The Maid of the Forth runs landing trips to Inchcolm Island, with it’s wildlife and an Abbey. Being unsure of parking in Queensferry, we tool the bus from Ferrytoll P&R over the Forth Road Bridge and walked down through Queensferry to Hawes Pier. Thge Forth Bridge – the famous rail bridge – crosses the river just east of the Pier.
I hadn’t realised how busy the river is there, nor that seals hauls out onto the rafts with the navigation lights on! They are large enough to produce a bit of a list. The trip also gave great views from the water of the three bridges – the Forth Bridge, the Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing.
It was nesting time for the birds on Inchcolm, which were mostly Herring Gulls, and they are very protective of their nests. We also saw some Oyster Catchers and Eider ducks, and a fews puffins. Many of the gulls were sitting on eggs, but there were a few fluffy chicks tucked up against their parent.
They are not that fussy about where they deposit guano, luckily they missed us, and they often flew quite close so taking photos of them was easier than of the kites at Argaty.
- Shutter speed: 1/1600s
- Aperture: ƒ/9
- ISO: 400
- Focal length: 150mm
- Camera: PENTAX K-3 Mark III