Exploring the Hebrides - Isle of Lewis Part II

Went to Dal Beg for the sunset.  It was not as spectacular as I have seen but lovely sunsets have been few and far between this year.  Then to Callanish to take the stones with the full moon.  Apparently there had been an upset earlier at Callanish with someone shouting and swearing at all the photographers trying to take the sunset.  Callanish is not the best place for sunset as you have all the houses in the background.

Dal Beg

Callanish stones with full moon

Still warm on Wednesday but not much sun as the drizzle has returned.  Stopped off at Ghinda on the way into Stornoway and then spent a pleasant couple of hours on the Braighe at the causeway to Point.  Met up with all the other customers (including two lovely Americans from North Carolina) of Stornoway Seafari run by Gordon Maclean, www.stornowayseafari.com and took the trip to the Shiant Isles.  A great experience which I recommend if you are on Lewis.  Really interesting to see Lewis from the sea.  We saw so much - a white tailed eagle to start off with, minke whales on the way over to Shiants and then loads of puffins, guillimots, kittiwakes, gannets and other gulls.  Coming back two other eagles were spotted.  Gordie took us around Witches Pool which was beautiful.  Gordie spotted a merganser but I didn't get a good image.  I would definitely do the trip again when I am next on Lewis in the season.

Shiant Isles shrouded in mist

This is a couple of images blended together

More puffins but a little blurry

Gannet

Archway with more puffins on the other side

Two abstracts of the Shiant Isles with intentional camera movement - or boat movement

Tall ship

One of many waterfalls we saw

The second eagle which flew over the boat as shown below

The third eagle which refused to fly for us

The seals came swimming as we came into harbour.  They are so used to being fed by people in boats.  One of them leapt up and nearly bit Gordie's hand thinking it was a fish.

Reflections in Stornoway harbour

Off to Ness which has some fabulous machair - the best on the island so far.  I don't think I made the best of it.  After my stop at Europie beach, I walked from Port Ness towards the Butt of Lewis.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  Windy and sunny with some beautiful scenery.   Had a lovely dinner with Jenny and Murdo and a game of scrabble - beaten again by Jenny.  A good catch up.

Ness machair

Europie

Foam in a peat stream

coastline on the way to Butt of Lewis

Looking towards the lighthouse at the Butt

Bog cotton on a fence

A buzzard at Ghinda but I thought it was the white tailed eagle that visits regularly and rushed out to photograph it.  Still a beautiful bird

I have run out of time and never made it to Hebscape to see Darren Cole's latest work.  I have been told by Jenny and Murdo that he is doing some great images.  I will have to come back later this year.  I had to go into Stornoway and I didn't want to do too much driving today before my return tomorrow.  I went back to Point and did a short walk from Tiumpan Head to Portvoller Bay and back by the easy road to my car.

Shieling on Penteland Road

Not so beautiful coast

Flower in peat pond

Looking towards Point from near the Tiumpan lighthouse

Sky

Point machair

Buttercup in the stream

I am catching the 7 am ferry to Ullapool and will pop into Larkhall to see Helen and George before bedding down at the New Lanark hostel.  May have some photos to put on later in I get to New Lanark in time.

Had a very smooth crossing and filled up with a CalMac breakfast.  An easy drive down to Larkhall to visit with Helen and George.  Stopped off at the House of Bruar to look at their Aigle wellies.  They were packed with people and the wellies were the top of the range so very expensive.  Glad I wasn't coming the other way as the traffic was heavy.  Now at New Lanark after an excellent dinner at the hotel.  I am staying at the hostel - Wee Row.  Played with photographing the Falls of Clyde.  As the light was not great,  I made an abstract.

Next trip is to the Tribe of Doris festival in August.