Walking my dog Skye

BethAtTheHug

BethAtTheHug

Suspended / Banned
Messages
716
Name
Beth
Edit My Images
Yes
I've been thinking for a while I should have a little project, maybe photography related. And then recently my head reminded me of a lovely book I've read a number of times called "Walking my dog Jane" by Ned Rozell. And one thing led to another so here is a project where I'll gather a few photos of my walks with Skye.

I'm thinking a lot of them will be of Skye amongst the scenery, but not all. And maybe giving me a focus will help improve my photos. I'm not one to set up a sunset at a specific place, or setup anything. I see something and take a snap along the way. Some walks will be our low-level regular places through the seasons but with a bit of luck, health and weather permitting, we'll get up a few munros this year too.

See what happens.

January 3rd:
We went to Contin for a kick about in the woods.

a7c01282 20250103
 
That's a great idea Beth!

and what a fantastic image to start, I think Skye will be very popular.
 
January 4th
To escape an emergency boiler man visit we headed up past Loch Maree to the Red Stable, which is now green(!) with the idea of heading for Loch na h-Oidhche (loch of the night) but given the short daylight hours didn't expect to go that far,

Northern end of Beinn an Eòin in the distance
a7c01366 20250104


The wiggly Abhainn a' Gharbh-choire (river of the rough coire) below the northern end of Creag an Fhithich - Baosbheinn
a7c01459 20250104
 
Last edited:
Those very low clouds will catch the sun on top for some stunning background sky.

Youre going to have a great time, really looking forward to these.
 
January 9th

Loch Glascarnoch. Sunshine and deep snow made for more interesting photos. We crossed the dam, slightly scary to see the water level very high, and wandered along the track on the far side towards the Vaich Hydro power station. The local ghillie had been along with some clients and made packed tramlines for us to walk in. Whilst in the fenced off regeneration area we saw 3 deer cross the track ahead, but wasn't quick enough for photos.

a7c01575 20250109


a7c01604 20250109


a7c01665 20250109
 
January 18th

This morning's sunrise was a cracker and the estate's play equipment gave the foreground a little more interest.

We then went off to Lochinver to get pies before the shop shut for the rest of the month. Whilst walks were short Skye did get cuddles on the front seat of the van so it wasn't all bad!

Tomorrow we're off for a decent walk, maybe a hill. See what the weather is doing first thing.


IMG_20250118_081608270-EDIT.jpg
 
I hadn't felt up to much for a few days whilst on antibiotics for a bad wisdom tooth, but we fitted in a couple of walks in different places. Now the tooth is gone I seem to have a bit more brain to catch up with stuff.

January 21st

We took a stroll along the beach and Skye had fun in the surf playing with sticks.
rx 09721 20250121



January 22nd

The weather forecast was better in the east, where we live, but I fancied an outing out west to Loch Maree, to do some reading and a gentle walk or two.

A couple from the Beinn Eighe Nation Nature Reserve Woodland Trail.

a7c01958 20250122


Whilst Slioch was in cloud, Beinn an Mhùinidh had a wee bit of sun and a shower in Gleann Bianasdail. Whilst trying to find a better composition I noticed Skye getting in the frame.

a7c01972 20250122


No visit to Loch Maree is complete without at least a paddle.

a7c01990 20250122
 
Thanks! We only had a low of -8c at home, but parts of the northern Highlands went down to -18c. Funnily enough it wasn't too bad, the air felt really dry and no breeze.
 
Yes, but it was Feb last year. I've only been round there once, but thinking only the other day I should visit again.

I commented on your thread:
www.talkphotography.co.uk

Join me on a Tour of the Photographic Cliches of the Torridon Area (a few more added)

First set shot on Sony A7Rii and 16-35 f4 pz - got another lot with my RX10iv which I'll add later, might be an interesting comparison:) Beinn Eighe from Loch Coulin by Mike Smith, on Flickr Sgùrr Dubh by Mike Smith, on Flickr Not that House Again?! by Mike Smith, on Flickr Mountains and...
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk
 
BethAtTheHug said:
Yes, but it was Feb last year. I've only been round there once, but thinking only the other day I should visit again.

I commented on your thread:
www.talkphotography.co.uk

Join me on a Tour of the Photographic Cliches of the Torridon Area (a few more added)

First set shot on Sony A7Rii and 16-35 f4 pz - got another lot with my RX10iv which I'll add later, might be an interesting comparison:) Beinn Eighe from Loch Coulin by Mike Smith, on Flickr Sgùrr Dubh by Mike Smith, on Flickr Not that House Again?! by Mike Smith, on Flickr Mountains and...
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk
Click to expand...
Ah yes of course! I'm so sorry - the brain is clearly going fast:headbang: :LOL:
 
davholla said:
Niee although I guess not short and t-shirt weather.
Click to expand...

Not bad really, relatively mild. I was a bit warm whilst walking and about right when stopped. I met the gamekeeper's Mrs who said it was absolutely bitter the day before. Sounded much brighter with a lot more snow on the tops too but I couldn't get out then.
 
