Glenveagh National Park (photo heavy)

homer simpson

Hi all as the title suggests took a wee trip out to glenveagh today, Thought it was just OK (bar the birds of prey) if im being honest, the Castle itself is in bad need of repair in places and the gardens are also very "weedy" and lots of plants dying which was a shame, i was also annoyed at the fact that there is no photography at all allowed on the tour, i asked why and was told its just policy?!? i can see why no flash photography but no photography at all seemed strange to me, although i did sneek a few photos in, lol.

Anyways enough of all the bad stuff, i thought the bird of pray display was worth the money alone it was great, infact one bird alone made it worth it, its not everyday you get a 5 kilo almost 2 foot tall golden eagle prectically sitting on your shoulder, its was fantastic and also the guy giving the demo explained the whole posioning suituation too when i asked him, its said the farmers lay down posion to kill verman then the eagles eat the verman, he says there are 3 chicks this year and they are getting some from scotland too for release here, which is great news... anyways heres some snaps (i know they are slightly larger than 800pix wide but they are better viewed that wee bit larger thus the warning in the title)....







thanks for looking!

muffler

Nice shots homer.

I can see a new avatar appearing

donegalgirl28

I'm not a fan of birds but that is one sexy bird! Great shots.

danniemcq

Hey them photos aren't that heavy my monitor is still the same weight

Madam

Beautiful creature - thanks!

muffler

Madam wrote: »

Beautiful creature - thanks!

Homer?

mrmac

A few years ago, I was driving along the Errigal Road to Bunbeg, at dusk.
I was about half way between Glenveagh and Dunlewy, when out to my right, this feckin' huge bird took flight, flew across the road, and off towards the top of the Poison Glen. A Golden Eagle, silhouetted against a pale blue sky, is an awesome thing to see - scared the be'jaybus outta me!

BTW - Great pics there HS!

Madam

muffler wrote: »

Homer?

Could be;)

.17hmr

Some nice photos homer,seen them the last time i done the trees for them , man you dont expect them to be that big there massive.

muffler

Madam wrote: »

Could be;)

Homer, tell the g/f that she has some serious competition here

bohsboy

I was planning a return trip to Glenveagh over the next few days but can you tell me if the midges there are as bad as ever?! Had to cut the trip short last year, it was beyond a joke!

homer simpson

bohsboy wrote: »

I was planning a return trip to Glenveagh over the next few days but can you tell me if the midges there are as bad as ever?! Had to cut the trip short last year, it was beyond a joke!

Yeah there are still bad but id advise going on a mizzley / slightly wet day that keeps the worst of them at bay!

Madam

Never mind the midgies it's the giant Clegs(supposedly the biggest in Europe) you have to look out for:eek:

Ayla

homer_simpson wrote: »

Yeah there are still bad but id advise going on a mizzley / slightly wet day that keeps the worst of them at bay!

I went for a visit on Monday (12 July), which was drizzly...midges were still quite bad. Having said that, as long as we kept walking (no matter how slowly) they weren't unbearable.

josey_whale

Madam wrote: »

Never mind the midgies it's the giant Clegs(supposedly the biggest in Europe

who told ya that?

Madam

In the Vistor's centre at Glenveagh there's an exhibition on flora and fauna of the park. Clegs are given this accolade:p It may have changed, it's been a few years since ! was there.