Mike's Natural Musings: Scotland, September 2014, Rosemarkie Day 2

Saturday, 27 September 2014

Scotland, September 2014, Rosemarkie Day 2

The eyes began to prickle from what seemed like hours staring out at the ruffled surface of the sea as incoming tide battled wave driven waves in the opposite direction. Hopes were raised; but no just a different wave form this time, the next a seal, the next a gull riding the waves and then.....a single dorsal fin broke the surface and then another followed by a tail fluke. Dolphin watching, like much wild life watching and photography, is a game of patience. Although the book says that they appear an hour after low tide, the dolphins have not read the book.

It had been pleasant last night to have a good night’s sleep without a gale buffeting the van and I awoke at dawn to a wonderful sunrise, so out with the camera at 6.30 to photograph it and then retire with a cup of tea to watch it unfold from bed. After the tea it was up for breakfast and then off along the beach for the low tide. Although it was a long wait for the dolphins eventually about four appeared and fished off the point, really close to the watching crowds. Unfortunately there were no dolphins leaping but it was wonderful to see them so close and I was happy with several of the photographs I got. There was plenty of other wildlife around to watch while waiting: several seals which kept pushing their heads out of the water to get a better view of us in between feeding dives, gulls on the water’s edge busily crabbing, parties of gannets flying up the Firth, presumably to favoured feeding grounds, cormorants and various small waders.

Once the activity was over for the day, it was time to return for lunch before heading north again to have a look at some of the east coast for a change. Much less dramatic than the west but still with mountains constantly in view and the interesting geography of the Firths penetrating deep inland: Moray, Cromarty and Dornoch. We got as far as the small fishing village of Brora but particularly liked Dornoch with its old castle and cathedral. The views up the Dornoch Firth in the evening light were beautiful and we enjoyed the novelty of the small car ferry from Nigg to Cromarty on the way back. It was good to see a pair of eider on the Cromarty shoreline the male once again in smart plumage. Tea was excellent fish and chips looking out over the sea before returning for a cup of tea and, later, a wee dram for a nightcap.

Another excellent day.

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