We travel to the Cairngorms in Scotland for an adventure in some stunning wintery snow conditions to capture some wildlife and landscape photography.
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Last week I missed uploading a video for the first time in two and half years and it’s good to be back. I head up to Scotland to visit the Cairngorms with my very good friend Lyle McCalmont, to capture some landscape photography and wildlife photography. Lyle is an expert wildlife photographer and is my sole inspiration to go out and capture our animal friends. In this video he takes me deep into the Cairngorm woods to photograph the Crestie, known locally as the ‘Crestie’. A small and interesting bird that moves incredibly quickly and is pretty shy compared to the other locals.
See Lyles YouTube channel here –
The day did not go exactly according to plan. Every time I travel to Scotland I am overwhelmed by the scale of the place. I am often associated with the Lake District, it is truly an incredible place and dear to my heart but Scotland takes things to a whole other level. The mountains are taller and the lochs are bigger than the lakes, but the highlands are so very huge and isolated in a way that will humble any person. The scale of the place is so very impressive but it makes it difficult to capture your best landscape photography. When you do not know a place, photographing it is a real challenge. Travelling to a new location and trying to find a good composition can be frustrating when you know something amazing could be round the next corner but you just can’t see it.
I did my best to overcome this and find some nice shots. I succeeded in one sense but failed in another when I could not make a picture out of the incredible trees that were on offer. It was very good fun capturing some wildlife photography though. I am not always a big fan but I do enjoy the challenge of a bit of bird capture. The crestie turned out to be very shy but I still managed to grab a couple of decent snaps of the bird that only shows itself in the Cairngorms.
The snowy and wintery landscape provided some superb opportunities for some top draw drone footage that was immensely enjoyable. The frozen water of Loch Morlich was also an incredible sight to witness. I feel incredibly privileged and it will be something I never forget.
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Great clip!
Great video, I would love to travel to Scotland. Beautiful country
Very nice sharp photos. You mention the lens is a 400mm f5.6. I’m finally going on a safari in Africa and need a good long lens, maybe one of the lower priced newer ones but have to decide soon. Could you please tell me exactly which lens you used on this shoot and maybe which lens you would recommend in addition to this one. Thanks.
Please could you do more videos like this. Please
The view from the balcony in the opening sequence was stunning. Was it a hotel or your mate's house? Good shots of the birds. For me it's wildlife all the way: I doubt I could produce a good landscape to save my life. When I owned Canon kit the 400mm f5.6L was the only lens I could not get on with. I think it was the lack of image stabilisation.
Stunning video Adam! How lucky to be able to enjoy such wonderful landscapes, in Scotland.
Loved the video Adam and your panorama of Loch Morlich. The drone footage was great, gave me a different view of an area I've been to a lot.
Great bird shots. I love wildlife photography. Hope you do more in the future.
Loved it adam👍🏻 wildlife looks very addictive but frustrating lol
Great video Adam with some cracking bird shots. The Loch Garden RSPB centre is one of my favourite photography spots and I always visit there when I am in the Aviemore area.
Great Photography love the wildlife shots awesome
great video,what kind of drone did you use for the aerial shots? Thank you
Great video! I love observing nature, explore and decompress…
Even a dedicated landscape photographer can shoot wildlife. Nicely done. I like the aerial footage.
super
how can you see people, who do not like something like that ? …bitter of life.
Stunning scenery, Adam, splendidly captured! Well done!
Great video Adam, and beautiful B-Roll footage!
Hi Adam
I don't know if I've ever commented before… but I have been watching your videos for the better part of a year now. Your videos and your photography are always a treat for me. I always look forward the next video. I enjoy your videos like I enjoy a movie… I don't watch them in haste. I wait until I have some down time at home and then I watch your videos when things are peaceful and calm. Thank you for what you do! You never fail to make my day better. Your work is beautiful and I love your demeanor. You're positive and your love for your craft shines through! I find that inspiring.
I spent a little time in the Cairngorms a few years ago, but since I was traveling internationally, I didn't get to carry much equipment. I could easily have spent a week there! It was summer, so it was warm. The hiking was gorgeous. It was a pleasant surprise that you were there for this video… it made me feel a little connected to you and your work!
Thanks again and keep up the great work! You are a delight to watch!
Be well!
P.S. Your patience paid off… the photos of the cresties were spot on! Beautiful!
I have to say I am not a big fan of wildlife photography however you have captured some fantastic images!, loving the drone footage as well!
Really nice bird shots 🙂
Would love to see more of the mountains around Cairngorms!
Do you use a service for your music or how do you find it? 🙂
enjoyed the scenery and your energy you put in it…. I definitely need to go there…
I enjoyed your video.
You do some studio photography. Why not have one or two of those ready to go for those times you might not have time to prepare your usual weekly? It would make easier scheduling around Xmas and other holidays, birthdays and other important anniversaries and so on.
Makes me wanna travel to Scotland again soon. The Cairngorms, Aviemore and surroundings are just full of photo opportunities. As is most of Scotland.
Stunning Bird photographs, would it be possible to shoot with a mirror lens instead of a 400mm
Hi Adam, can I ask a couple of questions?
When using a tripod and shooting using the timer should I have the lens vibration reduction turned off?
And using live view+timer should the view finder be covered over?
Thanks for any advice very much appreciated.
Great video Adam! Really enjoyed another awesome video!
I loved your drone footage, your bird photos (not the first one so much, watch those highlights in the background!) And loved the panorama too!
I love this guy… and his way of talking.. !
Hello Adam,
Nice video, my favorite is the panoramic image at the end. The composition just feels right.
Great video, the biggest tip I have taken from it is where you are waiting for the cloud cover to break & not to settle for second best in the shot. Good stuff thank you
How much I relate to your comments at the start, trying to capture that woodland composition compared to ones eyes! Great video as ever!
Cracking video Adam. Fantastic production too. Personally I thought the bird shots were sublime. Welcome to the drone crash Club 🙂
HI Adam, as a birder myself, I can say you captured some beautiful bird shots there mate. Smart move getting down to their level, much better than shooting down on them.
Loved latest vlog Adam. I am going to cairngorms in may. Whereabouts were you when you photographed the birds?
Very Pro!! Love it.
Love the opening montage to this video Adam, amazing footage 🙂 I live quite near the Cairngorms and want to get in about them now after seeing this.
What kind of bird photography is this this guy is speaking so loudly and the birds are not photographed in a wild way but fed and captured.the photos are sharp though
Great vlog, Loved the bird shots. What an awesome location.
Great work Adam. Really enjoyed the pano image. Hope the drone is ok. Thanks for sharing.
What are the gloves you are wearing that allow you to fold back the finger section?
Loved the video, I was on the other side of the Cairngorms the last two weekends (I live in Aberdeen) but missed all the 'proper' snow as I was working in Glasgow. I also managed to crash my Mavic into a tree last Friday, thankfully it was at head height and it fell out!!
Super video Adam, beautiful scenery