Lives in a forest in the NW Scottish Highlands (Shieldaig / Torridon). Writes music for a living. Posts random photos of Highland life. Never without a dog. Pleased to announce that I do not have a podcast. https://SteveCarter.com
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The Heron's nests are now scattered along the mainland coast. The Eagle's nest is at the far end as you look at the photo, and this is as close as I'll fly the drone so as not to disturb them. (Also, in a fight between an Eagle with an 8 foot wingspan and a drone, there would only be one winner!)
20 years ago, several of us went across to Shieldaig Island to count the number of Heron nests for the RSPB. We counted 26 (so an approximate population of +/- 75). A few years later the now resident pair of Sea Eagles arrived. There are now no herons on the Island at all (sensible choice).
Interesting selection of wine in the local shop today.
Been watching a red squirrel busy burying hazelnuts.
Evening sunshine on Shieldaig Village yesterday. We have really clear northerly air at the moment, so the view of the tops of the mountains is as sharp as a sharp thing.
It's him, not you.
My better half has been using her pastel pencils again...
Nice gneiss.
I should probably add that they generally have about 20 deliveries to the west coast on board, so it saves 20 cars doing the trip!
Dingwall. 118 mile round trip.
The Tesco delivery drivers apparently say "Off to see Bertie today". He really loves Tesco drivers... and they (almost all) love him back!
After the rain.
There have been so many this year, I thought I'd put some together... www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwvW...
Some evening sun over Loch Shieldaig.
Here's another from Wednesday's spectacular sunrise.
The jetty at Lochinver is always a good spot to watch sunsets.
Out of interest: A "stand" itself is a type of collective noun, referring to a group of trees belonging to the same species.
A 'stand' of Pine trees.
Ben Shieldaig.
Shieldaig campsite.
Another fabulous sunrise this morning. It lasted about 3 minutes, then completely disappeared.
Early morning high tide by Am Ploc (Upper Loch Torridon). Beinn Damh behind.
06:30 this morning, looking over Upper Loch Torridon towards Liathach.
Looking towards Ben Shieldaig from Inverbain.
It's nice to know that at least one UK TV organisation still has some sort of backbone. Take note BBC. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
London, now permanently in Scotland.
A misty loch and an island unvisited.
I have. I got in trouble with the police for crossing a road in an ‘inappropriate’ place. :(
Too cold for midges. Midge season all but over.
Afraid I wouldn't know, I don't fish.
I've been called a lot of things!....
I have had one of those! (But not at present).
Torridon, Wester Ross.
The short stretch of water that links Loch Coultrie and Loch Damh. Know as Abhainn Dubh (Dark River). Photo: 07:45 this morning.
It's the first cold morning of Autumn, and it's welcome.
Either a Pine Marten or a glove puppet. You can decide.
Waterfall in the forest lit by moonlight.
Late evening light over Shieldaig Village yesterday.
Never again, but glad I did it when I was young enough. It would kill me now.
Edinburgh. 10 hour round trip. Which is why I replaced it with an Audi R8. :) (Which I sold also - NC500 means there is now some traffic here!)
Cheque in the post ;)
This will help: www.stevecarter.com/build/build....
Just a bit! www.stevecarter.com/build/build....
This will explain: www.stevecarter.com/build/build....
20 years ago today my house arrived on two lorries from Lapland. (One unable to get up the hill without JCB help!)
Mornings are looking rather 'Mordor' at the moment.
No wildfire at the moment, though there was one +/-50 miles to the east a few months back. Meteorologically and geographically we gat lots of great sunrises here. FYI we had a really bad wildfire here many years ago which lasted 4 days. A photo I took at the time.
Some very 'Autumn' light yesterday morning.
Someone's been busy with a slightly wobbly line painting machine.
Nope.
Yesterday, I posted a photo taken at 06:30 of a very orange sunrise. 15 minutes earlier it was considerably more red. (This one was taken from a drone over Upper Loch Torridon).
Bertie on the dam this morning.
06:30 this morning. Upper Loch Torridon.
Man in black with a hat.
This morning's full moon and Coastguard visitation.
A year ago today...
Nope! :)
Nope.
Yep.
Nope
youtu.be/VTSXHeBMgvg Volume up if you want the music.
Looking down at the seabed of Upper Loch Torridon.
Out of interest, it's near me on the mainland :)
Someone asked me recently which was my favourite photo of all time, and it was an easy answer. You can see why. (And don't ask, as if I told you where this beach was, I'd have to kill you).
07:00 yesterday morning.
Almost a black bird.
One from a while back.
This morning's weather.
Very blue.
Video driving up the Coire and Bealach na Ba (recorded last month) is running x3 speed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyta...
The river in the forest after LOTS of rain.
Well I never... a rainbow appeared before sunrise, created just by the light of an orange and red glow in the east. There's a first time for everything. I've certainly never see such a thing before.
Dark light over Beinn Bhàn.
06:15 this morning, looking over Upper Loch Torridon.
The old track that connected Shieldaig with Torridon.
Good luck to you.
It's only when you see a Great Black-Backed Gull next to some Herring Gulls that you see the size disparity... it's closer to a Heron in dimensions.
Dramatic sky this morning.
The North Atlantic looking about as still as it gets.
'Frosty'.
Another from yesterday morning.
Send link! jigex.com/WTdLY
I mean this weekend - gales!
A lovely late summer's day here. Looks like downhill from now on!
06:15 this morning. Upper Loch Torridon.
We needed some rain.
The 'Eda-Frandsen' is in the loch. 87 years old and going strong.
Hydro I think.
I'm not a fan of vapour trails in landscape photos, but this morning's effort marks an exception.
It absolutely definitely will meet someone who doesn't know how to reverse.
jigex.com/WTdLY
jigex.com/WTdLY
The Coire na Ba.
In case you don't believe me, here's the original.
This photo is upside down.
Should be a jigsaw puzzle methinks.
Here's a bit of piano music I wrote for my mate Alastair. He's a proper classy pianist, so even though it was dots on a page that he sightread, it was more like; 'I'll hum it, you play it'. stevecarter.com/latest/Begin...
