Ecobird's photos with the keyword: 2023

Found at Crail Harbour. This weathered wall and distressed looking door with peeling paint and rusty bolt caught my eye. I loved the colours in the wall and rough textures that made it look as if it had been battered my storms for a thousand years or more. I have added 'A Thousand Years' by Christina Perri as a link www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtOvBOTyX00&list=RDD8wP3E7gKig&index=22

Captured at the Crinan Canal. I loved the way the highly varnished bench was echoed in the wooden boat here.

Campbeltown captured from across the harbour at Low Askomill. The beautiful three masted tall ship the Thalassa can be seen here and a closer shot is in the PiP.. Built in 1980 the Barquentine Thalassa is one of the most beautiful and fastest sea sailers of the Dutch fleet. Thalassa was built in 1980 in the traditional way and designed as a barquentine. Therefore, the foremast has a transverse rigging; the main mast and the mizzen mast have a longitudinal rigging. She is 47m long and hen this was captured she had just finished a week long whisky tour, but she is also available for cruises and trips. This is in 16.9 so I would appreciate it if you could view this on full screen. Many thanks

Campbeltown Loch, Argyll, Scotland. From this close up shot the tall 'Torbay Palm' trees seem to touch the sky. Framed between the trees you have a glimpse of Davaar Island situated at the mouth of Campbeltown Loch off the east coast of Kintyre I have added 'Touch the Sky' performed by the Mamas www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaGpewYsVaw www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkBdefuCdJg

Captured off the Ganavan Road. Oban. From here you can see the Isle of Lismore with the Isle of Mull behind it. The geese in the PiPs were in the field on the left hand side. The second PiP amused me with the geese at the bottom of the picture buried up to thir necks in grass, - so low in fact I am sure they could almost hear the grass growing!!! I have added a song by the Move called 'I Can Hear The Grass Grow' www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM0CE-O2CFg They put up with us taking photos for a while and then took off (PiP 3) I have also added a song called 'Birds' sung here by Linda Ronstadt www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwnr0i6_L78 Best viewed large I think. Thank you

Captured from across the harbour at Tarbert, Scotland, this shows the Funeral Director's premises and the harbour wall complete with small boat The PiP gives a wider view, - and more walls!! With apologies for the irreverent title! I have added a song called 'The Wall of Death' written by Richard Thompson and performed by Richard and Nanci Griffith www.youtube.com/watch?v=g706diyi9Xc and 'Wall of Death' by REM www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXyRCdNZoOA HWW everyone

Here is a little bit of fun to put the 'Happy' into Happy Fence Friday' Captured at Aberfoyle, Stirling, Scotland. On arrival we were delighted to see a man with this sweet little dog rounding up these ducks, which I believe are Indian Runner Ducks, taking them over an obstacle course and ending at the 'Quack Packers' Hostel!!! It provided us, along with the small crowd that had gathered, with a lot of amusement. The ducks were hilarious. In the main image they looked like they were having a discussion about their chances of 'legging' it!! In the first PiP one has decided to give it a go but the dog was having no nonsense from them and in the final PiP they are heading back to the hostel!! I guess that makes him a 'bird dog'. My link has to be 'Bird Dog' by the Everly Bothers www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjxGlFkxzOQ Best viewed large I think. Thank you

Stirling Castle, Scotland and the PiP shows the Wallace Monument Best viewed large I think, thank you. Stirling castle dates from the early 12th century, with a lot of the important buildings within the walls added between 1490 - 1600. Built high on a crag with steep cliffs on three sides It was a very important castle both strategically and historically with many batltles fought over it. During the wars of independence it changed hands eight times over a 50 year period. When Edward I of England invaded Scotland in 1296 he found the castle empty and claimed it. After 60 years of war the English were defeated by the Scots led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The leaders of the English army retreated into the castle but were starved into surrender by the Scots Recent history sees the castle as the home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlands. Concerts have been held here inluding the one by Runrig in 2017. The National Wallace Monument is a monument to Scottish hero William Wallace. Sited on Abbey Craig, a hilltop overlooking Stirling, it is said to be the point from which William Wallace watched the gathering of Edward I's army before the Battle of Stirling. The link I have chosen to go with these images is by Runrig, live from Stirling Castle. Here is 'Hearts of Olden Glory' www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7cId63P65E

