Snowdrops
April 2026 - Spring hope
As March passes, there still remains snow on top of the Cairngorm mountains and the promise of yet more cold, arctic conditions. Nevertheless, when the sun has shone - and while sheltered from the wind - its heat can be felt on one’s back giving hope of warmer weather to come.
The snowdrops are now over but I was glad that I applied myself quite extensively to them this year. Finding different takes on familiar subjects can be tricky but that only heightens the challenge and encourages experimentation. I managed to fit in a short session with some crocuses in Edinburgh and grabbed a couple of images of coltsfoot at Dundas. Primroses and wood anemones are now out and will occupy my time in the forthcoming weeks.
The latest collection of the British Wildlife Photography Awards was published in March and I was delighted to have had an image of a dipper published in the book (see Awards section). It was taken on the River Esk in Midlothian. The image was also Highly Commended in the Italian international photography competition ASFERICO and made the final round in one of the categories in Wildlife Photographer of the Year. It is always satisfying when a photograph features in a competition but to be recognised in international competitions is something a little more special.
My thanks to Falkirk Camera Club for their warm welcome when I gave them a presentation on Inchkeith island in the Firth of Forth. It was an island many members were aware of but had never been on so I was able to show them the current state of the derelict buildings there and how nature was reclaiming it.
I was interested in the latest space mission to visit the dark side of the moon because I think there will be some amazing photography of both the earth and the moon to emerge from the expedition. Camera equipment has developed massively since the last moon visit so prepare to be blown away with the images that the astronauts take.
Last week we had sun, snow, frost, rain and hail. Now we are battening down the hatches for Storm Dave! Let’s hope for a prolonged spell of spring sunshine to give nature a kickstart.
April 2026 - Spring hope
As March passes, there still remains snow on top of the Cairngorm mountains and the promise of yet more cold, arctic conditions. Nevertheless, when the sun has shone - and while sheltered from the wind - its heat can be felt on one’s back giving hope of warmer weather to come.
The snowdrops are now over but I was glad that I applied myself quite extensively to them this year. Finding different takes on familiar subjects can be tricky but that only heightens the challenge and encourages experimentation. I managed to fit in a short session with some crocuses in Edinburgh and grabbed a couple of images of coltsfoot at Dundas. Primroses and wood anemones are now out and will occupy my time in the forthcoming weeks.
The latest collection of the British Wildlife Photography Awards was published in March and I was delighted to have had an image of a dipper published in the book (see Awards section). It was taken on the River Esk in Midlothian. The image was also Highly Commended in the Italian international photography competition ASFERICO and made the final round in one of the categories in Wildlife Photographer of the Year. It is always satisfying when a photograph features in a competition but to be recognised in international competitions is something a little more special.
My thanks to Falkirk Camera Club for their warm welcome when I gave them a presentation on Inchkeith island in the Firth of Forth. It was an island many members were aware of but had never been on so I was able to show them the current state of the derelict buildings there and how nature was reclaiming it.
I was interested in the latest space mission to visit the dark side of the moon because I think there will be some amazing photography of both the earth and the moon to emerge from the expedition. Camera equipment has developed massively since the last moon visit so prepare to be blown away with the images that the astronauts take.
Last week we had sun, snow, frost, rain and hail. Now we are battening down the hatches for Storm Dave! Let’s hope for a prolonged spell of spring sunshine to give nature a kickstart.
