Herb Riddle's photos

A few moments of excitement as I and another photographer saw this on the Island of Handa in Scotland, for we thought we were seeing a very rare endangered Caparcaillie which in many ways is similar. My further research on describing it here for you brought it to be in fact a male Red grouse. ‘The red grouse is a medium-sized game bird. It has a short tail and a lightly hook-tipped bill. It is reddish-brown, with its legs and feet covered in pale feathers. Birds breed in the UK in the uplands of the north and west and are resident all year round, travelling very little in their lives. The population is declining, perhaps linked to diseases and the loss of heather moorland.’ RSPB Enjoy full screen.

Another chance to see Loch Lomond, this most bonny Loch of Scotland, taken on our visit around here last year. In the background are the mountains of Ben Vorlich and Ben Vane. Enjoy this in peace, so far away from our Ukrainian neighbours this weekend, and spare them a thought in their hour of need! Herb

St Agnes Head and Wheal Coates from Chapel Porth. The tiny cove of Chapel Porth with its sandy beach is just below us here (see PiP). All the buildings are in fact part of the Wheal Coates mine complex and you can see here part of the 630 mile long South West Coastal Path which was our constant companion. See PiP for another view of this small cove, from behind the little cafe. Enjoy full size and contrast the freedom of this sight compared with what our friends in Ukraine have today.

Yesterday, the first of March, the first day of meteorological Spring. A weather break for us from the months of grey and rain, and so another walk, this time ending up in our local park to see this scene. As you can see, the spring bulbs and flowers are eager to show their heads; mainly snowdrops and crocus with a hint of heather. Behind sits the first blooming tree of the year for us, an azalea. The title is in the ‘hope’ of peace in the Ukraine soon. Enjoy full size.

The Old Man of Stoer - - - stands solid like the people of Ukraine! Enjoy with me today a scene that was the highlight of our ‘Stoer Head’ walk. A mighty fine stack indeed and one can see why it is be a magnet to climbers. A 60- metre (197ft) high sea stack of Torridonian sandstone in Sutherland, Scotland, close to villages of Culkein and Stoer and the nearby Stoer Head Lighthouse. The stack is popular with climbers, though they have to be mighty cautious due to the frequent high winds in this area. The area is rich in seabirds, with fulmars nesting on the rock and the nearby cliffs. Some five months after our visit a rather daring rescue was carried out here - BBC News: Two climbers were rescued after getting into difficulty on a sea stack on Sutherland's north west coast. The men were climbing the Old Man of Stoer, a 60m (197ft) tower of rock, when the sea conditions deteriorated. They became crag fast - stuck - on a ledge near the bottom and were unable to move due to high waves and the tide. Stornoway Coastguard helicopter winched the climbers to safety and they were flown to Lochinver to be checked over. "The Old Man of Stoer is a popular location for climbers but weather can rapidly deteriorate and, particularly at this time of year as we come out of the summer months, rising waves and high winds from the North Sea present significant risks that anyone moving around the coast can expect to encounter." Essential full screen.

A view here of our little garden here at Inverkirkaig near Lochinver in the West Highlands. We had hoped to see otters and the like but didn't, but we did have some deer here one evening as the dropping on the grass here testify to. The PiP shows the rented chalet proper with our main view through the big French window over the Loch Kirkaig. Enjoy full screen and have a great week.

A rare day of dry weather brings me back to my local Dovestones walking area and the second reservoir in the chain of three. Behind me is the dam holding back Greeenfield Reservoir. This view has changed since I last photographed it. The pine woods on the right hand side has now been thinned by about 50% in order to replant with more native wood species which will be better for both the environment and wildlife. See PiP Enjoy full size.

A broody image taken yesterday at my own Dovestone reservoir walking area in the rain. This image reflects my feelings regarding Russian missiles raining down on Kyiv over the last 24 hours. At least yesterday the sun came out soon after this. I don't think it will be so quick for Ukraine.

