Saturday, May 31, 2008

Scotland's Little Critters

Springtime is "lambing" season and wherever you went, these adorable balls of fluff could be found in the fields but more often than not on the roads or lying on the road getting warm from the ashphalt. The fences were constructed for someone else.



The peacocks wandered the grounds of many castles and palaces, totally unphased by the people trying to capture their photos. They would communicate in a "screaching" voice from one end of the property to the other.


While at Craignure, Mary our hostess let us in on an opportunity to view otters that would come about in the early evening. Although I did not have my really long lens with me on this trip, I was fortunate enough to capture a mom and her baby.

Dunrobin Castle had a very informative falconry exhibition and we were able to see some beautiful birds. The handler was entertaining and had the different falcons, hawks and owls performing happily. Peter, the owl seemed to be the most mature "actor" and was given the opportunity to sit on the bench and have his picture taken with people. Ted really enjoyed the opportunity to be so close to such a beautiful specimen. This falconry exhibition is definitely a "must see event" for anyone travelling in the north eastern side of Scotland.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Sheri & Scott

Sherri & Scott joined with me on Saturday at Carleton University to have their engagement photos taken. Both graduates and working in the fields of computer science, they were a relaxed and fun couple to photograph. Having worked with them in redesigning my website, Inevitable Gravity Web Design, I knew they would be up to any suggestions. I'm looking forward to working with this great couple again on their wedding day, July 12th in Ottawa.
.

Jennifer, A Beautiful Senior

Our senior high school students preparing to move on towards college, work, travel or any other number of ventures are wonderful subjects in portraiture. Jennifer is a great example of the young, interesting and vivacious personalities that make this group so intriguing. She is headed off to Carleton University for a degree in Law. Congratulations on your graduation and I look forward to hearing about your adventures in university.
.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

A Dash Of Color

As we travelled through Scotland and mentioned that we were going to the Isle of Mull, everyone was unanimous in saying that we would love it. They were right! Tobermory on the western tip of the island hugs the coast with colorful homes and stores. The sailing boats in the crisp clear water complete the artist's painting.
The rest of the town rises straight upwards behind the first level, where homes sit perched overlooking the marina. In front of each are lovely gardens with protective stone walls that allow you to see over them. It was here that we met "Betty" (I am not kidding), who invited me into her home so that I could take pictures higher up from her dining and living room windows. Her hospitality was outstanding as she invited Ted & I in for tea. What a glorious hour we spent speaking with this wonderful hostess. This extremely kind and thoughtful jester left us feeling like - Scotland was definitely the place to visit.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Eastern Ontario Professional Photographers Print Competition 08


I would like to congratulate Jean Chartrand in winning Photographer of the Year for the Eastern Ontario Branch of the Professional Photographers of Ontario. The competition had many great images and the comments by the judges, Roger Sands, Guy Martin and Daniel Osborne made it truly a learning experience for all.


An image that I created in Saratoga Springs did me proud as it won Top Print of the Competition. It was aptly named - Hot Walkers On A Cool Morning.

Torosay Castle, A Scottish Jewel

Ourside of Craignure, Isle of Mull are two of the most beautiful castles in Scotland. Torosay is a lived in family home and Duart is a symbol of historical Scotland.
Torosay was my favorite castle to visit in Scotland, not because it was the grandest or richest, but because it showed a rich and loving heritage from the past and offered genuine hospitality to its guests. The writings were of "real" people with personalities exposed that helped you to understand that this was a loved home.
Here, there were no ropes keeping you out but instead an invitation to sit down and enjoy your surroundings whether inside or within the beautiful gardens. Here you were encouraged to take photos much to my delight and because of it, I wanted to buy a book of the castle so that I would have more knowledge of its history.
To top it off, I met Mrs. James, other of the owner who was willing to spend time and answer my questions. I certainly hope that the beautiful weather held for her as she was anxiously awaiting her god daughter, whom she had not seen in sixty years, from Canada.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Hairy Scotland

For me one of the great symbols of Scotland is the Highland Scottish cattle. Ted would argue that it is the distilleries of great scotch whiskey.

