Photographers – Think Differently..
This weeks photography come from the small coastal town of Killough . It sit’s on the County Down coast looking across the Irish sea towards the Isle of Man. It shows the old windmill that overlooks the harbour end of the town from where this shot was taken.
Link to some history of Killough. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killough#Places_of_interest
Thank you for visiting,
Regards
George.
Great Black-backed gull. First winter plumage. These gulls are the largest gull we get in the UK and Ireland. At a height of 64-78 cm and a wingspan of 150 – 165 cm. These gulls are as large has most geese.
This shot was taken on the shore of Strangford lough, County Down, Northern Ireland.
So I’ve been a little quiet on the blog, I’ve been busy moving to my new place to live. So for the first in a month I had a few hours to spare and it being a beautiful autumn day here I took a drive to the County Down coast. A few gentle walks and just parking up in other spots, it was an easy day. Chatted to a couple of other photographers and those just out for a stroll. So a few photos from today, Think the title might give a clue…
Grey Heron ( Ardea cinerea )
A Curlew ( Scolopacidae ) I spooked from its resting place.
Black headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) in winter plumage.
In full song a Robin ( Erithacus rubecula )
A couple of Cormorants ( Phalacrocoracidae )
Not a 100 percent but I think this is called a Skiff. So if any person knows what they are could you let me know. Check this link
The Grey Seal ( Halichoerus grypus ) and they are not all grey in colour.
Heading back towards Strangford.
Next a few shots of the Little Egret ( Egretta garzetta )
these birds flying in the photo’s are Lapwings ( Vanellinae )
Peace at last..
Unless he know’s different..
Don’t like the look of him..
So like my flying friend it’s time to go, hope you enjoyed the day out and you will join me another time. Thank you and take care.
George.
So at a loose end I grabbed the camera gear and headed for the coast. a lovely spring morning and sunshine. Here in Ireland a day of sun here in spring time is rare, well one without rain. The winds along the Newcastle to Ardglass coast was strong and still cold. Not much wild life around it was a day just to get some air. When I got around to the Strangford Lough side of the coast the wind was a light breeze. So parked up I went for a walk. Sat on some rocks and watched the world drift by. Then a Spaniel dog appeared chasing a ball down the sand. Grabbed the ball and ran back from where he came from. With great excitement he reappears chasing down the ball. Thought I would move and get some photos. I saw a lady throwing the ball , I loved the action and excitement here. So the first photograph captures this moment.
It was time to move a little further along the coast, again not much wildlife around. So enjoyed the sunshine and chilled out. Then a Red shank arrived, prodding its bill into the mud in search of food.
I like the reflections has it entered small pools left by the tide receding, this next shot is a little play on the reflection.
I chopped in on the reflection and turned it 180 degrees so it looks like its feeding.
The next is common here in this part of Ireland, the Great Black backed Gull. They are the UK and Ireland’s largest gulls, around the size for a goose.
They have a wing span around 1.7 metres and masters in flight. With the sun dropping lower in the sky and a chill returning in the wind I started for home. A few mile down the road and I spotted some seals basking on the rocks. Yes it was park up time and with camera and tripod I found a spot close to them but far enough away so I wouldn’t disturb them. We have two types of seals in Ireland . The common seal and the grey seal. Here’s a link for anyone who wishes to find out more about them. Seals in Ireland.
This is the Common Seal.
And a couple of Grey Seals. Please note its not the colour that gives them there name.
A Gray enjoying the evening sun.
Here we have Brent Geese feeding along the shallows.
A dispute about who own’s this section of the dinner plate. With the sun low and even with a coat, scarf and gloves the cold was seeping into my body I packed up the gear and headed for home. I had been out on the coast for over eight hours, when not photographing I love to sit with a scope and watch the interaction in wildlife. think we humans could learn from them.
Thank you for visiting.
George.
George McNeill Photography 
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