Glen Tanar. Aberdeenshire

Occasionally I do a blog of something 'off island' and this is one of those (but you will note its still in Scotland).  I recently stayed at Glen Tanar in Aberdeenshire, a small estate tucked nicely into the Royal Deeside area and another haven for wildlife (Eagles, Osprey, Black Grouse, Deer).

An area seeped in history with plenty of historic sites and interesting architecture.

Like Arran there is plenty of walking around on mixed low and high level paths, and it has to be said that even in May there was snow on the tops.  But I was here for a bit of R & R, so didn't plan any major mountain excursions.

The Gnome house

Wandering around the many marked and easy going paths I came across this little building which I nick-named the Gnome house (for no reason whatsoever).  At the side of the 'Water of Tanar' I could see it had been some type of pump, fallen into disrepair.  A conversation or two later and I understand it was a turbine that helped provide the power for the little church nearby (Chapel of St. Lesmo) and the organ.

Scenic Trout Loch

I decided to take an evening land rover safari through the Estate, escorted by Mike the Ranger and we bumped and climbed up forest tracks, through some amazing woodland and ancient forest.  The deer frequently skirted our path and cross the track - always scampering away as soon as the camera got anywhere near.

Views across the valley at dusk.

Not that I expected to get any great images going out in drizzle as the light was fading.  But that tends to be when wildlife is quite active and I was really wanting to scout the area for future visits.

The Estate is known for Ospreys, hen harriers and eagles.

The Osprey nest (seriously cropped image using a 400mm lens) was visible in the distance with 'mum' low down on the eggs.  We keep our distance so as not to disturb this fabulous bird at such a crucial time of breeding.

A small amount of cloud inversion as the last of the light faded.

Every time I asked to stop, Mike obliged and I took the odd snap to try to capture the quiet feel of the evening as the temperatures dropped and light faded.

'Luxury'

And a surprise hamper appeared with some biscuits made by 'Liz' and lots of hot coffee before we moved on.  Beats my old camping stove that I use for my clients - think I may have to upgrade!

Sky lights

But the night drew in and we managed to have a quick look at a few spots before returning back to the main Estate. Including a little spot called the 'traveller's rest'. A small area, where there are stones to sit on and little carvings in the rocks (a feature across the estate to be looked out for).

 And as you can imagine it was placed at a point just after a steep section of track (depending on whether you were going up or down).

The land rover stopped at the 'Rest'

I found the Estate peaceful and welcoming, I will be going back.  And for anyone looking for a big wedding venue (over 100) just look at where they hold the ceremony (Ballroom).

The Ballroom at Glen Tanar House 

Visit Arran (A to Z challenge)

Visit Arran stand

 Visit Arran works tirelessly to promote our little island as a tourist destination.  The Isle of Arran is known as Scotland in Miniature as it seems to have everything, in particular mountains and wildlife (red squirrel, red deer, golden eagle, seals and otters).

Sheila in the office

Sheila runs the day to day working, getting businesses on board, going to exhibitions, running the website & social media and is supported by a board of directors.  Amazingly, the ferry to Arran is only an hour from Glasgow on the direct train line (a bit less by car).  And if you've been following this blogging challenge you will already know a little about the island and some things that can be found.

Find Visit Arran at an exhibition and you may get a free bag!

Red Squirrels (A to Z challenge)

The Isle of Arran is a haven for these little creatures who are slowly being pushed out of mainland Britain by the bigger greys (and also by the pox carried by the greys).

For those who follow my blog, you will have already read about ‘stumpy’ the one with half a tail, who after a short absence has just reappeared this week.

The colour range of this little creature, is from a light orangey red right through to almost black.  They have amazing long fingers (or should I say toes - apparently they actually have fingers and toes on each paw - not sure if I believe this) and claws and swivelling joints on the ankle that allow it to sprint down tree trunks without falling.

Young squirrels are called kittens. Oh and squirrels can swim! There are some more amazing facts on this link .

Deer of the red variety and a Double blog day! (A to Z challenge)

Yes madness set in a while ago but it truly is starting to show as I now try to juggle two challenges, one lasting a whole year and the other just for the month of April.  But trying to blog daily is a little scary, and I am doing it to try to improve my writing skills and not the image side. 

