Rathlin Walk 3: the wildlife

Posted on September 23, 2022September 23, 2022 Posted in Coastal, General, Ireland, outdoors, wildlifeTagged bird photography, Coastal, coastal birds, country walking, Ireland, love photography, Nikon cameras, Nikon D7200, outdoor, Rathlin ferry, Rathlin island, Sigma 150-600 zoom, Sigma lens4 Comments

My last post was about the walk out to Rue lighthouse. This is the photographs of the wildlife I took while out on the trail. I hopefully will give them the right I.D, so I hope you enjoy the photos.

So the first photos show the Eider duck.

Next up is three photos of a Curlew ( NUMENIUS ARQUATA)

A few more minutes along the coast a few more ducks showed up, I think these might be Male Mallard (eclipse) and a Wigeon (rufous female) at the back. The next photo is of a Wigeon (rufous female)?

The first bird to be photographed has I move away from the coast is a Stonechat (male) sitting on a wire fencing.

The Coot is up next, this is a very common bird here in Ireland found on all types of water ways.

The next bird I post on my last blog post has a Golden eye, after looking closer I think it’s a female Tufted Duck

I’m now off road and walking up towards the clipp top trail when I hear the call of a Buzzard (BUTEO BUTEO)

Just before the cliff top trail a flock of Curlew’s flew pass.

The next batch of photographs were taken from the ruin cottages down by the coast near Rue lighthouse

The walk back to Church Bay was by road, and it along the first mile this photo’s were taken.

Again I heard the call of Buzzards, this time there was two riding a thermal over the hills I had just walked. They were at the limit of my lens but I got this shot above.

This I’m not sure off but might be the Devil’s – bit Scabious.

Black Bird male. these birds will start to change their diet at this time of year. Feeding on more fruits in this case black-berries .

I have just got back to walking along the coast, a small sandy beach nests in the rocky coast line. I blimb down a take a seat on a sandy bank at it’s edge. It’s from here I get some of the small waders feeding here.

The last two images are Little Ringed Plovers .

I believe the two images above are of a Rock Pipit.

These are the last birds I photographed before entering the village. Again I’ll leave you with this photo of the Kelp house .

thank you for viewing

George mcNeill.

Rathlin Island

Posted on August 7, 2022August 7, 2022 Posted in Coastal, irish landscapeTagged landscape photography, Nikon cameras, Nikon D7200, Puffin, Rathlin ferry, Rathlin island, Razor bill, RSPB, RSPB reserve, sea birds, Sigma lensLeave a comment

Rathlin island sits about six miles off the north coast of Northern Ireland and around 11 miles from Scotland. In the spring/summer months sea birds in there hundreds converge here for the breeding season.

The Island is a dog leg shape around 8 mile long and around 1 mile wide, there are three lighthouses at the three points. The south lighthouse is closest to the N.Ireland shore, the East lighthouse looks out towards Scotland and it here that Robert the Bruce hid in a cave close to the lighthouse during the First War of Scottish Independence against England. He fought successfully during his reign to regain Scotland’s place as an independent kingdom and is now revered in Scotland as a national hero.

Looking across the Irish sea to Scotland 11 miles away from Rathlin. Island..

rathlincommunity.org

Its’ at the other end off the island the main centre for sea birds lies at the West lighthouse. It’s a reserve run by the RSPB and a bus runs from Church Bay out to the centre. The first thing is the noise from Thousands of sea birds fill the air and the other can be the smell that can fill the air if the wind blows in the wrong direction. But the sight you will never forget.

This is the top of one of the sea stacks, covered mostly with Guillemots.

https://abhainncruises.com/portfolio-items/rathlin-island-trip/

The above photo is from abhainncruises.com and is a view of the west lighthouse. It’s different from the normal due to the light being at the bottom, you can see it here in this image situated in front /bottom of the main building.

The next images will be from the main viewing platform which is on the left of this image.

Kittiwake nests on the ledges high above the shore. These are true seagulls, with non-breeding period spent entirely at sea.

Razorbill, note they lay there eggs on the rock without a nest. Another bird that is rarely seen outside the breeding season. It spends most of it time far out at sea.

Razorbill. A beautiful bird with it’s striking marking on the bill.

Fulmar: to me this is one of our most beautiful seabirds, And to watch them fly in to land is a marvel to watch. They approach at high speed looking like it not stopping, then land so softly. Or to watch them hang on the wind coming off the cliff faces, truly amazing. has the next photograph shows.

This is all from Rathlin at this time. Planning a walk around part of the Island soon.

thank you all for viewing, take care

George.

Before I go I’d like to say hello to Evelyn and her mum who chatted to me on the ferry back to Ballycastle. Thank you for taking time to look at some off my images and enjoy your life at university.

