Hi Everyone,

The light is really rubbish just now which makes taking dolphin photos a lot harder and it's still getting dark so soon up here in Scotland. There are groups of dolphins roaming around - like these two gangs that were heading for Inverness the other day.


© WDCS/Charlie Phillips

Mischief is in the group nearest the camera - if you look closely you can see the big cut near the bottom of his dorsal fin. The weather is meant to be better at the weekend - I hope I can get some good light and good dolphins photos to show you.

Best Wishes,

Charlie.

Hi Everyone,

On my day off today I went inland near Aviemore to see the annual Husky sled racing event, this year made extra special because there has been SO much snow and the "Mushers" as the owners are called could actually use their sledges instead of a trike that gets towed behind the lovely dogs. It's the first time in 15 years that the event has been able to go ahead in ideal snowy conditions.


© Charlie Phillips Images

These dogs are not actually pets, they are working dogs and really love speeding along through the snow - looks like great fun eh?

Best Wishes,

Charlie.

Hi Everyone,

It was a freezing, howling gale down at Chanonry today with rough seas and a wind that I could hardly stand up against. I had just missed Kesslet, Charlie, Zephyr and wee Breeze scooting past the Point heading round into Rosemarkie Bay so I ran like the clappers down the beach and watched them in the distance where the youngsters had a great game of swapping Mums and then trying to outjump them as you can see in the photo - Zephyr with Charlie clowning around beside her.


Copyright WDCS/Charlie Phillips

They came back round the Point again and were followed by three big groups of dolphins including Nevis, Mischief, Sailfin and Midnick who went charging up towards Inverness (the sea was so rough by now that I couldn't see the individual dolphins properly to photograph them) and I counted a total of about 30 animals - amazing!

It was almost impossible to hold the camera steady enough so I'm delighted at getting anything. Someone else who is delighted at our dolphins is Chris Packham who I worked with on Natures Calendar TV programme a few years ago. He has a quote about Scotland and it's stunning wildlife in this months Big Issue Here

Thanks Chris!

Best Wishes,

Charlie.

Hi Everyone,

I managed to get my first really good look of 2010 at some of our dolphins today. My pal Alan and I were watching about 16 dolphins away in the distance hunting for herring this morning with no sign of them getting any closer to the Point. Alan left around mid-day but I hung on for a while longer and just after 2 o'clock the big group came trundling past Chanonry and I was able to get shots of Rainbow and Mischief (in the photo) and Nevis and Sundance with about a dozen others including some Cromarty dolphins that I don't see that often so it was a really mixed bunch.


Copyright WDCS/Charlie Phillips

Kesslet and Charlie were with Squat Fin, Zephyr and wee Breeze and they all went round into Fortrose Bay and were in search mode looking for more tasty little herring. It was freezing cold but it just shows you that patience can be rewarded - even if you lose feeling to your nose, feet and fingers!

Best Wishes,

Charlie.

Hi Everyone,

Please remember our feathered friends when the weather is as wintry as it is just now - bird food and some water (very important) will keep these wee souls from perishing. This cheeky Starling was sitting on frosty branches outside my house the other day - Starlings are great mimics and can impersonate the calls of other birds and make more sounds like ringing telephones and car engines. They used to be very common but in some areas they are very rare.


Copyright WDCS/Charlie Phillips

Tides are getting better for dolphins so I'll hopefully start to see some over the next few days. Talking about dolphins....the Adopt a Dolphin website has had a makeover. Click HERE to have a look at it.

Best Wishes,

Charlie.