14 replies to this topic

[Icewhyte]

Hey all,

Just ordered a Nikon D7200 so thought I would join you lot

I'm pretty much a novice. This will be my first DSLR. I've been using a Panasonic FZ150 Bridge camera for the last couple of years so looking forward to the step up.

My main focus is wildlife photograhy but I love the outdoors and munro bagging so also keen on landscape photography. Highlands are good for Aurora too so hoping to get some nice shots with the new camera.

Cheers

[TBonz]

Good luck with the new camera and welcome!  We have a great group here!

[alden]

Welcome, from a displaced Scotsman.

 

What is "munro bagging"?

[iNYONi]

Welcome from a fellow Scotsman. The 7200 is a great camera, i'm sure you'll get some fantastic shots with it. Looking forward to seeing some of your shots

[alden]

Still wondering. Guess it's time to exercise my Google.

[RossCumming]

"Munro Bagging" is a pursuit unique to Scotland whereby people strive to climb all the mountains over 3000 feet in height (in Scotland).

 

There are 282 Munros with Ben Nevis being the highest.

 

People who climb these mountains often call it "Munro bagging" and are often referred to as "Munro Baggers", ie achieving (or "bagging") their target Munro.

 

Munros are named after Sir Hugh Munro who first produced the list of all  mountains in Sctoland over 3000 feet.

 

There are other height ranges, for example Corbetts or Marilyns - please feel free to google these if interested!

 

I have climbed about 30 or so of these Munros but don't specifically go out to solely climb Munros (or hills over 3000ft - there are some lovely hills not quite as high is this but are better walks).

 

Hope this helps!

[Icewhyte]

Haha. Great reply.

I'm the same though as you, I just aim for nice walks/hikes and that usually results in "bagging" some munros.

Plenty great walks around the Cairngorms here too, all packed with wildlife so will soon need to get a big zoom for snapping the Red Squirrels, Capercaille, Mountain Hare etc. Any recommendations?

[alden]

Thanks for that explanation. That actually makes me a Munro Bagger, as I "conquered" Ben Nevis back in 1989!

 

I would love to see some photos of Highland (or Lowland) wildlife. I remember spending one eve sitting at Scott's View (the spot Sir Walter Scott loved to sit and look at the surrounding hills, near Melrose) and watching a flock of sheep chasing a group of horses. Then as the sun began to set, dozens of hares emerged from the hills around me and began grazing. I will never forget it.

[RossCumming]

Alden, indeed Sir, you can consider yourself a Munro Bagger then! You beat me to the summit of Nevis by 7 years - I got there in June 1996! I recall it was not a pleasant walk - way too many people (many not really equipped for a snow-capped summit) and as I was leading a group of walkers from work, we took the "tourist" path route which was not particularly well suited to my short legs - I had to keep correcting my stride which wasn't great. There was a mountain marathon on that day so it was a constant stream of people on the pat and I counted over 80 people on the summit when we arrived. I vowed I would never do that mountain again, however, I am coming under increasing pressure from my better half to do it because she hasn't yet been to the summit. So I may be there again in the not too distant future (before my knees and hips give up on me!).

 

Icewhyte, are you in the Aviemore area? Have you walked any part of the Lairig Ghru? I set out on it some years ago, just for a days ramble, not intent to complete it end-to-end and that was a lovely walk. I used to like to visit the coffee shop at Inshriach Nurseries when I was in the area - they had great bird feeders there that attracted wood-peckers and red squirrels.

 

I would like to come back to the Rothiemurchus area and try witness / capture the grouse lek at some point.

[Icewhyte]

Ross, I am in Inverness but visit Aviemore/Cairngorms most weekends. I haven't done that walk yet but it's on the to do list. It looks great.
Rothimurchus is a great area for Red Squirrels too. I was hiking sgor gaoith and neighbouring mountains a few weeks ago and saw a lot of Red Grouse. I've seen Black Grouse along the Ryoan Pass also. Still hoping to see Capercaille though.

[alden]

What does a Capercaille look like?

 

Most pictures I have seen look like a ring neck pheasant.

[Icewhyte]

It is related to the Grouse family but a lot bigger and very aggressive. They were once wiped out in Scotland and the numbers are very low, they are also very elusive.

http://raptorpolitic...apercaillie.jpg

[alden]

Wow what an unusual bird. Sort of like a very colorful wild turkey.

[Icewhyte]

Yeah, a wild Turkey that will chase you if you're on his patch. They also make a strange popping noise.

https://m.youtube.co...h?v=_xSj5XcByuA

[alden]

Wild turkeys generally run away from larger creatures, but they will fight each other, sometimes to the death. They have very large very sharp spurs on their heels that resemble daggers.