The "Warblers"
A small group of friends passionate about the region's natural history, we created this site because we enjoy sharing observations with one another through photos and words. We thought you might like to see them too.
We're always happy to try and answer any questions if we can.
It's great to hear from others with similar interests, so don't hesitate to get in touch, either via our Contact page or Twitter!
Bruce Hyde
After about 44 years in the wine and spirit trade I retired to spend almost half my time in this beautiful corner of France. Since arriving I have developed an interest in wildlife as well as rekindling my photographic skills, which started as a small child when my father was a redoubtable amateur.
Photography here is wonderful, with the amazing light - which brought the Fauvists to Collioure - encouraging one to press the shutter at every opportunity. There is a brilliant array of wildlife to photograph, particularly butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies which are my main passions.
The area also abounds in history, with the remains of Cathar castles, forts designed by Vauban and evidence of the warlike ways of local ancestors in the middle ages.
All of this is surrounded by stunning scenery, with the ever-present Pic du Canigou maintaining a benevolent watch over valley and plain.
Isobel Mackintosh
For me, it all started with excited phone, text and email exchanges between like-minded friends and enthusiasts in this stunning area of French Catalonia. Sharing sightings and encounters, we discovered different interests and areas of expertise, and enjoyed and learned more and more about what was going on in our surroundings. The thrill of observing a male hobby hawking for bats one summer's evening, or spotting an unidentified lizard basking on a wall, seeing the first snowfall on Canigou lit by the early morning sun, or attempting to photograph a surprisingly well-camouflaged golden oriole feeding in a fig tree - all have inspired me to rediscover my dormant love of nature and photography.
I have been taking photographs for as long as I can remember, first inspired by my beloved Scottish aunt, and more recently by the wonderful Laurie Campbell's wildlife photography courses at Aigas Field Centre, also in the highlands of Scotland.
You may have noticed that my activity on our website is, at best, sporadic. Those of you who know me personally will understand that, for reasons far too dull to go into here, I “don't get out a lot.” Which could be seen as something of a challenge for anyone wishing to photograph the excitements of the natural world! Although I would of course prefer it not to be that way, I hope that I can help prove, with my photographs, that being unable to get out and about as much as I'd like doesn't have to be a barrier to appreciating the wonders of the world around us. My fellow contributors on this page are kindly as well as expert souls and are always whisking me off to wonderful places in the Mediterranean Pyrenees that they've discovered and want to share. So I hope that inspiration to look again at what's around you will be found here in my gallery.
For me, it all started with excited phone, text and email exchanges between like-minded friends and enthusiasts in this stunning area of French Catalonia. Sharing sightings and encounters, we discovered different interests and areas of expertise, and enjoyed and learned more and more about what was going on in our surroundings. The thrill of observing a male hobby hawking for bats one summer's evening, or spotting an unidentified lizard basking on a wall, seeing the first snowfall on Canigou lit by the early morning sun, or attempting to photograph a surprisingly well-camouflaged golden oriole feeding in a fig tree - all have inspired me to rediscover my dormant love of nature and photography.
I have been taking photographs for as long as I can remember, first inspired by my beloved Scottish aunt, and more recently by the wonderful Laurie Campbell's wildlife photography courses at Aigas Field Centre, also in the highlands of Scotland.
You may have noticed that my activity on our website is, at best, sporadic. Those of you who know me personally will understand that, for reasons far too dull to go into here, I “don't get out a lot.” Which could be seen as something of a challenge for anyone wishing to photograph the excitements of the natural world! Although I would of course prefer it not to be that way, I hope that I can help prove, with my photographs, that being unable to get out and about as much as I'd like doesn't have to be a barrier to appreciating the wonders of the world around us. My fellow contributors on this page are kindly as well as expert souls and are always whisking me off to wonderful places in the Mediterranean Pyrenees that they've discovered and want to share. So I hope that inspiration to look again at what's around you will be found here in my gallery.
Lesley McLaren
A Northumbrian lass at heart (if not by birth), I have my father to thank for my love of the natural world. When I was a child our family would head into the wilds every weekend to see what was about - birds being the major obsession. I remember spending many a Sunday in the car on Holy Island, cut off by the tide, watching rain stream down the windows while we stoically munched our sandwiches and waited for a break in the clouds...
Since 2005 I've been based on the French side of the Pyrenees, with the Med only a short drive away. Much less rain here! These days I spend most of my time writing fiction and walking in the hills, vineyards and orchards.
As far as natural history is concerned, ornithology is still my main passion. Although I miss some birds from my spiritual home - especially skylarks and curlews, for their emotive calls - the compensation is having the likes of short-toed eagles, ravens, golden orioles and bee eaters flying over the garden. Just a shame they never pose for my camera! Mammals seem scarce or extremely secretive but insects abound in the summer and, happily, some of those are camera-friendly.
One of the best things about nature-watching, writing and photography is that you never stop learning.
Here is a selection of my snaps.