ATB George.

https://www.rspb.org.uk

http://www.rathlincommunity.org/visit

52 week Black and White

Posted on May 28, 2022 Posted in 52 week Black and WhiteTagged Black and white, blackandwhite, BMW Motorcycles, Ireland, irish homes, Irish photo rally, monochrome, motorcycle touring ireland, motorcycling, Nikon D7200, outdoor2 Comments

Week 10

I have missed a couple of week’s posts due to a bout of illness. But back on track, so we are going to Ballydevitt Cottage in County Londonderry . I have tried to find some history about this small cottage,without success.

I talked to a local couple but they are only a few years in the area, so at some point I will go back and see if I can get some information about it’s history.

This is another Irish photo rally point, it’s in Aghadowey, County Londonderry.

I’m going to add the coordinates which you can copy to Google maps and go to street view to see the location.

55. 03506100° – 6.64184700°

Have a great weekend and take care.

George☘️

52 week Black and White

Posted on May 10, 2022 Posted in 52 week Black and White, Coastal, Ireland, Motorcycling travel, outdoors, photo rallyTagged Black and white, Ireland, Irish photo rally, love photography, monochrome, Nikon cameras, Nikon D7200, outdoor, Sigma lensLeave a comment

Week 9

This week I’m in Downings (Na Dunaibh) in the north of County Donegal.

This photo is of the Laurentic Gun at Downings Pier.

The following links give the history of the gun the ship and the gold that it was carring when sunk. .

https://www.inishowennews.com/LGun.htm

https://www.whitestarhistory.com/laurentic1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Laurentic_(1908)

Thank you for visiting.

George ☘️

Jeff Wright Memorial Scramble

Posted on July 16, 2021 Posted in Moto X, motorcyclingTagged Black and white, classic motorcycle racing, classic motorcycles, Ireland, Jeff Wright memorial scramble, motor neurone disease association, Motorcycles, Nikon D7200, off road racing, outdoor, ulster classic motorcycle club3 Comments

Hello all, it’s been a few months since I last posted here on this blog. So finally the country is starting to open up again and this was the first the camera has been out bar a few photos around home. The Jeff Wright memorial scramble ( motocross being the more modern name) is run by the Ulster Classic Motorcycle Club ( http://www.ulsterclassicmotorcycleclub.com) They only allow bikes built before 31 Dec 1984 / air cooled/drum brakes to race at UCMCC events. All proceeds from this meeting go to Motor neurone disease association the disease that took the life of Jeff Wright.

The event was run at the Laurelbank MX Park in County Down Northern Ireland and owed by the Temple Motor cycle and Athletic club.

There where three grades of riders A,B and C, the photos posted are in no particular order and I apologize if I get any names wrong.

This block of images : 60 Billy Keenan 1973 400cc Husqvarna

204 John Guy 1982 480cc Honda

22 Johnny Reid 1977 400 Yamaha getting it sideways.

If you got this far, thank you. There are many more images for the race event, but hopefully you got a flavour of the evenings event. An event like this is not all about the racers but also about the people who attend the event. The families and friends who support the racers, the first aiders and organisers, the marshals who give there time so we can enjoy an evening like this in safety. Thank you all. To Raymond aka Nick a pleasure to meet you and hi to Billy Keenan ( number 60 ).

Stay safe and enjoy life

George.

Camera :Nikon D7200 with a Tamron SP 70 – 200 2.8 lens: ISO auto : Shutter speed priority.

Black & White Wednesday

Posted on December 9, 2020December 7, 2020 Posted in Black and White Wednesday., General, petsTagged Black and white, black and white photography, Black and White Wednesday., Cats, Co.Down, grumpy, monochrome, monochrome photography, Nikon cameras, Nikon D7200, Northern Ireland, pets, reflective light, Tamron lens, Tamron sp 70-2002 Comments

Hello to my visitors, hope you are all keeping well where-ever you are in our crazy world. This week I would like to meet a home invader. Been caught in my living room, sitting on my sofa, in my kitchen. But is always welcome to come in and get petted. So the other morning I was going out to the coast to do some photography, it was sitting on the doorstep and the sun was reflecting off the white van. So I grabbed the camera and took three or four photos. I turned one into this weeks B & W image. It was only when I looked at the finished photo I thought this is a grumpy looking cat. But it a very friendly and adores getting attention. Did you notice it sits with a front paw up like you would see some dogs do. It always sits like this, at first I thought it might have a sore paw ( hence the grumpy look) but seems to walk and run ok.

So this my house invader, always welcome to come in.

I used a Nikon D7200 fitted with a Tamron 70 – 200 mm SP lens.

