Nigel's Photo Blog

    Introduction Yesterday, I visited a full-scale replica of the 15th century sailing vessel 'Santa Maria' which was moored in St Katherine Docks, a marina in central London . Location is close to the Tower of London , a top tourist attraction. Information on Columbus' Voyage The original  Santa Maria was the lead of a group of three vessels, sponsored by the Spanish Crown, which set sail from Huelva (S.W.Spain) on August 3rd, 1492 on a defining voyage which resulted in discovery of the New World thirty-three days later. The supporting vessels were La Nina and La Pinta. A lthough perceived as a high risk venture it seems likely that Columbus had information on what he would find. After all, the Vikings travelled to North America in the 10th century AD and established settlements there. Columbus' voyage changed the path of universal history and transformed elements of humanity.  Information on the Santa Maria.   The replica discussed here dates from 2018 and is ...

 Introduction This evening I am providing information and images on a group hike undertaken in the Nethy Bridge region of the Scottish Highlands.   Green Lochan Information and images of the hike around Nethy Bridge. Nethy Bridge is a small village in the Strathspey region which is located about thirty-five miles S.E. of Inverness . NB: Nethy is derived from the Gaelic Neitheach and apparently means 'the pure one'.  Benefiting from favourable weather conditions, the hike covered a route from Glenmore to Nethy Bridge via Lochan Uaine (Green Lochan) and Ryvoan *Bothy. (*  A bothy offers very basic overnight accommodation for hikers.There are  no facilities. No tap, no sink, no beds, no lights, and, even if there is a fireplace, perhaps nothing to burn. Bothies may have a simple sleeping platform, but if busy you might find that the only place to sleep is on a stone floor. )  Forest Trail Hiking group Ryvoan Bothy Pond Highlands landscape Lunch ...

Introduction  This evening, I am reporting on a winter time visit to Perthshire in central Scotland, about 2 hours from Glasgow . This trip was inspired by unusual combination of prolonged sunshine, blue skies and a landscape covered by a few feet of light, powder snow.   Sheep in winter, at Killin   Information on the winter trip to Perthshire Overall, the conditions provided superb photographic opportunities, as illustrated herein. Subjects included Castle Menzies , sheep, mountains, River Tay and Loch Tay .  Sheep in winter at Dalguise Snow Road at Dalguise Fishing Beat on River Tay near Dalguise Castle Menzies, Weem Ben Lawers Hotel replete with Snowman Central Loch Tay   Snow covered mountains Loch Tay in Winter, from Killin Killin in Winter Snow covered mountains at Killin More information For more information on Scotland please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle .

View from Dumbarton Castle, Scotland  Introduction This evening I am reprising an interesting trip which at it's core was organised bird watching but, owing to vantage point, also provided excellent opportunities for landscape photography. Information on the event    Kestrel    At the event, I joined a bird watching group at Dumbarton Castle , on the banks of the River Clyde near Glasgow in SW Scotland.  Bird Watching Group at River Clyde Apart from the ornithological interest, Dumbarton Castle offers: Its own long history, dating back at least 1500 years. Scottish landscape views, particularly with a snow-capped Ben Lomon d (mountain) dominating the landscape. Views of Dumbarton. Glorious views of the River Clyde with Glasgo w in the distance.  Dumbarton Castle, Scotland    Snow-capped Ben Lomond, Scotland  Firth of Clyde at Low Tide View of River Clyde from Dumbarton Castle, Scotland River Leven at Dumbarton, Scotla...