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A Nature Voyage

Exploring & observing nature

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Iceland

  • Canada
  • December 26, 2017

2017 in travel & my 2018 travel plans

Ok, I know everyone is doing these posts right now and I’m jumping right on that bandwagon because I love reading about where people have been and their plans for the year ahead.   I seriously love organising trips; it...

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  • Iceland
  • December 5, 2017

12 photos to inspire you to visit Iceland’s Snaefellsnes Peninsula right now

  It’s been almost a year since my Mum and I went to Iceland and by far one of the highlights was our trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula with Gateway to Iceland.   Since we were visiting in December, neither...

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11 fun and free things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Featured
  • March 14, 2017

11 fun, free things to do in Reykjavik

It’s true; Reykjavik is an expensive city (especially if you’re British because the exchange rate is so bad for us). Luckily, there are plenty of free things you can do while exploring Iceland’s capital city.   Admire some weird and...

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What to take on a winter trip to Iceland
  • Iceland
  • February 21, 2017

What to take on a winter trip to Iceland

There is a saying in Iceland, “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing and bad attitudes” and it is so true. If you’re headed to Iceland during the winter and want to stay warm and dry,...

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Photographing the northern lights outside Reykjavik with Arctic Shots
  • Featured
  • February 7, 2017

I saw the northern lights in Iceland & I’m gonna spam you with photos of it

Seeing the northern lights is probably on most people’s “list”, and that dream finally came true for me in Iceland a few weeks ago. A few months before heading to Iceland, I came across Arctic Shots; a tour company based...

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Exploring Reykjavik with CityWalks' free walking tour
  • Iceland
  • January 31, 2017

Discover Reykjavik with a free walking tour from CityWalks

One of the best ways to find out about a destination is to speak with the locals; and that’s exactly what happens on CityWalks’ free walking tour of Reykjavik. While my Mum and I were researching what to do in...

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10 pieces of Reykjavik's street art you need to see and where to find it
  • Iceland
  • January 12, 2017

10 pieces of Reykjavik’s street art you need to see & where to find it

Reykjavik might not be the kind of city you’d associated with a big street art scene, but you cannot miss the colourful, and slightly bizarre, pieces plastered on shop fronts, peeking out from alleyways, and on the pavement. This post...

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Instagram

Everyday I’m shovelin’
The shoveler (or northern shoveler, as they’re called in some places) is unmistakeable thanks to it’s HUGE bill. Imagine the neck muscles they must have to lug that big ol’ bill about.

But why do they have such a big duck snoot? Because it’s a kind of colander. Shovelers have something called lamellae on the inside of their bill (they look like the teeth on combs), which helps them to filter out tasty snacks (aquatic invertebrates and teeny crustaceans) from the water. The bigger your colander bill is, the faster you can get more food. Makes sense right? 

#Shoveler #NorthernShoveler #Birding #BirdNerd BritishBirds #RSPB_Love_Birds #NatureNerd #SciCommer #Sigma150600 #LochLeven #Kinross #BBCSpringwatch #MySigma
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Everyday I’m shovelin’
The shoveler (or northern shoveler, as they’re called in some places) is unmistakeable thanks to it’s HUGE bill. Imagine the neck muscles they must have to lug that big ol’ bill about. But why do they have such a big duck snoot? Because it’s a kind of colander. Shovelers have something called lamellae on the inside of their bill (they look like the teeth on combs), which helps them to filter out tasty snacks (aquatic invertebrates and teeny crustaceans) from the water. The bigger your colander bill is, the faster you can get more food. Makes sense right? #Shoveler #NorthernShoveler #Birding #BirdNerd BritishBirds #RSPB_Love_Birds #NatureNerd #SciCommer #Sigma150600 #LochLeven #Kinross #BBCSpringwatch #MySigma
4 days ago
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1/9
It’s #InsectWeek22, so let’s talk about this burying beetle that landed on the roof of my grow house last night. Specifically, I think it’s a common sexton beetle (Nicrophorus vespilloides) due to the black antennae tips. Anyway, on to the gory stuff. 

These beetles are attracted to the scents given off by dead and decaying bodies (things like birds and small mammals). Males and female find each other and pair up ON dead animals. The female lays her eggs next to or ON the corpse, providing their young with a delicious and nutritious food source. Mmmm, baby food doesn’t seem so bad now, does it? I’m not finished though, and I’m about to use the phrase “anal secretions”.

