Innse Gall (Isles of the Gael)

[David Kilpatrick]

Greg, in Scotland some lochs have deep layers of deep water which we are told could be thousands of years old. The water sits there, unaffected by currents or warmth, never moving - like layers of earth almost.

David

[Greg Beetham]

Yes I could believe the layer effect there would be some very oxygen poor layers in the deeper Lochs...no vegitation or fish down there..maybe some kind of crustaceans perhaps but I don't know about that for sure. Looks like they never did find Nessie after all that searching; so no Plesiosaurs left alive...that would have been exciting; but not possible in a Loch with not much to eat, although there might be trout for all I know, in the surface layers.
Greg

[david antony]

Thoroughly enjoying all these holiday scenes Birma. Thanks for sharing.
Now put your boots on & go get some more. ;^)

[Birma]

Thanks for the all of the comments guys. Much appreciated .

Great pictures of Loch Coruisk Alphaomega. That is still on my "to do" list, although I will probably wimp out and take the boat trip .

Greg, you are right that Skye is a fascinating place. It has something for the natrualist, the geologist, the historian, the mountaineer, the hiker, not to mention the world class brewery and distillery .

We are now on Harris (the Outer Hebrides or Western Isles). We had a very pleasant ferry crossing on Saturday and were lucky we were not trying to cross on the Friday when it had been very rough apparently. Harris has already shown us some beautiful weather as well as high winds and rain. Here is a short collection from the last two days.

Harbour Light by Birm, on Flickr
A700 and Tamron 17-50/2.8

Taransay Sound 1 by Birm, on Flickr
A700 and Tamron 17-50/1.8. A lucky break in the bad weather occured almost as we stepped on the the beach on Saturday.

[Birma]

More from Saturday afternoon.

Luskentyre Reflections by Birm, on Flickr

North Harris Hills by Birm, on Flickr

Both with A700 and Tamron 17-50/2.8.

[Birma]

From Saturday evening.

Toe Head Sunset by Birm, on Flickr
The sunset never cam to anything, but there was still some great light.

Evening Rain by Birm, on Flickr
Just to show it is not all sunshine and blue skies .

Both with A700 and Tamron 17-50/2.8

[Birma]

From today, Sunday.

North Harris Hills Across Luskentyre Sands by Birm, on Flickr
From our morning walk. The tide goes out a long way here .

Squall Coming by Birm, on Flickr
We were chased back to our house by this squall - it won .

A700 amd Tamron 17-50/2.8.

You can see all of my Harris pics on Flickr here http://www.flickr.com/photos/blodandbir ... 587127370/

[Greg Beetham]

Great set of shots Birma, I'm amazed at the complexity of the surroundings, the convoluted coastline of bays, inlets, islets, hills and bluffs and the lovely beach, (looks like the beach on Cape York peninsular friends have been there and brought back photos), did you notice if was there any fish or bait moving about in the shallows?
Greg

[Dr. Harout]

Wonderful set, Birma. North Harris needs a bit of PP, too much purple.
Toe Head sunset is so beautiful, readily to hang on a wall.
More more and more.

[Winston]

Superb.

[gio67]

great stuff Birma, I love that last one

[aster]

Hi Birma,

How many shades of blue there are! If the weather makes for such changes that look incredible for photo-shooting, I wouldn't mind carrying around an extra layer of clothes...plus camera gear. : )

Beautiful glittering seascape and mirror-like sandy shores... The tide makes quite a difference to the appearance of the whole coastline.


Looking forward to more!

Yildiz

[Birma]

Thanks Doc, Greg, Gio, Winston and Yildiz .

Greg, there have been Gannets and Shags fishing in the estuary for the last few days and the beach is littered with countless millions of fresh sea-shells (mussles, cockles, razorshells, limpets, etc. etc.) and so I think it has a pretty healthy eco-system. The coast line is truely complex which I suppose is part of the charm, something different around every corner .

Doc, thanks for the feedback - you're right - I think I was overly heavy handed with the Levels setting - I have re-pp'd the shot - see below.


North Harris Hills Across Luskentyre Sands a by Birm, on Flickr
Second attempt at pp - better?

Some new pictures.


Evening in the Dunes by Birm, on Flickr

[Birma]

An attempt at a long (ish) exposure shot on evenning. Converted to B&W, partly as there was little colour anyway, and partly becuase there was some purple hint added by the filter. Biggest problem was rain drops on the filter front - I left them in as memories of a blustery evening .


Toe Head from Luskentyre - LE by Birm, on Flickr

Another evening, another B&W conversion - thise time a regular exposure and I just like the tones and textures in this shot.

Toe Head from Luskentyre 2 by Birm, on Flickr

[Birma]

In a change to the regular landscape stuff, I 'chased' some waves today with the camera during pretty stormy conditions. Waders may have been a better choice of footwear, rather than walking boots .


Windy Rollers 1 by Birm, on Flickr

Light was a tad flat so tried some close-ups as well.


Sea Shells by Birm, on Flickr