Photo data: f/4, 1/60 sec shutter speed. ISO 100 and lens focal length 78 mm.

Thank you for visiting and be kind to all living things.

George.

Black & White Wednesday

Posted on September 16, 2020September 15, 2020 Posted in Black and White Wednesday., General, Ireland, outdoorsTagged Black and white, black and white photography, Black and White Wednesday., County Antrim, Grave yard, Graves, gravestone, history, Lambeg, Lambeg church, Lambeg parish church, monochrome photography, Nikon cameras, Nikon D7200, Northern Ireland, old headstones, Sigma 17-70 mm, Sigma lens, stone building, tome stoneLeave a comment

This weeks photograph is Lambeg parish church. It sits on the banks of the River Lagan a few miles from Lisburn. The first church dates back to 1598 with the possibly of one going as far back as 1306.

The oldest tome stone found in the graveyard dates back to 1626.

History link: http://www.s118536411.websitehome.co.uk/churches/Lisburn-churches/lambeg-parish-church.html#:~:text=HISTORY%20%2D%20Lambeg%20Parish%20Church,the%20tower%2C%20was%20completely%20rebuilt.

Camera: Nikon D7200 with a Sigma 17 – 70 mm lens

Data: ISO 100, f/16 @ 1/2 second

Focal length 17 mm.

Thank you and stay safe,

George

Black & white Wednesday

Posted on September 9, 2020September 8, 2020 Posted in Black and White Wednesday., General, Ireland, outdoors, petsTagged Black and white, black and white photography, Black and White Wednesday., country walks, County Monaghan, Dogs, gun dog, Ireland, love dogs, monochrome, monochrome photography, Nikon cameras, Nikon D7200, pets, Sigma 17-70 mm, Sigma lens, springer spaniel4 Comments

I took this photograph of Max about 4 years ago when I lived in County Monaghan here in Ireland. We would go on early morning walks around some of the local lough’s. He was in need of a trim has his wet muddy hair shows this up here. Just look at his face, eager to get back moving through the fields.

Hope he is still enjoying his walks, been a few years since I last seen him.

Take care and stay safe.

George.

Photo data: Nikon D7200 with a Sigma 17 – 70 mm lens.

1/100 sec @ f/4: focal length 70 mm : ISO 400

Black and White Wednesday

Posted on September 2, 2020August 31, 2020 Posted in Black and White Wednesday., Coastal, General, outdoors, WalesTagged Black and white, black and white photography, Black and White Wednesday., Blaenau Ffestiniog, Ffestiniog, Ffestiniog railway, Nikon cameras, Nikon D7200, North Wales, Porthmadog, rail tracks, Railway, railway track, Sigma 17-70 mm, Sigma lens, Steam trains, train, train photography, train travel, Wales, Wales railwaysLeave a comment

This shot was taken in Porthmadog, North Wales a couple of years ago. It’s one of the engines used on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway.

We traveled up to the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog which once was the slate capital of Wales. The slate quarried here has roofed buildings all over the world.

Ffestiniog railway

Photo details: Camera Nikon D7200 with a Sigma 17-70 mm lens.

f/5 @ 1/160 sec, ISO 100 Lens focal length 28 mm.

Thank you,

George.

Black & White Wednesday

Posted on August 26, 2020August 23, 2020 Posted in Black and White Wednesday., Coastal, Ireland, outdoors, wildlife, woodsTagged Black and white, black and white photography, Black and White Wednesday., County Down, Days out, family, Ireland, Irelands wildlife, nikon, Nikon D7200, Northern Ireland, outdoor playing, outdoors, Sigma 17-70 mm, Sigma lens, wild birds, Wildfowl, wildlife, wildlife photography, wildlife watching, woodland walks, woods, wwt.org2 Comments

Going for gunpowder, another photograph from Castle Espie. On the way through the woods we passed the old gunpowder store. nothing would do but a look insider. Not sure if he found any and there was nothing on the evening news. So all good.

I normally post one photograph each week on B & W Wednesday but this week I am posting another from Castle Espie. A view across Strangford lough to Scrabo Tower. I meant to post this with another view across Strangford lough I posted a few weeks back.

Looking across Strangford lough to Scrabo Hill.

Some info below:

https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie

http://celtandkiwi.com/scrabo/

Thank you for dropping by.

George.

http://celtandkiwi.com/scrabo/

George McNeill Photography

Tag: Nikon D7200

Rathlin Walk 3: the wildlife

Rathlin Island

52 week Black and White

52 week Black and White

Jeff Wright Memorial Scramble

Black & White Wednesday

Black & White Wednesday

Black & white Wednesday

Black and White Wednesday

Black & White Wednesday