Reflections of the Kelpies at Helix Park, Falkirk. As Kelpies are said to be aquatic water spirits I though I would capture them in their habitat!! The Kelpie are said to be malevolent, shape shifting spirits that often take the form of horses that lure people to their death. Once on the horse's back they find themselves 'stuck' and unable to dismount and are taken down to the depths and drowned. One such tale is of ten children who encountered a kelpie, nine of who climbed onto it's back, instantly sticking to it. The tenth just touched the kelpie and unable to pull free managed to cut off his finger in order to escape. Sadly the other nine were carried off by the kelpie and were never again seen. They also appear as humans, - sometimes as a beautiful young lady to entice unsuspecting young men to a watery grave. So think carefully guys, - the young girl who looks to be a beauty after a few drinks may well be the death of you!!! Should you encounter a horse by a river or stream take care if you pet him. If it is a kelpie and not a real horse remember the power of the kelpie and it's weak spot lies in his bridle. If you have a safe grip on the bridle you can control the kelpie but beware as kelpies are extremely strong! The first PiP is of the Kelpies (on land!!) with an enraptured man gazing at them and the 2nd PiP is a sign that I thought fitted the theme well. I have added a link by Bob Dylan called Spirit on the Water www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NJetQTkK84 A little bit of a tenuous link for the second link I have used this song as the Kelpies story is a (myth or) legend and because of the lyrics.. John Legend and 'All of Me' www.youtube.com/watch?v=450p7goxZqg 'My head's underwater and I am breathing fine;

Captured beside the Clachan Bridge next to the Clachan Sound. I have added this photo and PiP as I have had some comments on my last picture about the potato spinner. So for all of those who are interested this is a close shot and the explanation of it's use in the PiP Thank you for looking and for your interest.

Picture beside the car parking area on the Seil Island side of the Clachan Bridge with a nicely 'decorated' old wall and a view of Clachan Sound, nr Oban. Scotland The old piece of equipment in the picture is a potato spinner. The link is 'Sound and Vision' by David Bowie www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkTzQ7-RN4

Kelpies are shape shifting aquatic spirits that often take the form of horses, although they can take human form. They inhabit the rivers and lochs of Scotland and In some tales they lure unsuspecting humans down to the depths to a watery grave. The Kelpies at Helix Park, Falkirk are fantastic sculptures designed by Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. They are 30 metres high (100 feet) and were designed to pay homage to Scotland's working horses who used to pull barges along the canals. These magnificent sculptures dominate the landscape and I understand are beautifully lit at night. There are also two smaller versions outside of the restaurant and two more at Ardrishaig harbour. I have added a track called 'Kelpie' by Jethro Tull www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyR7pdLDz_g a second track is a nod to the shapeshifting kelpie . Here are the Shapeshifters with Lola's Theme (I'm a Different Person) www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIC0aQ56ASE HBM. (Best viewed large I think. Thank you)

Clachan Bridge 6000

Seals basking in the sun at Macrihanish, west of Campbeltown at the tip of Kintyre. RAF Machrihanish is now MoD Macrihanish which incorporates Campeltown airport, and it has the second longest runway in Europe. The US maintained a Navy SEAL Commando unit here - the 20 person Navy Special Warfare Detachment 1 and it was also used by the Royal Marines for training exercises It was a strategically important NATO airfield during the Cold War, and was sold to MoD in June 1995. I have added a song by Seal called 'Secret' as a nod to the top secret airbase and the SEAL unit once based there www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDm4CQydktc Best viewed large, I think. Thank you

Captured at the Crinan Basin this pretty little lighthouse marks the western entrance to the 9 mile long Crinan Canal connecting Crinan to Ardrishaig and the Sound of Jura. Built in 1851 this tapered hexagonal cement rendered tower has an iron railed gallery and wooden lantern with pyramidal roof and filial and is fitted with an external ladder. Modern navigational lights are in place On a lovely sunny day the bench affords a lovely place to sit and enjoy the view, - or maybe just take a nap like the person seated on the left, but I am taking a nap so please don't turn out the lights!! I have added a song by the Gibb Collective ( the Gibb Brothers' children) called 'Please Don't Turn Out The Lights' www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbz8sLY3ZdY I have also added Lighthouse by Birdy as my second link www.youtube.com/watch?v=UphFYOraqKM