An omnium-gatherum of images

Having used Gallimaufry and Salmagundi in past posts of oddments, I looked in the dictionary for something new to describe an odd collection. Omnium-Gatherum seemed to fit the bill.

As well as a collection of pictures I've taken over the last couple of months, I've included a couple of  sketches from my youngest daughter ( my bragging right ). She also has a blog page with lots of interesting pictures.

What's Not Goin On

I'm quite chuffed with my last picture in this post.

Snowdrops at Torhousemuir

Texel and lambs at Torhousemuir

Rabbit above Barbuchany

Lamb near Knockbrex, Carrick Shore

Rookery close to Parkmaclurg

Blackcraig from Parkmaclurg

Bull near Boreland of Girthon

Montpellier Terrace rear view, Cheltenham 

Sketch by my youngest daughter Marie 

Another sketch by my youngest daughter Marie, now cover art for 

House on Fire - EP

Edd Donovan & The Wandering Moles

Edd Donovan and the Wandering Moles  have a special vinyl edition on the Paper Label of their debut album 'Something to take the edge off', again the cover art is by my daughter Marie

Now a few pictures from a stroll at dusk

Close to Doonhill Woods, Newton Stewart
Ex: F-WQPV > G-HEMH > G-VGMC - Originally owned to, McAlpine Helicopters Ltd in September 2001 as G-HEMH. Currently with, Cheshire Helicopters Ltd since February 2011 as G-VGMC.

Song Thrush, Doonhill Woods

Ditto

Here's a short video clip of the above Song Thrush.

Sunset from the trig point, Doonhill, Newton Stewart

Moonshot from Blairmount Park, Newton Stewart

Swans and geese on Mochrum Loch

Greylag Goose on Mochrum Loch

Loch Leven and Stenton Pond in Monochrome

It's Friday the 6th of September and I'm heading over to Fife for the last ever Leuchars Air Display tomorrow.

Decided to take a break at Kinross for a walk on the shores of Loch Leven.

After arriving at my aunt's house in Glenrothes, I then took a walk down to Stenton Pond to see a fair variety of birds.

Here's a few pictures in black and white.

The first eight are on Loch Leven, the rest on Stenton.

Stenton Pond

I gave up counting the birds on Stenton Pond after reaching a hundred.

I've seen better monochrome pictures but I like the solitary duck with the following wake.

The last ever Leuchars Air Display will be the next post.

A Day at the Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park

The Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park
Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park
at Kirkcudbright in South West Scotland has a variety of animals from all over the world and their birds and animals have large,natural and imaginative enclosures
I couldn't believe my luck when this wonderfully cute Red Panda stayed still long enough for me to get this picture.
In 2008 two of these adorable creatures,a mother and daughter escaped when a tree fell on their enclosure.Pichu the mother was recaptured close to the park after a few weeks.Isla the daughter managed to survive in the wilds of South West Scotland for 19 months.Unhappily she was found by the side of the road with fatal injuries after obviously being hit by a vehicle.On a happier note they've bred two cubs towards the end of 2009,and i believe this is one of them.The cub names are Cai and Liang.
All footage here was filmed and photographed on a bitterly cold 18th of February 2010.

Depicted in this video of clips and photographs are some of the animals and birds resident in the park.
The Red Pandas,Oriental Otters (On a seperate video) and the Meercats are amongst the most popular.
I'll be back sometime to film the Meercats.

The background music in the YouTube clip is Breeze Remaster from Bassic Audiology

This sleepy Heron was enjoying the warming sun.
I don't know much about Owls,but the one on the right here is the largest in Europe,and is the European Eagle Owl
I've a feeling this is the female of a pair of lynx.The male was pacing back and forth at the back of the enclosure.It was difficult to get any good footage of their enclosure,due to the close mesh of the fence.
The pack of wolves were waiting for breakfast on our first circuit.Second time around they were in their enclosures resting.

Another of the Red Pandas.
Thanks to No1 for the following pictures.

My grandkids loved these Oriental Otters.
Sorry kids,but you can't take them home.
This is Callum and Erin in front of some old codger with a video camera.
I think Callum named this one Snowy.
Without doubt this is a value for money, worthwhile,and environment friendly attraction and i'll be back.

Oriental Otters at the Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park

On the recent family visit to the Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park
Galloway Wildlife
at Kirkcudbright,we'd gone round once,and the Otters were away in their hide.


Another look and they still weren't about,but we kept looking and were eventually rewarded with a beautiful display from these delightful creatures.

The video camera had to come out then.

It's a shame their pond was frozen up though.

I've another video compilation of the other animals coming soon.
Once again i'd recommend a visit.This is a fabulous place.

A Grand (Kids) Visit

It's half term holiday for the schools in England.My eldest daughter,and her two kids Callum and Erin are visiting for a couple of days.
It's a very frosty but sunny morning as we head of to Kirkcudbright to take a look at the wildlife park.This turned out to be a brilliant visit,and i'll be doing another blog on the animals and birds that are resident here.Here's the link to their own website.
Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park

They're still in the process of opening up as we got there.We were first there.
This Robin looks like it's hungry...
...and Aleksandr was one of the favourite inmates.'You want cheap car insurance' Callum does a great impression,i should have made a recording.I've got him in the background,but the audio quality's poor,so it's not going on.

Callum and his mum got to handle the Polecat while it was out of it's cage.
It's a brilliant place to visit,we stayed at least three hours.The Oriental Otters were amongst the most favourite animals.Cal came away with a Badger mask,while Erin fell in love with a Red Panda.Is he still called 'Levi'?

The weather holds up as we take a look around Kirkcudbright.
There's quite a few boats in the Marina.They're posing by 'Isabella',because that's their mums middle name.It was also the name of my mum.
On then for a walk on the beach,and rock exploration at Nun Mill Bay before heading over to Carrick shore for a beautiful sunset.That was a good day.

Next morning we're up and out early enough.We'll be spending much of the day at the Cream O Galloway
It's open for the schools half term.

All the activities were very popular,but the Karts needed at least a couple goes.

This is one of the farm's very friendly border collies.Sorry we couldn't bring it home kids.
After a walk up to the Lochans (I managed a bit of a recce for my walk in June)the fox slide,the tower and the maze were investigated with lots of gusto and fun...
...where do you kids get your energy.
There's no escape from this high security structure.It's no wonder you're going mad.Ha Ha

We've had a great time,and enjoyed different varieties of lovely organic ice cream,but it's time to move on....

...to the beach and rocks at Sandgreen.
It's still mighty cold,but we couldn't ask for better sunshine.Any rocks that needed climbing were climbed.Oyster Catchers and the odd Curlew Sandpiper kept us company.

Nearly time to head back to Newton Stewart,but not before some artwork and writing in the sand.
A final stop at the Creetown Lay-By for the sunset.
Thanks for visiting kids.It was great to see you.(And you as well mum of course)