Happily Ever After

Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running

Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.

In Search Of Kites

by admin - 21:08 on 10 April 2013

I've been meaning to visit the red kite feeding station at Tollie, near Lochussie, for a long time, and as visitors Soo and Tony had expressed an interest in seeing it, today was the day.

Feeding time is 2.30pm BST, so after feeding ourselves we ventured up the single-track road then on to the track which leads to the station. Others cars were already there, their serious-lensed occupants loitering with intent to snap kites, although the prize for biggest lens goes to Soo. I'm surprised she could lift it.

Feeding time came and went. The few kites we saw kept their distance so we passed the time by snapping chaffinches and siskins on the feeders and nearby barbed wire fence, erected to keep over-excited snappers from getting too close to their subjects.

After ninety minutes, and little excitement, we had to leave (or homecoming Matchgirl would have been stranded at the airport). However, the trip was worthwhile. I'll be back, preferably on a warmer day, to see if I can improve on the one kite snap I kept. It's not brilliant but it's my first.

I also attempted a moody monochrome snap of distant Ben Wyvis. That could stand some improvement too.

Band Update: The eagle-eyed will have noticed the disappearance of the Strawdogs page. Guitar hero Michael handed in his notice after a disagreement with colleagues more keen on rehearsal than gigging. I followed shortly afterwards. My musical future is uncertain.

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