Scozmo's Photery

Is it a rallying call? Who for, why?

Nah, the Ericht is the river that flows through the Scottish town of Blairgowrie. There’s a park and car park that we use when we visit the town, there’s a walk that follows the river upstream a mile or two and there can be some great birds on it as well as the possibility of an Otter sighting. (One in three years!)

So on April 30th that’s where I was, I don’t remember why but I only walked a little way up the river and back again, however, it was a good photography day.

I walked down to the river for the main road through town, which makes a change, there’s a lovely weir just above the bridge with lovely stilled water just above that but, I’ve yet to see anything other than gull there. I did spot a Song Thrush foraging on the grass next to the path and it didn’t seem too bothered by my presence.

It had a good poke around for grubs and bugs, totally ignoring me.

I love it when I can get this close to a creature, some birds just go about their business and ignore you, quite often too.

A pair of Herring Gulls had settled on one of the rocks out in the middle of the flow, they’re there quite often.

Gulls get a bad reputation but awe caused it and they are always perfectly groomed and clean.

I carried on a little further up the riverside path.

Spotted a Collared Dove down to the water’s edge for a drink on the other bank, there are loads of them up here but they are very shy.

A group of Black-headed gulls got together in the water,I think they just wanted to proclaim their love for their chosen partner but, wow are they noisy about it? 🙂

Again, there are loads of them in this area at this time of year, gathered to nest and raise young, then off back to sea I guess?

Again, I wandered on and spotted what looks like young Crow or maybe Raven? Anyone?

I walked on and up the steps onto the main track; it’s that wild Garlic time of year and the ground is covered, the air thick with the scent.

There wasn’t a lot going on up there so I ended up coming back down to the river bank and an old Lade to sit and watch for the Kingfishers, usually a bright flash whizzing by, none today at all.

I did get this Black-backed Gull paddling its feet in the cool (freezing) water.

As I sat on the rocks watching, I spotted movement way back down towards where I’d started.

A Grey Heron stalking around on the opposite bank, there’s plenty fish and fresh water Crayfish in there.

I took a few shots and started walking back that way.

Doesn’t it look fed up in that shot?

Now, Herons can be a very obliging bird, photographically speaking and this one proved to be just that!

My guess, it had been in the water a few times, it kept shaking out its feathers.

Then it appeared as if it had just spotted itself in the water!

It’s great when animals do something while you’re photographing them, this one had stood staring for a good while.

A bit more shakin’ all over took place.

Then it got all shy!

before striking a fine pose for me 🙂

A bit more feather shaking took place before I decided to move on….

Of course, as I walked back up through the car park, the Heron took off and glided down the river, perfectly reflected in that still pool I mentioned at the start of this page!!!!

C’est la vie eh?

wanderings