Say you’ve got a decomposing mouse corpse that you want to feed to your kids in a few days but you don’t own a fridge - what’s a beetle to do? Cover it in antibiotic anal secretions of course! 

While it might sound gross to some, these metal wee beasties are doing a great job by decomposing corpses and returning the nutrients to the soil. I have no idea why this one was on my growhouse, unless it was a vegetarian carrion beetle after some dead plants


#CarrionBeetle #InsectWeek #CommonSextonBeetle #BritishNature #WholeLottaBugs #WildlifeOnEarth #Silphidae #NatureIsMetal #NatureNerd #BuryingBeetle #BeetlesOfInstagram #Entomology
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It’s #InsectWeek22, so let’s talk about this burying beetle that landed on the roof of my grow house last night. Specifically, I think it’s a common sexton beetle (Nicrophorus vespilloides) due to the black antennae tips. Anyway, on to the gory stuff. These beetles are attracted to the scents given off by dead and decaying bodies (things like birds and small mammals). Males and female find each other and pair up ON dead animals. The female lays her eggs next to or ON the corpse, providing their young with a delicious and nutritious food source. Mmmm, baby food doesn’t seem so bad now, does it? I’m not finished though, and I’m about to use the phrase “anal secretions”. Say you’ve got a decomposing mouse corpse that you want to feed to your kids in a few days but you don’t own a fridge - what’s a beetle to do? Cover it in antibiotic anal secretions of course! While it might sound gross to some, these metal wee beasties are doing a great job by decomposing corpses and returning the nutrients to the soil. I have no idea why this one was on my growhouse, unless it was a vegetarian carrion beetle after some dead plants
 #CarrionBeetle #InsectWeek #CommonSextonBeetle #BritishNature #WholeLottaBugs #WildlifeOnEarth #Silphidae #NatureIsMetal #NatureNerd #BuryingBeetle #BeetlesOfInstagram #Entomology
5 days ago
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2/9
Gull fan: yes or no? We have A LOT of gulls in Aberdeen, and they do have a reputation for yoinking food out your hand and flying off with it 😬. I’ve also been pooped on twice by herring gulls at the beach - once on my fresh off the needles cardigan, wasn’t thrilled. That said, I’m still a sucker for gulls. I love them.

They’re pretty darn beautiful, they’ve definitely got personality, and I will never get bored of saying “LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT BEAST!” when I spot a particularly huge looking herring gull or greater black-backed gull. 

We have several gull species in the UK, and some of them look pretty similar, so let’s hear some quick gull facts:
⚫ There’s no such species as a “seagull”. 
⚫ Common gulls look like smaller versions of herring gulls -  but that doesn’t help if you don’t have both side by side. Herring gulls have pink legs, and common gulls have yellow legs.
⚫Kittiwakes have black legs, and are very cute. They’re also smaller than herring gulls. 
⚫Herring gulls (pictured) are in decline in the UK, so maybe don’t get too mad when they steal that sandwich you’d spent all morning looking forward to eating

⚫Black-headed gulls actually have brown heads đŸ€·â€â™€ïž
⚫Black-headed gulls also have a ridiculously loud shriek for such a small bird. Not necessarily a fact, but an ear splitting observation. 

