye late afternoon. A brief stop at the wrong hotel gave me a chance of a hooded crow photo - they can be easily seen but wary of photographers. Got this one! Hooded Crow Hooded Crow

Day 5: May 2nd

A boat trip from Portree to see white-tailed eagles. For me the memories are unforgettable. Porpoises, dolphins and the eagles. Here's a few reminders.

Leaving Portree out into the Raasay Sound. Portree Leaving Portree Red-throated divers seen shortly after leaving harbour - into the sun made lighting tricky. Red-throated Diver Red-throated Diver Eagles spotted standing like guardians of their empire on rocks by the water's edge. Waiting for us perhaps to throw some fish overboard... White-tailed Eagle White-tailed Eagle

Now for the really tricky bit: could I get a sharp shot as the eagle came for the fish... Only want one! White-tailed Eagle Good, but not quite.

That'll do. White-tailed Eagle Flying off. White-tailed Eagle Up on the rocks the crows harassed the eagle for morsels. White-tailed Eagle White-tailed Eagle

White-tailed Eagle White-tailed Eagle White-tailed Eagle Black guillemots, guillemots and shags all seen too. Black Guillemot Guillemots Very good crest. Shag Seals basking in the wonderful weather we were so lucky to enjoy. Nowhere in Britain had it better than us! Seal Not forgetting the dolphins. Next time, if there ever is one, I must spend longer trying to photograph these fabulous animals... Dolphin

Quick shopping trip back at Portree. No, I didn't buy a yacht. View from Portree We set off for the Trotternish peninsula. Great scenery all day. The cliffs of Staffin and Kilt Rock. Kilt Rock, Skye Lunch overlooking Staffin Island where bonxies [great skuas] nest. I managed to home in on one. Bonxie Bonxie

End of Part Two