My view over Clatteringshaws Loch used on BBC Website

Good to see another one of my pictures used on the BBC South Scotland News page. This time it's of Clatteringshaws Loch taken from the slopes of Benniguinea hill:

I've been Shortlisted for the Just Cause 3 Trailer Competition!

I am both surprised and flattered to have been shortlisted in the top 21 of the Just Cause 3 Trailer competition (https://mytrailer.justcause.com/).

The competition involved creating a trailer for the new video game using whatever resources you wanted, but they provided you with some gameplay footage and a licensed music track. You could use as much or as little of the video and music provided to compete in 3 categories: Best Use of Audio, Best Action and Best Humour. As a music composer, I went for writing my own score to a video I put together from the supplied gameplay footage, aiming for the Best Use of Audio category.

With thousands of international entries I am chuffed to have been selected and it's great to get this recognition for my music.

It is a shame however, that certain individuals who failed to make the shortlist felt the need to publically write hateful vindictive comments under my video entry on YouTube. It saddens me that there are people out there who enjoy upsetting people like me (I was not the only one targetted) who have put a lot of work into their entries. As a result I was forced to disable comments on my video. If you do like my video, please feel free to click the 'thumbs up' underneath it to show your support. Thanks.

Here is my entry:

You can view the rest of the excellent finalists here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLX4thG13UY4X-1DDaoC40sJ1Ro-PhGSB
Show them some love too!

My Photo of Powillimount on BBC Website

Thanks again to BBC South Scotland for using one of my images on their website - this time a shot of Powillimount beach:

Southwick Burn Cinemagraphs

Lots of water coming down the burn today!

Interesting behaviour of Feathered Thorns

This November there seemed to be a mass hatching of hundreds of Feathered Thorn moths about but this wasn't the most interesting thing I discovered.
Upon releasing a Feathered Thorn I had caught the night before, I noticed that the moth flew straight up into the air and then flew into a large mature beech tree and then suddenly fell in a tumbling motion that mimicked a falling autumn leaf all the way to the ground amongst the already fallen leaves. I only wish I had filmed it now!
I don't know if anyone else has noticed this before but it must be some kind of predator avoidance behaviour! It's amazing what you learn about nature when you look closely.

Feathered Thorn on my finger!

Clatteringshaws - Loch View Walk

A nice semi-autumnal walk above Clatteringshaws Loch. Pretty good weather for October too. Here's a few shots from the walk:

Clatteringshaws Loch from the slopes of Benniguinea.

Black and white HDR photo of  Clatteringshaws Loch from Benniguinea.

Black and white photo of  Clatteringshaws Loch from Benniguinea.

Stag's-horn Clubmoss creeping across the path

Mull of Galloway

A few pics from my recent visit to the Mull of Galloway. Excellent weather for October and plenty of wildlife to be seen, including several porpoises (too far away for photos unfortunately!).

Common Darter.

Looking across cliffs to Gallie Craig cafe.

Mull of Galloway Trust Community Buyout 2013 commemorative sign.

Looking uphill towards the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse with overgrown walled garden in foreground.

Burns Walk along the Nith to Lincluden Collegiate Church

Photo walk along Burns path folowing the river Nith to Lincluden Collegiate Church in Dumfries.

Blackbird with Nesting Material

Cow stood in river having a scratch.

Cuckoo flower

Looking across the Nith with stormy skies above.

Commemorative 'portrait bench' of Kirkpatrick Macmillan - cited as inventor of the bicycle - on the Nith Viaduct.

Black and white HDR shot of the inside of Lincluden Abbey

Lincluden Collegiate Church / Priory / Abbey - take your pick!

Arches

Sun rays beam down from the heavens onto this holy place!

Looking through the Queen of the South Viaduct or Nith Viaduct