Tanks encircle Kyiv as democracy and people die in Ukraine. The world stands and watches. ON THE CANAL SIDE Built by the Victorians to stand the test of time these steps helped the barge-men gain the height to the top of the canal lock here on the Rochdale Canal in Lancashire. There was also a ramp nearby where the dray horse could get to the top too and have a little rest before carrying on its hard pull along the next stretch of water. The fence here built with care and made to last in the days when such things were normal. Even the rocks making this wall are shaped to add beauty to a very practical structure. Enjoy the weekend. Herb

I am afraid that this photo reflects the mood that I feel on hearing todays news of the full invasion of Ukraine by Russia! Tobban Horse: Taken from the big beach of Porthtowan we look south at this big rock and headland known as Tobban Horse. Behind on the hill is the remains of an old chimney proably belonging to the old quarry and mines that were around here. A little further just beyond this headland sits a small cove known as ‘Sally’s Bottom’ that sadly we never got to. This taken with my long lens that highlights the sea spray from the pounding waves. Enjoy full size.

Back to the Yorkshire Dales for this one taken a few years back now. Another dry-stone wall takes our eye towards the star of the show with one of the Dales ‘Three-peaks’ mountains, Pen-Y-Ghent. At 694m, not the highest mountain in the world but this stands out for many miles in these parts. Of course God’s light spot-lights the peak –as it should be! Enjoy full screen Have a good day.

Walking in the big beach of Porthtowan in Cornwall can be a most rewarding experience. In the distance another of Cornwall's old mines can be seen. See last picture for alternative view form this beach. Best full screen.

The very interesting sands of Porthtowan.

A high view over the very big beach of Porthtowan in Cornwall. The PiP shows the other view from just above here towards the village itself. Best viewed large. Have a good week.

Another castle within easy reach of the Scottish town of Ayr and only about five miles south of Greenan Castle. Captured in the golden hour on a late October day in 2010. "The site dates from the late 13th century; the earliest charter for the lands dating from 1256, but the remains of the building are of 15th- and 16th-century origin. One tradition says that the castle was built by the Danes. Another claims that the Mackinnons held the castle from Alexander III as a reward for their valour at the Battle of Largs. The castle is the point of origin of the Kennedys of Carrick (not to be confused with the American Kennedy family), who once ruled over much of south western Scotland and were granted the lands in 1357. Sir James Balfour described Dunure as "a grate and pleasand stronge housse, the most ancient habitation of the surname of Kennedy, Lairds of Dunure, now Earles of Cassiles." In August 1563, Mary, Queen of Scots, visited the castle for three days during her third progress round the west of the country. The Celtic name Dunure or Dunoure is said to derive from the "hill" or "fort of the yew tree". Wiki

A moment to savour this old 16th century castle at Ayr, Scotland. This tower was actually the scene of some unsavoury events but I hope my photo shows only its beauty. ‘The lands of Greenan were forfeited by John, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles in 1476 for treason against James III. In 1493 James IV granted the Lands of Greenan to William Douglas, son of Archibald, Earl of Angus. The first known defensive structure on the site was a promontory fort, probably a fortified farmstead, enclosing around 1 acre. Four concentric curved ditches, each around 3 metres wide, cut off the headland with the exception of a single causeway to provide access. It is not known how long this settlement was occupied, but the site was re-used in the twelfth century. Beside the tower are traces of a walled courtyard and outbuildings—probably stables and a kitchen block, as the small tower has no kitchen within its walls. The castle passed through various members of the clan before ending up in the hands of Thomas Kennedy, Earl of Cassillis in 1766. Around this time the residential use of the castle seems to have stopped; today the structure is a ruin.’ WiKi Enjoy full screen.

A question many parents hear as they confront another series of steep steps up the next hill. To be honest, we had no children with us on this walk but there were many about. One taken on the ‘Ingleton Waterfall’ walk a couple of years back. (see Pips) Enjoy full screen and have a great weekend.

A day trip to the ‘Point of Stoer’ and its famous stack of ‘The Old Man of Stoer’ brings us by this lighthouse. This taken from the stony path up to the high head and stack itself. See and follow PiP for more about the lighthouse. Have a good day.