#Gulls #HerringGulls #BritishBirds #SeaBirds #GullsOfInstagram #BirdCaptures #Aberdeenshire #MajesticABDN #ShareMySigma #Sigma150600 #BirdWatching #Birding #VogelPortrait #NatureNerd #BirdNerd #UKNature #ScottishNature #BBCSpringwatch
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Gull fan: yes or no? We have A LOT of gulls in Aberdeen, and they do have a reputation for yoinking food out your hand and flying off with it 😬. I’ve also been pooped on twice by herring gulls at the beach - once on my fresh off the needles cardigan, wasn’t thrilled. That said, I’m still a sucker for gulls. I love them. They’re pretty darn beautiful, they’ve definitely got personality, and I will never get bored of saying “LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT BEAST!” when I spot a particularly huge looking herring gull or greater black-backed gull. We have several gull species in the UK, and some of them look pretty similar, so let’s hear some quick gull facts: ⚫ There’s no such species as a “seagull”. ⚫ Common gulls look like smaller versions of herring gulls - but that doesn’t help if you don’t have both side by side. Herring gulls have pink legs, and common gulls have yellow legs. ⚫Kittiwakes have black legs, and are very cute. They’re also smaller than herring gulls. ⚫Herring gulls (pictured) are in decline in the UK, so maybe don’t get too mad when they steal that sandwich you’d spent all morning looking forward to eating
 ⚫Black-headed gulls actually have brown heads đŸ€·â€â™€ïž ⚫Black-headed gulls also have a ridiculously loud shriek for such a small bird. Not necessarily a fact, but an ear splitting observation. #Gulls #HerringGulls #BritishBirds #SeaBirds #GullsOfInstagram #BirdCaptures #Aberdeenshire #MajesticABDN #ShareMySigma #Sigma150600 #BirdWatching #Birding #VogelPortrait #NatureNerd #BirdNerd #UKNature #ScottishNature #BBCSpringwatch
2 weeks ago
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3/9
🍞LOAF CHECK! Oh yes, this Fulmar knows how to loaf like a pro. I’d give them a 10/10, and reckon this Fulmar Loaf could put some kitty loaves to shame. 

Fulmars are so fun to try and spot. They tend to blend in with some of the gulls when they’re flying about, but it’s so exciting when you pick a fulmar out of the crowd. They have a purple/blue/grey coloured beak, and if you get a good look through your binoculars or camera you’ll spot a tube on top of their beak. They use it to “spit” a stinky smelling oil at anything that gets too close to their nest. I love that fact so much. 

#Fulmar #Seabirds #Fowlsheugh #MajesticABDN #RSPBFowlsheugh #BirdLoaf #LoafCheck #BirdNerd #Birding #CoastalBirds #SeaBirds #RSPB_Love_Nature #UKWildlife #NatureLovers #BBCSpringwatch #SeaCliffs #ShareMySigma #Sigma150600 #CanonUK #Nature #SciCommers #Stonehaven
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🍞LOAF CHECK! Oh yes, this Fulmar knows how to loaf like a pro. I’d give them a 10/10, and reckon this Fulmar Loaf could put some kitty loaves to shame. Fulmars are so fun to try and spot. They tend to blend in with some of the gulls when they’re flying about, but it’s so exciting when you pick a fulmar out of the crowd. They have a purple/blue/grey coloured beak, and if you get a good look through your binoculars or camera you’ll spot a tube on top of their beak. They use it to “spit” a stinky smelling oil at anything that gets too close to their nest. I love that fact so much. #Fulmar #Seabirds #Fowlsheugh #MajesticABDN #RSPBFowlsheugh #BirdLoaf #LoafCheck #BirdNerd #Birding #CoastalBirds #SeaBirds #RSPB_Love_Nature #UKWildlife #NatureLovers #BBCSpringwatch #SeaCliffs #ShareMySigma #Sigma150600 #CanonUK #Nature #SciCommers #Stonehaven
2 weeks ago
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4/9
Pair of beautiful gannets we saw last week off Fraserburgh. They fly so fast it’s hard to appreciate how stunning they are without binoculars or taking a photo.

They can hit the water at 60mph when diving for food! I imagine that would really hurt ordinarily, but gannets are built for it. They have air sacs between their skin and muscles to help cushion the blow. It’s like wearing a load of bubble wrap! Nature really thought of everything, huh? 

#Gannets #BirdNerd #NatureNerd #Seabird #BritishBirdLovers #BritishBirds #BBCSpringwatch #Fraserburgh #NorthernGannet #UKWildlife #BritishWildlife #CoastalBirds #YourBestBirds #MajesticABDN #Aberdeenshire #NEScotlandNature #Birding
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Pair of beautiful gannets we saw last week off Fraserburgh. They fly so fast it’s hard to appreciate how stunning they are without binoculars or taking a photo. They can hit the water at 60mph when diving for food! I imagine that would really hurt ordinarily, but gannets are built for it. They have air sacs between their skin and muscles to help cushion the blow. It’s like wearing a load of bubble wrap! Nature really thought of everything, huh? #Gannets #BirdNerd #NatureNerd #Seabird #BritishBirdLovers #BritishBirds #BBCSpringwatch #Fraserburgh #NorthernGannet #UKWildlife #BritishWildlife #CoastalBirds #YourBestBirds #MajesticABDN #Aberdeenshire #NEScotlandNature #Birding
3 weeks ago
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5/9
💧Splish splash, I was taking a bath 💧

It’s been absolutely roasting here this weekend. This coal tit has been making good use of the bird bath to cool off. 

