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Articles

Whispers of the Highland Raptors: A Day in Dumfries & Galloway

In the heart of Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland, where the wild moors stretch as far as the eye can see, I found an unexpected opportunity to realize a dream of mine. As we journeyed through the rugged landscapes of this picturesque region on September 16th, 2023, the elements conspired to create a dramatic backdrop - overcast, wet, and undeniably moody. The weather could hardly be more Scottish, yet this wouldn’t deter us from going adventuring. We had embarked on one of our wild-camping escapades, a weekly ritual of ours. However, this time the compact confines of our Nissan Juke were further challenged by the presence of our bull terrier Zuri, who was making her debut as our adventure companion. After spending our morning lazily sipping coffee and throwing the ball for Zuri, we packed up the car and set off southward around 2:20pm, driving past Stinchar Bridge deeper into the Galloway hills. Amidst the undulating valleys, our adventure took an unexpected turn when Kris suddenly exclaimed "Raptors!" and pointed towards the stream below. There, were two magnificent birds of prey soaring against the green and brown background. We couldn't identify the species, but we were still delighted at the photographic opportunity that presented itself. Immediately, I slammed the brakes, propelling our unexpecting Zuri out of Kris’s lap and onto the dashboard.  Although she did not squeal, she did glare at me with an air of disapproval. I gave her a quick head scratch, hoping that it would suffice as an apology, and rushed to prepare my gear. However, as quickly as they had appeared, the raptors had vanished into the vast expanse of the Scottish wilderness. My initial disappointment was palpable, but I held onto a glimmer of hope: I could hear inconsistent chirps coming from the valley downlihh, which I decided to believe were the chicks of the mating pair we had just observed. Hoping I was right, I chose to assume the parents wouldn’t have ventured too far and were bound to come back. Determined to seize this rare opportunity, I kept my camera poised, in spite of the biting cold and relentless wind. This was a dream come true, my first encounter with wild raptors in such proximity. The weather may have been unforgiving, but my resolve remained unshaken. After what seemed like an eternity, the raptors reappeared in the far distance, flying in circles further up the hill I was standing on. In spite of the distance and less-than-ideal conditions, I snapped numerous shots of these majestic creatures. Although none of the shots were perfect, I managed to capture the essence of the moment when one of the raptors dove in pursuit of prey. The thrill of witnessing such a spectacle, frozen in time through my lens, was a moment of pure magic. I was so absorbed by this distant hunter, eye stuck to the viewfinder of my camera, that I almost missed its partner flying silently down in the valley below. When the white and brown shape making its way down the valley finally caught my attention, I attempted to turn the camera around so fast that I tripped on the leg of my tripod. Miraculously, nothing fell, nothing broke! Neither my gear nor my determination. It is when attempting to keep one of these birds centered in my viewfinder at such a close range that I truly realize the speed with which they fly. And, as if the fact that this bird was flying at a speed that seemed nearly relativistic wasn’t making it difficult enough to get a good shot, this is also the moment my camera’s auto-focus system chose to become confused by the landscape. The bird’s impressive camouflage was making it impossible for the auto-focus system to tell it apart from the surrounding landscape. While keeping my face firmly stuck to the camera, so as to not lose track of the bird in my viewfinder, I scrambled to find the manual focus switch on my lens. In spite of my nearly frozen hand struggling, first to locate and then to action the switch, I finally managed to change the lens’s focus setting. Immediately, I moved my hand to the focus ring and started seeking the right setting. I was painfully aware that I had at best a whole 5 seconds before the bird disappeared out of my sight and missing such a stunning shot would have been quite a disappointment. Thankfully, I managed to bring the bird into focus a capture the below picture right before it passed behind the foreground. I returned to the car frozen to the core but I carried with me the warmth of a dream realized, the thrill of wild raptors in flight, and the knowledge that I had captured a glimpse of their untamed spirit. Now, dear reader, I invite you to bring a piece of Scotland's untamed wilderness into your home. The print-on-metal version of the captivating shot I captured that day awaits you. Let it transport you to the moody moors and dramatic skies of Dumfries & Galloway, where the whispers of the highland raptors still echo in the wind. Click the image on the right and embark on your own journey through the lens of my camera, where dreams meet reality, and the spirit of the wild is forever preserved in art.