Our day out...

I thought I'd share with you some photos of a recent day out - the weather was just beautiful. Since then we've had gales, hail, rain and one morning we even woke up to snow :shock:

Our first stop was the Findhorn Valley - it's a good place to spot the extremely rare and elusive Golden Eagle, but we were not in luck that day. :( We did however see Peregrine, Raven and a Red Deer Stag who was really close to a house! We got quite close to him, but unfortunately misplaced the memory card from my camera with the photos of him on! It fell down the side of a cliff, hubby nearly went with it icon_yikes but was ok!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...FIndhorn-T.jpg


We drove up through the hills, and came across a dead mountain hare - rather sad, but the first I've ever seen, dead or alive.

A later stop was by the beautiful Loch Farr - a small loch, which you come upon by surprise as you round a bend in the road -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...-Loch-Farr.jpg


hubby photographing the loch!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...otographer.jpg


Rupert waiting patiently in the car

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...ing-Rupert.jpg


and Princess Peaches

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...ng-Peaches.jpg


We then went to Glen Affric - on the way seeing a Red Squirrel crossing the road - they are quite rare now, it's the first we've seen in 2 years of living in Scotland.

The small birds there are obviously used to being fed - this little Chaffinch was trying to get into the car with me, to have some Hot Cross Bun!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...-sharpened.jpg


The day was rounded off nicely with a sunset on the way home {Dornoch firth}

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...ril-outing.jpg
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gorgeous pictures!!!! I'd love to go to Scotland. Have you always lived there? Thanks for posting.

Nicki, Thanks for the Scotland hills and lochs fix! icon_thumbsup

They were just the ticket for me this morning!

Nice photography work, btw!

Barb

Thanks - we're both very keen on photography, I have a little Canon Powershot A 85, which I had for Christmas but am still learning to use :roll:

Hubby has a Canon EOS 20D - he took the Findhorn Valley photo.

Rosalie, we've been here almost 2 years. We were living in Norfolk previously, and prior to that in the South East.

We moved here for the peace and quiet, wildlife, scenery and the people - it's a wonderful area to live, and we know how lucky we are! :D

This is our cottage - it needs a lot of work, but will be wonderful when it's finished!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...nowcottage.jpg

There is something about the light in Scotland, and your photos have caught it!

Your cottage looks wonderful.. what kind of work are you doing on it?

Barb

What beautiful pictures. You just want to sit and look at them for a few minutes and draw a deep breath.

Oh those are just gorgeous -- all the scenery, with or without dogs! :lol: Those bare hills are similar to the west of Ireland, yet somehow Scotland and Ireland are always different in feel, too.

I always think of vanishing to a cottage... what a beautiful home; I bet there are both frustrations and joys for you in renovating an oldie! I loved finding things like salvaged iron fireplaces to put back into my Dublin house (built around 1899); also the workmanship on the plank floors, still tightly fitting after 100 years.

Please more pics when you have days out like this! icon_drivingcar

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing your piece of the world. I love your cottage!!

Nicki, I really enjoyed the photos of N.E. Scotland. I just adore your little cottage. Looks like something artist, Thomas Kincaid, would use in one of his paintings.

What is the difference between a firth and a loch? :?

Count me among those wanting to see more photos. icon_banana

Dorothy
Washington cavtiny

What beautiful pictures! So peaceful. I love the bird and of course Rupert and Princess Peaches.