#CoalTit #GardenBirds #BirdNerd #NatureNerd #BritishBirds #Springwatch #BirdBath #Eye_Spy_Birds #BirdNerd #BirdWatching #Birding #RSPB_Love_Nature #GardenBirdsUK #BirdBrilliance
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💧Splish splash, I was taking a bath 💧 It’s been absolutely roasting here this weekend. This coal tit has been making good use of the bird bath to cool off. #CoalTit #GardenBirds #BirdNerd #NatureNerd #BritishBirds #Springwatch #BirdBath #Eye_Spy_Birds #BirdNerd #BirdWatching #Birding #RSPB_Love_Nature #GardenBirdsUK #BirdBrilliance
3 weeks ago
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6/9
After yesterday’s foray into lighthouses, I’m safely back on the birds again. 

Loved seeing and hearing the eider ducks on last night’s episode of Springwatch. They’re such beautiful looking birds. This is the male - the females are brown (similar kind of colours to a female mallard). Who else is enjoying Springwatch? 

#EiderDucks #ScottishBirds #GetOutside #Aberdeen #BritishBirds #ScottishNature #BirdBrilliance #Pocket_Birds #Springwatch #RSPB_Love_Nature #BirdNerd #Eiders #NatureOnOurDoorstep
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After yesterday’s foray into lighthouses, I’m safely back on the birds again. Loved seeing and hearing the eider ducks on last night’s episode of Springwatch. They’re such beautiful looking birds. This is the male - the females are brown (similar kind of colours to a female mallard). Who else is enjoying Springwatch? #EiderDucks #ScottishBirds #GetOutside #Aberdeen #BritishBirds #ScottishNature #BirdBrilliance #Pocket_Birds #Springwatch #RSPB_Love_Nature #BirdNerd #Eiders #NatureOnOurDoorstep
3 weeks ago
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7/9
đŸ˜±This isn’t a photo of a bird! Shocking, I know. 

This is Rattray Head Lighthouse in Peterhead. Wee bit different from your usual lighthouse because it’s out in the sea. We were wondering how you’d get out to it - turns out there’s a light causeway that’s only accessible at low tide. How cool is that? 

#RattrayHeadLighthouse #RattrayHead #Peterhead #Aberdeenshire #MajesticABDN #NEScotland #ThisIsScotland #GetOutside #ScotSpirit #YourScotland #EscapeTheEveryday #ScottishLighthouse #Lighthouses_Around_The_World
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đŸ˜±This isn’t a photo of a bird! Shocking, I know. This is Rattray Head Lighthouse in Peterhead. Wee bit different from your usual lighthouse because it’s out in the sea. We were wondering how you’d get out to it - turns out there’s a light causeway that’s only accessible at low tide. How cool is that? #RattrayHeadLighthouse #RattrayHead #Peterhead #Aberdeenshire #MajesticABDN #NEScotland #ThisIsScotland #GetOutside #ScotSpirit #YourScotland #EscapeTheEveryday #ScottishLighthouse #Lighthouses_Around_The_World
4 weeks ago
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8/9
đŸ–€Boop that snoot - virtually, not in real-life. Seals don’t want to be booped for real.

#GreySeal #YthanEstuary #Newburgh #NewburghSealBeach #Aberdeenshire #BeautifulABDN #BBCWildlifePOTD #Sigma150600 #ShareMySigma #NEScotland #ScottishWildlife #BritishWildlife #BritishWildlifeHub #NaturePhotography #NatureScot #MarineMammals #CoastalWildlife
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đŸ–€Boop that snoot - virtually, not in real-life. Seals don’t want to be booped for real. #GreySeal #YthanEstuary #Newburgh #NewburghSealBeach #Aberdeenshire #BeautifulABDN #BBCWildlifePOTD #Sigma150600 #ShareMySigma #NEScotland #ScottishWildlife #BritishWildlife #BritishWildlifeHub #NaturePhotography #NatureScot #MarineMammals #CoastalWildlife
4 weeks ago
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9/9
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