Dock Park, Dumfries to Kingholm Quay Nith-side Walk

A few shots from a beautiful morning walk from Dock Park in Dumfries to Kingholm Quay, stopping at the Kickpatrick Macmillan bridge on the way. It was so calm, the reflections were flawless.

Boats at Kingholm Quay

Boats at Kingholm Quay

Reflections in the River Nith

Reflections of trees in the River Nith, complete with 'vanishing point'

Looking towards Dumfries reflected in the Nith from Dock Park.

Looking towards Dumfries reflected in the Nith from Dock Park. The derelict building on the left is Rosefield Mills.

Kirkpatrick Macmillan bridge reflected. Kirkpatrick Macmillan is generally credited as being the inventor of the pedal driven bicyle, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirkpatrick_Macmillan for more info.

Looking across the Kirkpatrick Macmillan bridge.

Dino Park at Hetland Garden Centre

Photography is a good excuse for being a big kid at times and this was one of those situations. Seriously though, Dino Park is great fun for all the family. Take a look at a few of the creatures you'll meet:

Velociraptor with Brachiosaur lurking in the background

Icantrememberthenameofasaurus

Stegosaurus

Brachiosaurs and Pteranodon

Brachiosaurs

Parasaurolophus

A very angry Spinosaurus

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Dinosaurs wrecking a park landrover

On the roof!

Easter Island head

Komodo Dragon

Toad

Triceratops

Cockchafer, Wheatear, Orange Tip and Sunshine at RSPB Mersehead

Anyone would think from these pictures that we'd had a gloriously sunny couple of weeks at Mersehead, but these shots were from a couple of nice days in amongst the thunderstorms and rain! Always nice to see a Cockchafer (or May Bug / June Beetle) drop in - surely one of the UK's most impressive Beetles. Followed by stunning views at RSPB Mersehead (taken yesterday). Lastly an Orange Tip and a Wheatear seen at nearby Boreland of Southwick.

Cockchafer at RSPB Mersehead

Cockchafer fanning out it's feathered antennae

Panoramic view from the Bruaich hide at RSPB Mersehead

Path leading to the Bruaich hide at RSPB Mersehead

Orange Tip Butterfly on Bluebell at nearby Boreland of Southwick

Wheatear on mossy dry stane wall at nearby Boreland of Southwick

Groupon Use My Clatteringshaws Photo to Promote D&G Holiday

Check out the Groupon site today and you will see they are offering "Dumfries and Galloway: 1 or 2 Nights For 2 With Breakfast from £39 at Urr Valley Country House Hotel". The picture they are using to promote this deal is my shot of Clatteringshaws Loch (on a much nicer day than today!). Thanks Groupon!

My photo on Groupon

Barend Loch

Some stunning reflections at Barend Loch and Holiday Village today!

Natterjack and Common Toads at Mersehead

After the devastation of the dunes at RSPB Mersehead a few months ago it was looking uncertain as to whether the Natterjack Toad population here had survived. Went for a quick scout today with a Natterjack licence holder and found this large male, which is good news.
Also found some mating Common Toads.

Male Natterjack with characteristic yellow stripe down back.

Mating Common Toads

Mating Common Toads

Male Natterjack Toad

Mersehead Sands and Southwick Water Estuary

A few shots taken at the estuary of Southwick Water on Mersehead Sands.

Bank built up with cockle shells

Layers of silt

Composite shot of a dusky scene at Mersehead

Waterfall just West of Mersehead Nature Reserve on the Southwick Water estuary.

As above.

Southwick Water Estuary with cockle shell lined stream.

As above.

My Demolished Dunes Picture on BBC Website

The BBC have published my photograph of the devastation of the sand dunes on Mersehead Beach today. The dunes were lost in the storm and high tide that hit earlier this month. Read the story here.

My picture (bottom) on the BBC News website.