GOOD NATURE OF NATURE WATCHERS

It doesn't happen often but there are some "good natured" people out there that can just make your day...

Making the most of cold but sunny weekend decided to go up to New Lanark and Falls of Clyde for a wee walk. It is the time of the year when peregrines start nesting with one of the pairs nesting just next to the public path (not that we knew it before setting off!). The Scottish Wildlife Trust takes no chances and set up a 24h watch of the nesting couple to make sure the eggs are not stolen or ruthlessly destroyed by pigeon fancies (yes, the weird people who think pigeons are the top animal to keep).

Two lads are constantly keeping a watch, encouraging visitors to peek through telescopes and answering any questions about the birds. For many here this is the first such a close encounter with these mighty birds - overall a great idea to raise awareness and get people interested in wildlife.

When I took out my camera and was about to put the 200mm lens on, one of the guys asked me what's the glass I'm using. I proudly told him "300mm on that one" and stared mounting it on the D300 body. At that point he disappeared in the shed and two minutes later re-appeared with a rocket launcher on a wooden stand in his hand (considering he was wearing green camouflage jacket it just didn't look good...)

"try this one" he said pointing at the rocket launcher... the mighty 2000mm f11 reflex lens by NIKON... 17kg of glass and steel, two knobs, built in filters and great optics... 3000mm on my digit!!!!!

I put the camera on, get it set up (not an easy task as no tripod would take this monster lens!) and took a few shots.



Nothing great but the experience of playing with the monster and the generosity of the guy are just such a refreshing experience.

How often does it happen that somebody offers you to play with their photo gear?

To learn more about the nesting pair of peregrines visit Peregrine Diaries. And if you around New Lanark in the next three months make sure you take a walk up the Clyde and have a look what they up to... and who knows - maybe you'll have a chance to see the unique 2000mm f11?



rocket launcher in action...



On the way back few shots of a friendly robin - this time with the tiny, shiny, lightweight Nikkor 200mm f2.8...

IMPORTANCE OF G&T IN PHOTOGRAPHY...

Nice sunny day in Glasgow (unusual, I know!), few white clouds on the sky and a good chance for magnificent sunset. so we decided to go to the quayside to get some "fantastic sunset" shots.

As it was windy, the prettier half decided to go and wait for me in the bar of the Crowne Plaza hotel, whilst I went on looking for the right spot.

After an hour of scoping for a good viewpoint (unsuccessful I'm afraid!), the sky getting blunter and blunter (flat, lifeless light) I finally gave up and started making my way to the hotel.

"no luck this time" I thought, took a couple of shots "to the sun" and went to the bar. fingers frozen, I needed a drink and G&T sounded like the right remedy... Damn - unlucky again as a small G&T costs a fiver (!!!) and it's not even with some nice, posh gin! well, "C'est la vie". we finished the drinks, sorted the bill with somehow unfriendly barman and left to fetch the car.

And that's when the ridiculous price of G&T finally was worth it! a view I was waiting for...



The conclusion is that if it wasn't for the overpriced and unfriendly G&T (well, the staff was unfriendly, Mr Gordon was OK) we would have gone home with not even one shot! Long live G&T (or any other alcoholic beverage that will keep you longer on - or near - the location!)

MADE (NOT) IN...

Yes, even companies like NIKON moved to the dark side. Recently I was looking at a new flashgun for my gear and, to my surprise, it now says
MADE IN CHINA

I was very happy with gear made in Japan, I was still happy when most of cameras and lenses came from Thailand.



The Granny in the Bubun village

But recently it becomes more and more difficult to ensure that whilst I try to capture an unspoilt landscape or endangered animal, the gear I use might have contribute to great environmental disasters through contributing taxes to governments with little concern?

This is a good questions for many photographers to address: can I look into the eyes of some nations knowing that the lens I look through contributes to their suffering???

All this thoughts crammed into my mind whilst spending time in Aboriginal village of Bunun tribe up in Taiwanese mountains...