I also write for P-O Life Magazine and Anglophone Direct. And, as well as warbling, I tweet @LesleyMcLaren43
A Northumbrian lass at heart (if not by birth), I have my father to thank for my love of the natural world. When I was a child our family would head into the wilds every weekend to see what was about - birds being the major obsession. I remember spending many a Sunday in the car on Holy Island, cut off by the tide, watching rain stream down the windows while we stoically munched our sandwiches and waited for a break in the clouds...
Since 2005 I've been based on the French side of the Pyrenees, with the Med only a short drive away. Much less rain here! These days I spend most of my time writing fiction and walking in the hills, vineyards and orchards.
As far as natural history is concerned, ornithology is still my main passion. Although I miss some birds from my spiritual home - especially skylarks and curlews, for their emotive calls - the compensation is having the likes of short-toed eagles, ravens, golden orioles and bee eaters flying over the garden. Just a shame they never pose for my camera! Mammals seem scarce or extremely secretive but insects abound in the summer and, happily, some of those are camera-friendly.
One of the best things about nature-watching, writing and photography is that you never stop learning.
Here is a selection of my snaps.
I also write for P-O Life Magazine and Anglophone Direct. And, as well as warbling, I tweet @LesleyMcLaren43
Robin Noble
It is more than ten years now since I first came to this area, but much less since I started living here, so I am very much the "new boy" in the group! Previously, I had lived for more than forty years in the far North of Scotland, moving around the Highlands and Islands, and acquiring, in so doing, some reputation as an authority on those famous landscapes and what may be found in them. Although I think it is not easy to find now, my little book "North and West", published by Scottish Cultural Press in 2003, remains a useful introduction.
My second book, “Castles in the Mist" should interest anyone who knows the Highlands and Islands of Scotland well. It reveals the significant impact on those beautiful landscapes of the Victorian sporting estate; much of what we see today derives from the obsessive sporting cult of the rich. Not only did the Victorian period change the face of the Highlands, but it also left significant environmental problems which have to be faced today. “Castles in the Mist“, published by Saraband, is available in UK bookshops and on Amazon. It was shortlisted for The Saltire Scottish History Book of the Year Award 2016.
My book on Orkney - "Sagas of Salt and Stone" - published in 2018 by Saraband, is also available in shops and on Amazon.
In the Mediterranean Pyrenees I have a lot to learn - but even more simply to enjoy! In the past I usually had to be able to identify that bird or this flower, in order to pass the information on, but here I intend at times just to enjoy the beauty of what I see. This will be the case particularly with butterflies, which are such a joy in this climate - we saw very few, particularly in the last few summers, in the Northern Highlands. I am sure we will, between us, shed some light on the wonderful environment around us - but I am even more convinced that our delight in it will be obvious to any who follow us.
It is more than ten years now since I first came to this area, but much less since I started living here, so I am very much the "new boy" in the group! Previously, I had lived for more than forty years in the far North of Scotland, moving around the Highlands and Islands, and acquiring, in so doing, some reputation as an authority on those famous landscapes and what may be found in them. Although I think it is not easy to find now, my little book "North and West", published by Scottish Cultural Press in 2003, remains a useful introduction.
My second book, “Castles in the Mist" should interest anyone who knows the Highlands and Islands of Scotland well. It reveals the significant impact on those beautiful landscapes of the Victorian sporting estate; much of what we see today derives from the obsessive sporting cult of the rich. Not only did the Victorian period change the face of the Highlands, but it also left significant environmental problems which have to be faced today. “Castles in the Mist“, published by Saraband, is available in UK bookshops and on Amazon. It was shortlisted for The Saltire Scottish History Book of the Year Award 2016.
My book on Orkney - "Sagas of Salt and Stone" - published in 2018 by Saraband, is also available in shops and on Amazon.
In the Mediterranean Pyrenees I have a lot to learn - but even more simply to enjoy! In the past I usually had to be able to identify that bird or this flower, in order to pass the information on, but here I intend at times just to enjoy the beauty of what I see. This will be the case particularly with butterflies, which are such a joy in this climate - we saw very few, particularly in the last few summers, in the Northern Highlands. I am sure we will, between us, shed some light on the wonderful environment around us - but I am even more convinced that our delight in it will be obvious to any who follow us.
Martine Noble
I am Robin's wife, and like him lived in the Scottish Highlands for many years. We met through a knowledge and love of trees, but foreign climes, travel and sunshine have also been important interests in common which have led to our presence in Vallespir.
I have always been a keen photographer. Foreign travel and the natural world probably inspire me most, but I regularly venture into the semi-abstract, and have recently become keen on portraiture. The amazing light, beautiful landscape and diverse natural history of Catalonia certainly provide me with wonderful subjects. And more of my work can be seen on www.canigou7.wix.com/photography
I am Robin's wife, and like him lived in the Scottish Highlands for many years. We met through a knowledge and love of trees, but foreign climes, travel and sunshine have also been important interests in common which have led to our presence in Vallespir.
I have always been a keen photographer. Foreign travel and the natural world probably inspire me most, but I regularly venture into the semi-abstract, and have recently become keen on portraiture. The amazing light, beautiful landscape and diverse natural history of Catalonia certainly provide me with wonderful subjects. And more of my work can be seen on www.canigou7.wix.com/photography