Please scroll down for some examples of my work - please enjoy...
but if you don't see what you require then please contact me on
01463 731110 or 07881713702
or e-mail me: charlie@charliephillipsimages.co.uk
I work from my wife Susans Aurorabearealis Art & Craft Studio
North Kessock - near Inverness
All photographs © Charlie Phillips All Rights Reserved
Hard at work with Canon EOS 1D MK11 + Canon 400mm F2.8 IS Lens
For Wildlife Friendly Holiday Accommodation Please See Bottom of Page
Moray Firth Bottlenose Dolphins...
Most of my contract work is with the resident population of dolphins in the Moray Firth, Scotland.
Canon 1D MKII, MKIIN & MKIII + 400mm F2.8 IS & 300 F2.8 IS & 70-200 F2.8 IS Canon Lens
All these images are taken from land.
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Bowriding
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Watching dolphins from the beach at Chanonry Point, Black Isle
The Science behind the photographs....
Photography became part of my job as Marine Mammal Interpretation Officer at the Dolphin and Seal Visitor & Research Centre at North Kessock. To understand wild animals and explain their lifestyles to the general public - especially marine mammals such as seals and dolphins, it helps if you can get to know your local characters - who, especially in the case of our local wonderful bottlenose dolphins - can be recognised by natural marking on the dorsal fin. If you can obtain good, detailed matching photos of these marks (a research method called mark re-capture) you can be pretty confident that you are seeing the same animals, as the chances of two animals having exactly the same markings is highly unlikely. If you see me at Chanonry Point or North Kessock, I may be taking photos of the fins, but if dolphins start to get energetic, then I take these dynamic images too. Most people know me through my dolphin photographs and the Dolphin Research Centre.
They often ask me if I get bored taking photos of dolphins... Silly question really!
Dolphin I.D. (Identification) photos
(How we tell dolphins apart)
Fin showing scratches and nicks - this is "Sundance" ID# 105
All these nicks and marks make each dolphin unique - this is "Nevis" ID# 36
Scientific studies of these beautiful animals is a long term and ongoing process, led by Professor Paul Thompson and the team from the Aberdeen University Lighthouse Field Station based at Cromarty. Visit the Lighthouse website and have a look at the very best research into the Moray Firth dolphins and the marine environment.
I am delighted to be working alongside these dedicated people.
www.abdn.ac.uk/zoology/lighthouse
Over on the West Coast of Scotland at Gairloch, a great ongoing research project about Harbour Porpoises started by a friend of mine has continued to be a leading example on how careful boat based research and wildlife trips that the visitor to the area can enjoy, can and should be done. The public are invited onboard the MV Starquest to enjoy the knowledge and the care and attention of Ian French, marine biologist and wildlife expert. To experience the amazing wildlife and scenic beauty of this area then please contact Ian's wife, Samantha French at their harbour-side office in the Wester Ross village of Gairloch, Tel: 01445 712636 or visit their website.
Apart from research, good photographs can also be useful to illustrate audio/visual presentations and can be used as an educational tool. I work with the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society, (WDCS) on their Scottish Dolphin Team as Dolphin Field Officer, supplying images and writing articles for their Adopt a Dolphin Website - a great way of getting dolphin and other wildlife issues across and also a good way of letting people have a glimpse of the beautiful countryside and animals that I work with every day. For a season, I was part of the management team of the Moray Firth Wildlife Centre at Spey Bay, www.wdcs.org/wildlifecentre which - apart from being a great Wildlife Centre, is now the Scottish Headquarters for WDCS. Some of my images are available as cards and prints from here and various retail outlets.
FOR MORE DOLPHIN AND WHALE IMAGES PLEASE VISIT
Tom Walmsley, marine biologist and photographer runs this great online image library for marine life.
You can also see some more of my dolphin & seal photographs by clicking on the logo and searching for Charlie Phillips
Otters...
Otter (Lutra lutra)
Otter (Lutra lutra)
Otter (Lutra lutra)
Seals...
Grey Seal pup (Halichoerus grypus)
Common Seal (Phoca vitulina)
Common Seal (Phoca vitulina)
Common Seal (Phoca vitulina)
Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Birds...
Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Gannet (Sula bassana)
Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)
Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)
Landscapes...
