Scottish Wildcat

Here are a few shots of a Scottish Wildcat which is Britain’s last large mammal predator.  Although they look very similar to a household tabby cat, these are super-tough, can comfortably survive Scotland’s harshest winters and are more than a match for large eagles.  Unfortunately, the latest figures suggest that there are less than 100 left in the wild.  The Wildcat Haven Project is currently trying to turn the tide in favour of the wildcat, aiming to increase their numbers to around 1,000 to ensure sustainability –  more at: http://www.wildcathaven.co.uk

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content

Eagle Owl

Here are further shots of an eagle owl in flight, taken at the Raptor World Bird of Prey centre which is located within the Scottish Deer Centre near Cupar in Fife.

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Gecko

An oldie but goody!

Gecko

Gecko

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

A Punk Highland Coo?

Took this picture of a highland cow (known as coo in Scottish slang) and my mind went immediately back to my punk days in the 70’s.  I have nicknamed him Sid!

A Punk Highland Coo

A Punk Highland Coo

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Eurasian Lynx

This silhouetted shot of an Eurasian Lynx was taken at the Scottish Deer Centre near Cupar in Fife.

Eurasian Lynx

Eurasian Lynx

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Wild Wolves

Here are a number of shots of the resident pack of wolves at the Scottish Deer Centre in Cupar, Fife.   Heavily persecuted for killing live stock, the last wild wolf in Scotland was killed in 1745 and from that day the number of deer grew out of control.  Nowadays humans have effectively replaced the wolf in culling the deer in order to manage their numbers.

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Eurasian Eagle Owl

The following shots of an eagle owl were taken at the Raptor World Bird of Prey centre which is located within the Scottish Deer centre near Cupar in Fife.   Amongst the largest  species of owl in the world the females can grow up to 75cm high and have a wingspan of 188 centimetres.  A very impressive looking bird when seen at close quarters.

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

Little Egret

Sometimes you take a relatively simple shot without really thinking about it and somehow it works.  This little egret was happily going about his business at Lindisfarne in Northumbria.

Little Egret

Little Egret

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

Grey Heron

Here are a few shots of a grey heron taken at Broughton on the outskirts of Aylesbury.  He was stealthily creeping around and feeding on something quite large however, at the key moment my camera was on the wrong setting resulting in a blurred images, frustrating indeed!  Nevertheless, still quite nice close ups.

© [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com], [2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [John Mallaney] and [www.johnmallaney.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.