Magic Moments

Some Magic moments for me over the past few months. This photo of the Pen falling asleep just 3 feet away from me, completely relaxed in my presence, I felt very privileged.

Then her trying to get off the ice in the harbour, very amusing.

The next was a sequence of shots pre - mating, very beautiful and very Swan lake indeed.

The pair then trying to get rid of the intruder cob that was trying to take over their patch!

I was fortunate enough to see them escort the intruder away towards the old bar.

Was also very lucky to get an excellent flight shot of a young swan that visited the river.

The Cob staring at the Cormorant drying off on the pontoon.

Just a few of the natural images that give me a buzz !

What a rate of growth in a month !

By yon Bonnie brae ?

Looks like the brae is about to open for business. I bet the shop owners will be glad, and sad that the glorious weather has turned into the usual Scottish summer !

Surely we'll get some more good weather again soon.

Welcome relief for the Angling fraternity, at long last a summer Spate!

Enclosed pic of Salmon under the merryton bridge a few years back, the anglers will be hoping for more of the same up the river tomorrow!


The river has been extremely low for weeks due to the Costa Del Moray weather we are sometimes blessed with. It might suit the sun worshipers, but the anglers are keen to wet a line with the grilse surely running now?

As it happens, I saw a grilse turning at the entrance to the harbour last night, so that's a good sign.

The river has been full of weed and virtually unfishable, this spate should shift some weed at least.

The Swans have had an abundant food supply of weed, which is just as well with all those cygnets to feed. They are growing at a rate of knots and are starting to show their individuality, the parents are now letting them stray slightly from the tight formation they have held since hatching. Enclosed photo of them feeding on weed at the harbour entrance beginning of June.

Also yesterday where they were above the road bridge looking for pastures new!

4th of July

Lovely to hear the skirl o' the pipes permeating through the Town yesterday the 4th July.

Beautiful weather, and am sure any towrist's would have been impressed with the fine medley from Nairn and District Pipe Band.

Camera or Binoculars ?

I suppose if I was a true twitcher I would be walking around the river with a pair of binoculars. Savouring the sights for my eyes only, and getting an image which disappears as soon as I drop the binoculars.

I have to say I prefer the big picture with a modern digital camera, I might not get the instant satisfaction clarity and resolution, but i can capture the image forever. In addition when i put the shots onto the Blog they are here to be savoured by all.

With the use of Shank's Pony and the digital camera, the following images were taken on my usual Nairn rounds.

And finally the humour caption. "I told you, I have a headache!"

Now, aren't you all happy that I don't use Binoculars ?

Last survivor, but for how long in this water ?

All day today the River Nairn has been running very dirty, with the low water conditions the lack of oxygen must be even less with the dirty water. It did not appear to be spate water because the river level did not change, i can only assume it is either someone working in or near the river, or some sort of leakage. I phoned SEPA and reported it in the evening, i am not happy with the colour and i do detect a smell, i hope it's not sewage going straight onto the summer beaches !

gull study

This is for all those people out there that think i only observe Swans and ducks.

This evening down at the harbour entrance I witnessed one of the most violent gull fights i have ever seen. I was sure it was going to result in the death of one of them.

The fight was already under way when I arrived on the scene. One gull was trying to throttle and drown the other one and it was pretty well exhuasted when it finally broke free, and amazingly able to take off with sodden body and wings.

The remaining pics are last years gulls but it is being repeated again right now, in fact I have two nests on my roof and 4 chicks, what a mess my property is in !

Herring gulls are extremely good parents as everyone knows if they happen to go near their chicks !

pics will enlarge.