A stag in the rain

A stag in the field opposite Muckross House in Killarney on a very wet October afternoon this year.

I was there with Blarney Photography Club and after a not so successful morning we retreated to the café in Muckross Garden Restaurant for lunch.

It was still raining afterwards, but some of us stopped outside to photograph this stag. In a lull in the rain I stupidly ran out with only a light jacket and took cover under a tree that was still heavy with leaves. Got a few shots and then the heavens opened. Got a bit soaked!

Totally worth it. Great day out with great people.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length600mm
ISO2000
Shutter speed1/1000s

The Gang is Watching

A gang of Kerry cattle observe me and a group of humans as we walk past their field.

Fun fact – they are “believed to be one of the oldest breeds in Europe” according to Wikipedia. 🙂


Apertureƒ/5
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length150mm
ISO1600
Shutter speed1/500s

The Devil’s Coach Horse

I spotted this nasty looking fella on a trail in Killarney last weekend. We hoped to catch the rutting but the weather was terrible, and stags were shy. No fights but a few photos to post later..

Anyway, this guy was huge! This page says they’re about 2.8 cm, but I swear he was bigger. His tail comes up like a scorpion, and he scampered quickly across the ground, making him hard to photograph.

A ferocious and fast predator, the Devil’s coach horse beetle hunts invertebrates after dark in gardens and on grasslands. It is well-known for curling up its abdomen like the tail of a scorpion when defending itself.

wildlifetrusts.org

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a beetle like this before, but apparently they’re common!


Apertureƒ/5
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length150mm
ISO1250
Shutter speed1/500s

An evening above Dunquin Pier

Dunquin Pier at the end of the Dingle Peninsula sits below a steep grassy cliff. Last year I saw three teenage girls sitting on the edge of the cliff you can see in this photo. I got dizzy just looking at them but they weren’t in (much) danger. There’s a step below where many feet have worn away the grass.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/30s

Kian McNally wins

Kian McNally wins at the Dingle Races on August 6th, 2022. Well done on your success, Kian!

They published a few videos of Kian after the race. In this one you can just about see me behind my camera two to three seconds into the video. Here’s an interview with him.


Apertureƒ/3.5
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO160
Shutter speed1/2000s