Stag during rut

Red deer abound on the Isle of Arran and there is much history surrounding the herds and previous land estate owners who take on the responsibility of managing the numbers.

On the hill sides and in the glens herds roam and can easily be seen even from the road (especially along the String and Boguillie).  The red deer that inhabit the mountains and forests are wild and will move away from people, unlike the herds that gravitate around Lochranza.  These are less fearful of people and this can lull visitors into a false sense of believing the animals are tame.  Beware they are NOT!  During the rut, males can become especially aggressive and the antlers are lethal weapons.  Likewise the deer do not like dogs and will frequently attack lose dogs that approach too closely (as the local vet can testify)!  Two stags fighting over a harem, can be a violent affair if earlier posturing has not deterred one of them.  Antlers get broken and deep gouges / stab wounds may cause the death of a rival (meanwhile the females / hinds graze on).

Mountain stag

The deer shed their antlers every year and these can sometimes be found lying in the heather.  Tiny scratch marks on these are caused by small voles and mammals gnawing to ingest vital minerals.The Lochranza deer are attracted to the lush green grass of the golf course – an amusing hazard for Arran golfers (not just the deer but also the poo).

Close up of antler showing lethal points

Further information about the deer and peculiarities can be found on these links:-

Red deer on Arran

Strange antlers on red deer

Spring has sprung! (Days 51 - 60)

Amazing how a little sunshine makes everyone feel so much better.  Being able to go for a walk in just a jumper and leaving the back door open to allow the fresh air to blow through, without a puddle in the porch. Not that all of the last 10 days has been lovely!

Day 51 - First day of spring

It seemed fitting on the first day of spring to photograph one of my many daffodils before they got smashed to the ground in high winds and more torrential rain.

Day 52 - Mist netting to ring birds

The return of Siskins and Goldfinches to my garden tempted the islands only licensed bird ringer to put up a mist net as I had noticed that none of my birds had rings.  My garden could easily be mistaken for an Alfred Hitchcock set when large flocks have a feeding frenzy.  It's not unusual to have over 100 birds at the same time. Needless to say, the birds aren't quite as stupid as we think and many managed to avoid the nets.  I did however, find out that I have a lot more Coal tits than expected - 17 in 2 hours - and I still see lots without rings.

Day 53 - Beach hut at Dougarie

Monday is my busiest day of the week and I ended up snapping a shot of the beach hut at Dougarie. Believe it or not this is a listed building.  I always thought that a building had to be 'special' to get listing status so I'm not sure how a beach hut qualifies.

Day 54 - Shovelling seaweed at Machrie Bay Golf Course

 Work continues on the island to repair damage from the earlier storms, and this could take months if some of it is ever repaired at all! The Machrie Bay Golf Course sea defences are badly damaged allowing the sea, rocks and weed to collect on the first tee.  So much debris was deposited, the only way to clear it was to bring in a digger.

Day 55 - Uninspired

 Wet, windy, cold and feeling a bit grumpy (due to having a cold), I totally lacked inspiration or energy.  The dog walk was short and although I had my camera, my head was down as I trudged along a path.  Barbed wire seemed a fitting photo to illustrate my mood - especially as I didn't make a good job of it!

Day 56 - Dried 'thistles'

I keep seeing these thistle type dried seed heads on my walks.  I have no idea what they are, but I quite like the look of them.  What you can't see in this photo is the little bit of blue sky, that sets them off perfectly (I'll have to post that one on my facebook page).

Day 57 - Brodick Bay 

For anyone who follows my facebook page, this photo may seem familiar.  It's on one of my regular walks and last year I took a student to this point for some landscape work.  It's a lovely view but it was a bit windy - actually more gusty than windy.  Once gust actually rocked my tripod, and its not a light one!

Day 58 - Budha

Weekend again, but no rest for me as I had holiday cottages to photograph and a few other requests including hens and this Buddha. After balancing on a beam to photograph a mezzanine floor, used as a bedroom, without incident, the calm of the Buddha and meditation area were lovely.

