Saturday 12 December 2009

Pictorial River Review 2009







This is my 101st posting, The cygnets are also 7 months old today and still in the river.


The weather is a repeat of this
time last year when we had some spectacular frosts. Seems like the right time for an annual review, so I will start with the tragedy of Sonny whom I will never forget !




Christmas eve from the west pier.













Picture postcard frosts !






Island almost flooded on January 12th, the swans inspecting the levels for nesting. I added another few inches to the nest area just in case !








Intruder Cob tries to take over the Pen and territory in January.








After 3 weeks our resident duo managed to get rid of the Intruder !













The Cobs Battle scars.









This young Swan made a visit in March.


Swan Lake, and the start of something big !








































The big day, with first cygnets hatching !



















Severe harbour pollution after a boat got hung up on the slipway!















My beautiful Jemima shows me her 15 chicks of which only 3 survived, mainly because she stayed within the moat area of the island during the first month of their existence.






Another senseless crime with the catapult killing of another relative of blondie. I dont believe in capital punishment, but the bas***d responsible should be stoned !






Cob and Goosander soaking up the sun !











Just had to take the shot.












Talk about living on the edge !













Sister of blondie killed by a catapult, this was after she lost all 10 of her chicks to hoodie crows ! A real crime !










Blondie with her 16 ducklings which were all killed within 10 days, mainly by hoodie crows !











Dog poo bin being used for litter on the west pier because no litter bin available for tourists !










A watchful Pen supervises the nursery feeding time !











High summer and 2 deer grazing happily close to the river.









One of the few summer days we were all waiting for, and a rather lovely scene in the harbour.











I removed this hook and line from one of the cygnets, was a close call and could have been fatal.










Cats and canoeists....what next !












Canoeists punting their way upstream and chasing all the wildlife. Having crossed swords with them I was charged with breach of the peace. Too bad the wildlife dont have a lawyer ! ...Case was dismissed









I reckon that one is a born leader!










Gulls fast food centre conveniently laid on ! The council did take notice of my advice and have since moved some bins and upgraded others !







Ominous clouds and threatening skies !















Sewage pollution pouring into the river, a repeat of previous years !
Scottish water fixed the problem and warned us all to stop putting fat down the drains.....again !






One of my best shots of a peacock butterfly during a late summer day!









Stormy scene across the firth !













Big Spate of september 4th, Swans Island took a battering but stood up well.










Stunning September sunset over fishertown.















Mink taken up residence at the west pier!











Duck with diseased or damaged bill is still surviving , hopefully the cold frosty weather will not finish it off !












The seal dining on Salmon yet again !








2 comments:

Andy said...

Superb photos and a great commentary on the inhabitants of a very special river.

jayteescot1 said...

Like yourself Andy, I too am an amateur photographer. I hope I have given people some pleasure and appreciation of our local wildlife.
I think it helps the wildlife and the profile of Nairn too.