It feels like a loooooong time since we were last in town, a month I guess. The weather hasn't been great and the usual threats of distastrous snow storms freezing the country, sigh!
There was a haar all the way from the Moray Firth into the Beauly Firth, like a blanket of low white cloud as we drove down the A9 into Inverness so, February 11th, we arrived in town and headed out for an evening walk.
Haar over toon
Even when it's not perfectly calm the water can look amazing and the light and reflections are beautiful. There can be amazing light and effects right down to the bridge, between the hills.
Bridge of Sighs
Below and beyond
There is just so much to see, enjoy and photograph around Ardersier, how can anyone ever tire of it?
Red-breasted Mergansers
There were a few birds swimming just off shore, in this case a trio of Mergansers, a male and two females. Walking on I spotted a male Goldeneye duck just off the shore.
Goldeneye male
The water was so calm it was an easy evening for them. A Skein or Salon of Curlews flew overhead, heading up the firth. (I had to Google that)
Skein of Curlews
We were just walking and chatting and ended up at the fort so we decided to carry on to the point, see what we see.
Common Gull
The Common Gull sat on the edge of the grass above the ramp just stood and stared at us as we wandered by.
Chanonry Point lighthouse had a faint haar behind it and a few folk were gathering on the shore, hopeful of spotting Dolphins maybe?
I love wandering along this part of the shore, there's hardly ever anyone here and you never know what you might see, this is where I had my Otter encounter last year so, ever hopeful of a return visit :) There's almost always Oystercatchers, Curlew and other waders around.
Passing Curlew
Dozing Curlew
I still haven't discovered what the little pool or harbour was built for but, it is a good spot for the odd bird or two to be lurking.
Red-breasted Merganser female
This Merganser kind of panicked at our presence and lifted off quickly and flew right by me, I got lucky!
As we walked by the fort heading for the point, a small flock of Meadow pipit popped up from the dip and onto the walls.
Meadow Pipit
Looking fed up?
Sometimes the oddest things catch my eye ...
Me and my shadow? The two towers?
I've been seeing Red-breasted Merganser of these shores for quite a while now and they seem to be getting more accustomed to us being around?
Red-breasted Merganser male
Got to love that hairdo right?
Cruising
The tide is turning
I could probably spend most of every day and night on the shores around Ardersier and have a million photos to edit :)
Chanonry Point
It was starting to get pretty chilly so we headed back and took a faster walk, less stops for photos!
A place to call your own
