By 9am it wasn't much lighter and I was on the Ferry from Corran to Ardgour - a 6 minute journey which saves about 35 minutes driving. It was a misty morning but not cold and even as I looked out of the car window as the ferry docked I realised there would still be plenty of photo opportunities.
By now I realised that my trust Nikkor 80-400mm VR lens was not going to be coaxed back into life so I was stuck - if that's the word with an 18-55mm VR, a Sigma 50-500mm and the iPhone panorama function which still provides endless pleasure. I also took some video footage using my D7000 and did some digiscoping applying the phone camera to the eyepeice of my Opticron HR 80 telescope.
No excuse for bad photos then - well I'll leave you to judge that. Irrespective of the results, it was one of the most enjoyable days photography I've ever had largely because, thanks to the weather, the light and land and water changed by the minute. My route barely explored the grandeur of this bit of rock - here's where I went:
View Ardnamurchan Trip in a larger map
First stop was to look across to Loch Leven where the mist and the light played tricks with form and distance.
By the time I reached the approach to Strontian the weather was clearing and the cloud hung around the hill tops.
Thereafter it was simply a process of turning a corner in the road, gasping at the beauty and taking a photo - nature did the rest.
And when I did stop there was wildlife aplenty. A white Tailed Eagle flew over my car in Strontian, at loch side stop an otter and at the end point of my trip I sat and watched Ravens and then a Golden Eagle riding the updraft here beyond Glenbeg.
My wildlife photos were limited - the big birds prefer to shy away from humans - as were my captures of the flora and trees and the fascinating geology - all the more reason to go back...
The seals at Garbh Ailean viewpoint near Ardley were especially obliging - less so the otters. But this Red Brested Merganser captures the strangeness of this world. A sawbill, not a duck - so called because its serrated bill allows it to grip fish. His striking head dress, daring red eye and dramatic plumage somehow redolent of all the qualities of this land - I'll be keen to visit again to sample more.
As usual more photos here
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