The news tonight was dominated by the highest temperatures of the year so far and how people were out on the beaches, typical of a 'Londoncentric' BBC broadcast.  We, meanwhile were still wrapped in cloud and rain. Meanwhile I found some fungi on a rotten log to photograph. But next week is looking good.

Day 60 - Hen

The hens previously mentioned on Sunday (Day 58), were not overly cooperative, although I did get quite a nice shot of the cockerel.  They are all Rhode Island Reds - lovely birds and good layers.  I will keep going back until I get the shots required, and the hen did come out of the scrub on my last visit - although she kept turning her back on me I did manage this shot. 

Day 58 - Cockerel 

Had to put in the extra photograph as he was strutting his stuff so well!

A red squirrel's tail

Here's a tale about a red squirrels tail.

Introducing Stumpy the red squirrel

I am very lucky to have red squirrels visit my garden on a regular basis along with many wild birds, voles, mice and some other less desirable wildlife.  I spend many an hour watching out of my window and have placed feeders in strategic places, where I can see them but the wildlife feels safe to visit - and is also safe from predators such as cats and more exotic hunters such as the sparrow hawk.

Stumpy's tail

Mr Blacks tail

Like a lot of people I give some of my visitors nick names.  I cannot understand why this is frowned upon, arguments being that 'we' are projecting human personalities and traits upon wild creatures or become too involved and attached.  Well I disagree and find it a really useful tool to help me identify different members of the same group and also invest into their welfare.

Stumpy in the box

A full sized tail 

So let me introduce Stumpy.  Now you may notice that it is not a flattering name albeit apt, and that tends to be the nature of how I name my wildlife.  Well that's apart from Scary Fred, the 8 legged beast that occasionally visits my living room, and I know is likely to be female (because of her size) but I digress.

Lack of a tail does not seem to affect Stumpy balance

So Stumpy is one of a group of 4 red squirrels that visit daily, especially at this time of year.  Stumpy is at least 3 years old as this is the 3rd winter of visiting my feeder and he is very easy to identify due to his stumpy tail.  The first time I spotted him I did not have a feeder in place and as he never stayed still or in full sight I was not sure about his tail, but the last couple of years he has sat happily on the table giving me ample opportunity to compare his tail with that of Mr Black, and Red - two of my other regulars. The fourth squirrel, Flash, named for the very bright white flash on his front and the speed he moves is a less frequent visitor and rarely sits on the feeder.
 

Stumpy defends the feeding box

Stumpy's tail does not seem to impair his ability to survive or move in the trees.  Tails are primarily used for balance but they are also used to keep warm in winter by wrapping them around the body when sleeping and also in summer to keep cool, as the squirrel pumps more blood into the tail to help dissipate heat.  Neither does it make him subservient to the other squirrels and he defends the table should another visit at the same time.

Meet some of my other 'named' visitors....

Fat Controller

Mr White

The love birds

All photo's copyrite of Arran in Focus

Delightfully deadly digitalis

Foxgloves are probably one of the most easily recognisable plants and are currently in full bloom around the island.  

These colourful spikes of flowers can grow up to 2.5 meters tall and vary in colour from deep purple through shades of pink and even pure white. They are particularly fond of acidic soil, which is probably why they do well on Arran.

The name foxglove can be traced back to the 1300’s and maybe even further.  The Latin name Digitalis purpurea refers to its shape which can be fitted over a human digit (fingertip). In the south of Scotland it is sometimes called ‘bloody fingers’ and in the north ‘deadman’s bells’.

The tubular flowers, seen between June and September attract a range of insects, but are mostly popular with bees.  

The insects enter into the flower and become covered in pollen.  Once the flower falls away a pod of brown rectangular seeds can be found. A plant can produce over 2 million seeds in its lifetime!

The foxglove has been used for medicinal purposes for over 200 years and is best known for its production of digoxin – a drug used as a stimulant to treat the heart.  As it is rich in digoxin it can also be poisonous if taken unawares and although poisoning is rate it can be confused with harmless plants such as comfrey which can be made into tea.