High tide seals.

Posted on March 20, 2020 Posted in 365 Shutter Release Challenge 2015, Ireland, outdoors, wildlifeTagged Coastal, County Down, gulls, Hightide, Mute swan, Nikon cameras, nikon D750, seagulls, seals, sigma 150-600, Sigma lens, Wildfowl, wildlife, wildlife photography4 Comments

It was high tide on the County Down coast and I knew then would be little happening concerning wildlife. But also knowing high tide brings the seals to Cloghy rocks. It was a high tide has it covered the rock but the seals were there.

Heads and tails has they lay on the rocks below.

Next a couple of gull shots.

Blackheaded gull still in winter plumage.

Herring gulls.

The old windmill overlooking Portaferry.

And the final image a monochrome shot of a Mute swan taken on the Qouile River, Downpatrick.

Thank you for visiting and wherever you are stay safe.

George.

Black and White Wednesday

Posted on November 21, 2018November 21, 2018 Posted in Black and White Wednesday., outdoors, wildlifeTagged black and white photography, Black and White Wednesday., forest park, Hillsborough forest park, Hillsborough Lake, Lightroom, monochrome photography, Mute swan, nikon, nikon D750, Silver efex pro 2, swan, Tamron lens, walking, wildlife, wildlife photography4 Comments

This weeks shot come from my Sunday walk around Hillsborough Forest Park, County Down, Northern Ireland.

The Mute Swan.

This was edited in Lightroom then finished in Silver Efex Pro 2 which is a B&W editor.

Thank you for viewing and feel free to comment.

George.

Hillsborough Forest Park.

Posted on November 18, 2018 Posted in General, outdoors, wildlife, winterTagged autumn colour, autumn leaves, back lighting, Cormorant, cygnet, ferns, forest walking, Hillsborough, Hillsborough forest park, Hillsborough Lake, lake, Mute swan, nature photography, outdoor photography, outdoors, reflection, Sycamore, trail walking, walking7 Comments

On my way back home from picking up some decorating supplies I stopped of at Hillsborough forest park. Well I needed to get some air and a break from working. With the fine weather the park was busy and a parking spot was hard to find. I was in the park around 2.30 pm. This time of year the sun starts to set around 3.30 / 4 pm. So time to find a few shots on my walk around the lake. The low winter sun was throwing a warm light onto the lake and trees and I wasn’t the only photographer out and about.

Right lets get started.

Holly and cobwebs, the low sun back lighting and adding a rim light to the leaves and stems.

Blue skies and reflections.

The light breaking through the trees spot lighted these young ferns.

Sycamore leaf in its winter wardrobe.

I don’t know the name off this fungus , but if you were ever a Star Trex fan it might be call the Enterprise. Google it if you never saw it.

Mute swan Cygnet

Mute Swan.

A Cormorant taking off, it uses it feet to help it get airborne by pushing them against the water surface.

A more peaceful image of a duck silhouetted against the brightly light water.

Thank you for joining me,

George.

Natures lovers.

Posted on April 1, 2017April 13, 2017 Posted in GeneralTagged Bird watching, Black and white, Co. Monaghan, Irelands wildlife, Irish wildlife, lake, mating ritual, monochrome, monochrome photography, Mute swan, nikon, Nikon D7200, water fowl, wildlife8 Comments

There’s a different look on the lough, with the winter water fowl and duck’s away the summer residents have made a show. Back are the Great Crested Grebe, Mallard’s and the Mute Swan’s. Mute Swans pair up for life and seldom divorce. Courtship takes place in late winter with synchronised head dipping and necks and breasts pressed together. With their S shaped necks a heart shape forms during this ritual.

I shot this photograph last year and converted it to black and white. It shows the heart shape they form doing the above ritual.

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Thank you for visiting

342/365 Shutter release challenge

Posted on October 18, 2016 Posted in 365 Shutter release challenge, 365 Shutter Release Challenge 2015Tagged Birds, Black and white, Ireland, irish lough, lough, monochrome, monochrome photography, Mute swan, nature, Nikon D7200, reflections, Water birds, WildfowlLeave a comment

Shy

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Stopped today on my way home at a lough with around a dozen Mute swans in the field beside it. Some took to the water and this is the only one to strike this pose.

Thank you for viewing

332/365 Shutter release challenge

Posted on October 8, 2016 Posted in 365 Shutter release challengeTagged B & W, bird photography, Bird watching, Black and white, County Monaghan, Ireland, lough, monochrome, monochrome photography, Mute swan, Nikon D7200, reeds, swans, Water birds4 Comments

Reed Swan

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When out working around the garden I like to keep the camera handy, A couple of swan’s landed on the lough at the gardens edge. Walking down I got stood still till they got use me and managed to get a couple of shots before leaving them to their feeding. This shot was taken through some reeds which I did knowing they would be out of focus. I like the effect of them framing the swan.

Thank you for viewing

245/365 Shutter release challenge

Posted on July 13, 2016July 13, 2016 Posted in 365 Shutter release challengeTagged bird food, Bird watching, Black and white, blackandwhite, County Monaghan, HDR, Ireland, lough, love photography, monochrome, Mute swan, nature, Nikon D7200, outdoor, rain drops, swan, Swan grazing, wildlife, wildlife photography4 Comments

The rain swan.

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Was passing a local lough and saw a couple of swans grazing in a field beside it. I pulled into a small car park beside them and was able to take this shot through the open side window. I run it in HDR in Photoshop where it helped to bring out the rain.

Thank you for viewing.

109/365 shutter release challenge

Posted on February 18, 2016 Posted in 365 Shutter Release Challenge 2015Tagged 365 photograph challenge, Bird watching, Black and white, blackandwhite, love photography, monochrome, Mute swan, nature, Nikon D7200, outdoor, swan, water bird, wildlife, wildlife photographyLeave a comment

Watching

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Mute Swan.

Thank you for looking

George McNeill Photography

Tag: Mute swan

High tide seals.

Black and White Wednesday

Hillsborough Forest Park.

Natures lovers.

342/365 Shutter release challenge

332/365 Shutter release challenge

245/365 Shutter release challenge

109/365 shutter release challenge