Blaven - Isle of Skye
Eilan Donan Castle - Loch Duich
Charleston - Ross-shire
Gairloch - Wester Ross
Bowfiddle Rock - Portknockie
Kessock Bridge - Inverness
Lunan Bay Beach
Storm over Kylesku
Oil Rig - Cromarty Firth
Chanonry Lighthouse - Fortrose
Isle Ornsay Lighthouse - Isle of Skye
Fearn Abbey - Ross-shire
Grieg Street Bridge - Inverness
For great landscape and nature photography why not visit the website of Ronnie Weir,
one of the most experienced photographers I know and a good buddy as well!
http://www.clikpic.com/ronaldweir/index.html
http://www.thescottishcalendarcompany.co.uk
Some Furry Things...
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
Pine Marten (Martes martes)
Bank Vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)
Highland Cow (Bos taurus)
Clients Include:
Scotland & Northern Ireland Forum For Environmental Research
Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society
Local, National and International Books, Newspapers & Magazines
Local Accommodation Businesses
Private Commissions
Please contact me - Charlie Phillips - to discuss prices and your requirements.
e-mail charlie@charliephillipsimages.co.uk
Telephone 01463-731110
Mobile 07881713702
Please become a member of The Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) by clicking on the logo below and help support vital research and conservation for all the worlds Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises - especially our amazing bottlenose dolphins here in the Moray Firth. You can even adopt a dolphin!
Thank You and Best Wishes - Charlie Phillips.
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I am delighted to supply marine images to the Dolphin Space Programme
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Wildlife Friendly Accommodation...
This is an ever growing list of people that I know who have either Bed & Breakfast facilities or actual cottages to let for holidays. Some are located on the Black Isle, an ideal place to be for dolphin watching. Others are a bit farther afield but are well worth travelling to.
Set in the stunning location of Elgol, Isle of Skye, Bob & Marieanne McMillan have a lovely house to let. Bob runs the great birding website www.skye-birds.com and it's where you can find out about the holiday accommodation. As a location for wildlife and scenery it really doesn't get much better than this!
Ian and Elizabeth Ross have these lovely cottages on the Black Isle. A great country location and only a few minutes drive from Inverness and a great base to have for dolphin watching holidays. North Kessock and Chanonry Point are the two nearest land watching sites for watching our amazing bottlenose dolphins. You can also watch buzzards, red kites, roe deer and red squirrels out of the cottage windows!
Peter & Michelle Jansen offer luxurious accommodation on this elevated Black Isle location. Just a few minutes drive to Chanonry Point, the best place in the whole of Europe to see wild bottlenose dolphins only metres from the shore. A lovely, relaxing place and very nice people too!
Contact Sue Varley to ask about this high quality secluded accommodation. A great location for wildlife with pine martens, otters, red kites, deer and much more!
Gillian and Bill Lee have a beautiful 5 Star Bed and Breakfast right at the "waters edge" run from the lovely village of Fortrose on the Black Isle - ideal for dolphin watching at nearby Chanonry Point and other abundant wildlife including otters!
Set in the stunning Wester Ross location of Gairloch, our great friends Ian and Ann Birks have two cottages to let right at the waters edge. They have all the comforts you will ever need and when you arrive simply throw your wristwatches away, time does not exist here!
Set at the waters edge in the lovely Black Isle village of North Kessock, Eilean Dhubh studio apartment is owned by Mrs Maggie Macdonald and is a compact holiday home suitable for two adults, although there is room for two children. North Kessock is a fantastic location for dolphin watching and other wildlife seen locally include seals, otters and ospreys. No smoking and sorry - no pets.
This superb AA 3 Star Hotel in the coastal town of Cullen has commanding views over Cullen Bay, a wonderful place to see dolphins, porpoises and Minke whales. Contact Marjory, Jim, Simon or Douglas to book rooms or ask about the delicious food.
www.bedandbreakfastinverness.com
Also set at the waters edge in the lovely Black Isle village of North Kessock, Joan and Ian run the lovely White Cottage Tearoom, serving great food and also have four en-suite rooms for B&B, 3 doubles and 1 twin. The website is great, go online and have a look. North Kessock is a fantastic location for dolphin watching and other wildlife seen locally include seals, otters and ospreys.