A sunny day in Ardnamurchan

It's been a beautiful warm summer's day here in Ardnamurchan, and one filled with wildlife. I started the day with a solitary walk, exploring a nearby wooded area. All 4 of us later walked to a beach called "Camas nan Geall". It was here that we got our first glimpse of an otter, and there were quite a few buzzards, I counted 4 at one point. 

 A buzzard (Buteo buteo) 

 Dunnock

Common Lizard

Although it's off in the distance, it was very exciting to see this otter!

Pine Marten track- signs of this mysterious mammal are everywhere!

Beautiful Peacock butterfly.

Midnight visit from a Pine Marten.

I am currently on Expedition with 3 of my fellow students on the Scottish peninsula of Ardnamurchan. One of our aims was to see and capture images of one of the most elusive mammals in the UK and Ireland - the Pine Marten. We had left out jam the past few nights in the attempt of enticing it into the garden but last night we left out some biscuits. Cain, Rachael and Steve went out for a walk in the dark with a torch in the hopes of catching a glimpse of one, I stayed on my own in the cottage. After a while I seen movement at the window, there it was, enjoying our offering of biscuits. I quickly grabbed my camera and took a few shots, it didn't mind the flash at all. As it heard Cain, Rachael and Steve approach, it scampered off into the darkness.  I hope the rest of my stay in Scotland has many more moments as exciting as this one!

We have our own blog dedicated to Expedition Ardnamurchan: http://expeditionardnamurchan.blogspot.com/

Travels in the Gambia.

In March of this year we went on a field trip to the Gambia in West Africa for 2 weeks. It was such an amazing experience! It is such a beautiful country; the people were so happy and friendly and the experiences with wildlife were outstanding! 

 A Western Red Colobus Monkey with young in Bijilo Forest. 

 Another resident of Bijilo Forest, a cheeky Green Vervet Monkey.

 This Osprey took us by surprise when we went for a stroll on the beach.

 Hooded Vultures were a common site in the Gambia

 An Agama lizard, challenging to photograph as they move so fast

 Perched Hooded Vulture

 Patas monkey, considered to be the fastest primate

 Osprey with a huge catch

 We found this dead turtle while walking on beach

 Grey-Headed Gull chick

Royal Tern in flight