No more Weather please!

I didn't make any plans for snow, howling icy winds, or well-below-zero temperatures. In snow I will be hopelessly visible, like an arctic hare caught in its summer brown. I haven't a single piece of outdoor clothing which isn't dark: black or green for the most part. I've even bought a bag hide, but it's mostly dark brown and green. Never heard of a bag hide? Just imagine the most ridiculous trick-or-treat garment in camouflage. I laughed out loud when I first saw one advertised. Just as I used to laugh at all those old men festooned with optical gear that I saw haunting the bird reserves. "The Canonites" I used to call them. Now I'm one of them, and soon, when the weather stops being silly, I will look, occasionally, like this:

Apart from pulling in my stomach when talking to some more attractive person, I don't think I've ever been vain, but I do still care about looking ridiculous. I try to avoid people when I am out in "full rig", that is the harness with  camera, long lens and binoculars, and either backpack or tripod or both. If I'm crouching in a hedge with the hide covering the lot, I will be mortified if I'm spotted by a curious farmer or hill-walker.

So, quite apart from the dangers of inappropriate weather, the risk of missing my footing in the mountains, getting lost, getting cold, bored, and generally disheartened, the risk to my dignity has ratcheted up to a new level. Too bad. If that's what it takes to get the shot then all the risks will have been worth it.

Ever since I first decided on this trip, I've been trying to plan how I could get close enough to the eagles. A large part is having the right equipment, but more important is the right skill and knowledge. You need to know how the target bird will behave, how close to it you need to be for your camera and lens to get the detail, and how close you can get to it without alarming it. The best technique is to use a hide, and there are a number of portable hides which will conceal one or two people. With these there is no pretence that the bird will not clearly see the hide: it has to be positioned in advance, to give the birds a chance to get used to it. I have a one-person pop-up hide, and this was what I had intended to use. However, I wrote to Scottish Natural Heritage who are the people who issue photography licenses, and this is part of the reply I received:

Dear Richard, 

Thank you for your email. 

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Scotland) it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb golden eagles and white-tailed eagles while they are building a nest or are in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young; or disturb the dependent young of such a bird. A licence is required from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to disturb nesting golden eagles and white-tailed eagles for the purpose of photography. 

As I’m sure you’ll understand, we must ensure that we balance the protection of these rare birds with photography interests. To do this, SNH limits the issuing of photography licences for these species in order to minimise disturbance. We only licence people who can prove they have adequate experience of photographing breeding birds, preferably raptors, without causing unnecessary disturbance, and people who have a robust and professional methodology in place for photographing golden eagles and white-tailed eagles in such a way so as to reduce any disturbance to an absolute minimum.
You have said you will be working in a way that will ensure the birds are not disrupted or harmed. If you are sure you will not be disturbing the birds, you do not need a licence since no offence will be taking place. However, depending on how far away from the nests you plan to set up your portable hide, there is a high chance that you could disturb nesting eagles whilst setting up the hide.

Spot the catch 22 in this? You can only get a licence if you can show experience but you need a licence to get the experience! The work-around is, I presume, to help someone who is already licenced. They recommend I get in touch with the RSPB warden on Mull, Dave Sexton. That's a name which cropped up in my reading about eagles. I know what he looks like, and I know that until 2003 he worked at RSPB headquarters, but has been on Mull since then. At least he will be able to tell me where the permanent eagle hides are on Mull, though judging by my experience of big raptor hides elsewhere, they are not likely to be close enough unless you have the kind of lens which has to be towed around on wheels. My fear is that he will recommend going on an organised tour. I'm sure these are an excellent way to learn and meet new people, but I would rather risk prosecution! I could easily become the sort of loose cannon the bird professionals hate, so I need to get this person's sympathy. I wonder if Carl knows him?