Our first encounter on this trip was the unlikely sighting of four highland cattle inside what was once a large brick walled garden that in its earlier days would have provided the food for the Carriden Estate near BoNess. Here they were within the confines of a fence, but often they could be found wandering the highlands with only a steel grate placed in the single lane roads to stop them from wandering into someone else's range.

Although they look placid, we were told that they were not to be fooled with, especially if there was a young calf about. For me I was just happy to use my long lens to record what I called, "hairyScotland".







Friday, May 23, 2008

My Scottish Garden "Monets"


The opportunity to photograph the gardens at Rossie House, Forgandenny, Perthshire was a real treat. Judy Nichol, our hostess has created a flowing stream of texture and color throughout her property. Every winding curve reveals a new painting to be captured. The gardens also have the element of varying elevation which creates more drama.


The blue bells with the sun setting upon them were spectacular. I was amazed to find giant trilliums tucked in among the trees.




An opportunity to view something unique occured on Bute Island at the Fernery. This is the private home and gardens of Wallace & Katherine Fyfe and demonstrates what the love of gardening can create.
Unfortunately Wallace passed away recently, but upon my visit, I met Katherine weeding away diligently.
Once home to Alexander Stewart, the Victorian Fern house is half in the ground, its beautiful glass ceiling protecting a collection of ferns from around the world. The rest of the gardens are just as intriguing. One notable surprise was the blue poppies blowing in the breeze.

Magical Gardens


Some of the finest architecture in Scotland has to be the magnificent gardens that have been created and preserved. Drummond castle just west of Perth was breathtaking. Shown here is just a small piece of the garden that also included bridges, walled vegetable garden and hot houses. This garden was "bare" in that the annuals that would fill the beds had not been planted and yet the structure and design of the shrubs, trees and beautifully placed statues was a feast for the eyes. You will notice that even in the distance there is a rage of colors as the Scottish have many beautiful trees that have a colored foliage even in the spring. Everyone says that the fall is even more spectacular.
Ted and I got a great chuckle over the pricing to enter the castle garden. Instead of the Adult and then Senior listing, seniors were listed as "Super Adults". We jokingly referred to ourselves that way during the trip.


Dunrobin Castle, near Golspie on the North Eastern coast boasts two magnificent gardens that viewed from above on the terrace leave you in awe. Pictured here is one that with its mass of flowers sets off the castle towering above. (As shown in my first post on Scotland).
It was here beyond the gardens and within the walled garden, that we were able to enjoy an educational and extremely entertaining display of falconry. The birds were brilliant and their trainer had a most engaging manner in his demonstrations. Peter, the owl was definitely the senior and most experienced of the birds.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

From Our Windows


Ted and I enjoyed some of the most spectacular views as we looked out our windows in Scotland. Tongue Youth Hostel was a new experience for us as we had never stayed in a hostel before. Expecting to be surrounded by youth hiking Scotland, we were surprised to meet seasoned and experienced hikers ranging from 50-70 years of age. Their experiences were really interesting and the cleanliness and hospitality shown made this unique experience one we would look forward to again.

Our second image is from our room at Camus House, Onich, Inverness Shire, just a few miles south of Forth William and very convenient for capturing the Coran Ferry. The Campbells were very helpful and this view was outstanding.

The Linhe View B&B at Craignure, Isle of Mull, certainly lived up to its names. Loch Linhe and the mountains surrounding it were a splendid backdrop to the ferry that landed at our doorstep to take us over to Oban. The early morning light, made the forty-five minute ferry ride one of the highlights of our tour.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Glorious Scotland

Having just returned from two weeks in Scotland, over 2,000 miles on the wrong side of the road, mentally and visually stimulated and bursting with excitement, I want to share with you the natural beauty and rich history that abounds. A country of extremes physically and economically. From riches to ruins, I hope you enjoy the journey.