Friday February 7th

We had a superb walk into Loch a' Choire ibelow Creag Meagaidh. The walk in was very pleasant with good sunshine and very little breeze for much of it. Reaching the loch a cold wind came up behind us and was absolutely brutal. Skye demanded lunch, but I'd failed to bring her any so she had some of my beef rib. Lots of climbers in the gullies and crags with calls echoing around. I would have liked to have stayed longer but even with my down jacket on I was cooling down, even starting the walk back with it on. Really awesome place.

a7c02636 20250207


a7c02734 20250207


a7c02778 20250207


a7c02893 20250207
 
Friday, February 14th

The weather was good in the west again so we headed off in the direction of Gairloch and stopped at the Red Hut, now green, for a walk towards Loch na h-Oidhche. With an overnight temperature in the minuses I did wonder how the stepping stones crossing the Abhainn Loch na h-Oidhche would be, but quickly dismissed that intrusive little thought. Whatever, it's a good walk anyway.

What with the disappointed looks on recent walks where I didn't have lunch for her, she carried it herself.

Walk markers, but the paths have long since been lost to the bogs.
a7c02954 20250214


Trees regenerating.
a7c02973 20250214


The ford and stepping stones looking a bit icy for a comfortable crossing.
a7c03054 20250214


A rock with a view, Slioch in the background.
a7c03095 20250214
 
Last edited:
Ah interesting. It's been a few years since I tried to follow anything other than the main track. I took the right fork in the track and found the bridge over the Abhainn a' Garbh Choire but by then had enough of the absolute swamp. The rest I could see didn't fill me with enthusiasm. A couple I met the other day were heading for Bad an Sgalaig and they only do it when it's either frozen or a dry spell.
 
Saturday 22nd February.

The Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve Woodland Trail, again.

It's been a post-injection week so been feeling (un)fairly crap and only wanted a light walk to blow the cobwebs away. Yesterday was a get out before the weather turned wetter and wilder so despite being nicer east we went west :cool:
Skye doesn't mind a bit of rain and anyway there's no way she'd stay dry visiting Loch Maree. There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. All right!

I slipped the wee RX!00 Mk7 in my pocket and went for it.


rx 09843 20250222


rx 09890 20250222


rx 09931 20250222


rx 09954 20250222


Sadly I hadn't noticed the stray branch in the foreground.

rx 00004 20250222
 
Lovely , Just wish I was fit enough for things like this .
 
Hmm. I'm not particularly fit. The Woodland Trail is very short but steep, so I slow down and just plod those bits. The longer walks I really have to build up to each one and pick a good day.
 
Great idea for a thread and some excellent landscape (and Skye shots) up there (y) Especially like the 2nd shot in last set with Skye standing in the stream, for me I think it works better (usually:))when you haves eye contact with the dog.
 
BethAtTheHug said:
Saturday 22nd February.

The Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve Woodland Trail, again.

It's been a post-injection week so been feeling (un)fairly crap and only wanted a light walk to blow the cobwebs away. Yesterday was a get out before the weather turned wetter and wilder so despite being nicer east we went west :cool:
Skye doesn't mind a bit of rain and anyway there's no way she'd stay dry visiting Loch Maree. There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. All right!

I slipped the wee RX!00 Mk7 in my pocket and went for it.


rx 09843 20250222


rx 09890 20250222


rx 09931 20250222


rx 09954 20250222


Sadly I hadn't noticed the stray branch in the foreground.

rx 00004 20250222
Click to expand...
Makes me want a dog again…hours of walking and hunting for nothing in particular
 
nog said:
Great idea for a thread and some excellent landscape (and Skye shots) up there (y) Especially like the 2nd shot in last set with Skye standing in the stream, for me I think it works better (usually:))when you haves eye contact with the dog.
Click to expand...

My greatest problem - getting Skye to look at me. Sometimes she just wont and turns her head one way then the other, if I'm lucky I can catch her in the middle. Or a bit of side eye.
Never work with children and animals!
 
Zak54 said:
Makes me want a dog again…hours of walking and hunting for nothing in particular
Click to expand...

Skye is number 5, it's fair to say we're serial dog owners. For us, well me mainly, a walk without a dog is really not the same. For my OH it's the empty house.

And it gets you out in all weathers, which I don't necessarily enjoy until later back in the dry and warm. I seem to need both the everyday dog walks, plus the going somewhere else every few days otherwise my mental health suffers.
 
BethAtTheHug said:
My greatest problem - getting Skye to look at me. Sometimes she just wont and turns her head one way then the other, if I'm lucky I can catch her in the middle. Or a bit of side eye.
Never work with children and animals!
Click to expand...
My dog (and the one before her) seemed to have a sixth sense for when a phone or camera was pointed at them. Invariably they would stop whatever cute thing they were doing as soon as I switched it on :D
 
Wednesday, 26th February

We had a good walk in to Coire Mhic Fhearchair which is round the back, north, side of Beinn Eighe. From Glen Torridon it's about 4.5 miles each way and 500 metres of ascent.
Lots of deer around which Skye was pointing out but I only managed to spot a couple of groups she was staring at. The Coire was very icy and I had limited time so didn't faff.

Jumping on rocks was her thing today
rx 00042 20250226


Slioch in the distance, with Skye staring at beasties
rx 00250 20250226


A crop of her sat on our 'lunch rock'
rx 00327 20250226


Coire Mhic Fhearchair complete with reflection in the loch
rx 00338 20250226
 
BethAtTheHug said:
My greatest problem - getting Skye to look at me. Sometimes she just wont and turns her head one way then the other, if I'm lucky I can catch her in the middle. Or a bit of side eye.
Never work with children and animals!
Click to expand...
Great landscape shots and she is looking at you sideways in 3rd pic :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top