function photo(i,c,m,q,d,j,h,o,p,a,l,f,k,b,r,n,g,e){this.id=i;this.galleries_id=c;this.photo_ref=m;this.section_code=q;this.src=d;this.width=j;this.height=h;this.caption=o;this.home=p;this.gallery=a;this.description=l;this.takendate=f;this.photographer=k;this.location=b;this.item_price=r;this.purchase_instruction=n;this.payment_groups_id=g;this.server_id=e;this.src=getServerPath(this.server_id)+"/"+this.src}function gallery(e,c,d,b,a){this.id=e;this.featured_images=c;this.title=d;this.section_code=b;this.photoIDs=a}var backgrounds=new Object();backgrounds[5960536]=new photo(5960536,"319045","","gallery","website.jpg",800,571,"Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)",0,0,"Red-necked Phalarope is about 18 cm (7 in) in length, with lobed toes and a straight, fine bill. The breeding female is predominantly dark grey above, with a chestnut neck and upper breast, black face and white throat. The breeding male is a duller version of the female. They have lobed toes to assist with their swimming. Young birds are grey and brown above, with buff underparts and a black patch through the eye. In winter, the plumage is essentially grey above and white below, but the black eyepatch is always present. They have a sharp call described as a &quot;whit&quot; or &quot;twit&quot;.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe Red-necked Phalorope is a very rare and localised breeding species in Ireland and Britain, which lie on the extreme southern edge of its world range. The most reliable place for them is the Shetland Isles, particularly the Loch of Funzie on Fetlar, with a few birds breeding elsewhere in Scotland in the Outer Hebrides. It has also bred in Northern and Western Ireland.","","Rónán McLaughlin","","","","",5);backgrounds[5965418]=new photo(5965418,"319045","","gallery","DSC_0505.jpg",800,571,"Gannet (Morus bassanus)",0,0,"The Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus, formerly Sula bassana) is a seabird and is the largest member of the gannet family, Sulidae. Their breeding range is the North Atlantic. They normally nest in large colonies, on cliffs overlooking the ocean or on small rocky islands. The largest colony of this bird, with over 60,000 birds, is found on Bonaventure Island, Quebec, but about 75% of the world population breeds around the coasts of Britain and Ireland, with the largest colonies on the Bass Rock (whence the species' Latin name), Boreray, St Kilda and the Little Skellig. This shot was taken on the Great Saltee, Co. Wexford.","","Rónán McLaughlin","Great Saltee Island, Co. Wexford","","","",5);backgrounds[5965622]=new photo(5965622,"319045","","gallery","DSC_0611.jpg",800,571,"Gannet (Morus bassanus)",0,0,"The Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus, formerly Sula bassana) is a seabird and is the largest member of the gannet family, Sulidae. Their breeding range is the North Atlantic. They normally nest in large colonies, on cliffs overlooking the ocean or on small rocky islands. The largest colony of this bird, with over 60,000 birds, is found on Bonaventure Island, Quebec, but about 75% of the world population breeds around the coasts of Britain and Ireland, with the largest colonies on the Bass Rock (whence the species' Latin name), Boreray, St Kilda and the Little Skellig. This shot was taken on the Great Saltee, Co. Wexford.","","Rónán McLaughlin","Great Saltee Island, Co. Wexford","","","",5);backgrounds[5965721]=new photo(5965721,"319045","","gallery","spoonbill4.jpg",800,570,"Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)",0,0,"Spoonbills are mostly white like an egret but with bigger fatter bodies and, of course, those flattened, spoon-shaped bills. Feeding birds swing their heads, sweeping their bills from side to side through the water. Juveniles have paler bills and black wing tips but it is unusual to find birds like these with so much grey in their plumage. In flight the neck and legs are out-stretched but held below the level of the body.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nBreeds in reedbeds or waterside trees beside shallow lakes, marshes and fishponds. Winters on marshes and estuaries.<br>\r\nAs the wide bill swoops through the water, it automatically snaps shut whenever it comes in contact with a food item which is then swallowed.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nBirds from north-west and south-west Europe winter mainly in Western Africa. Those from south-east Europe winter in the Mediterranean and north Africa. Eastern European and Turkish birds appear to move to north-east Africa, the Middle East and India.<br>\r\nThis bird is believed to have come from colonies in the Netherlands. This species has bred twice in the UK in the last 330 years, in 1999 and 2009 in Scotland. It is believe that this species probably nested in the past in Ireland before our extensive marshes were drained.<br>\r\n<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Timoleague Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5957896]=new photo(5957896,"285636","","gallery","DSC_0918.jpg",799,571,"Puffin (Fratercula arctica)",0,0,"An unmistakable bird with its black back and white underparts, and distinctive black head with large pale cheeks and a tall, flattened, brightly-coloured bill. Its comical appearance is heightened by its red and black eye-markings and bright orange legs. Used as a symbol for books and other items, this clown among seabirds is one of the world's favourite birds. <br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Great Skellig, Co. Kerry","","","",5);backgrounds[5957901]=new photo(5957901,"285636","","gallery","4430025586_9ae7bc94ec_b.jpg",800,571,"Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)",0,0,"A medium-size gull, smaller than most herring gulls. It has a rounded head and smallish beak, giving it a dove-like expression. It has very pale plumage and white wing tips, and, like the glaucous gull, it is sometimes referred to as a 'white-winged' gull. It is a winter visitor, with small numbers of birds, usually seen singly. It breeds in the Arctic and winters as far south as New York, Ireland and Britain. This is a first winter bird, and the only one this winter in Cobh.<br>\r\n<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Cobh, Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5958186]=new photo(5958186,"285636","","gallery","4215803159_a437e4974c_b.jpg",800,570,"Mediterranean gull (Larus melanocephalus) ",0,0,"Slightly larger than a black-headed gull, with an all-black head in the breeding season. Adults have white wing-tips and underwings, younger birds have more wing markings. It has a large, slightly drooped beak, bright red when adult. Until recently a very rare Irish bird, it is widespread in winter and breeding in small numbers. This is an adult bird in not quite winter plumage.<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Cuskinny Marsh, Cobh Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5958191]=new photo(5958191,"285636","","gallery","3702225192_8b40279afa_b.jpg",800,571,"Gannet (Morus bassanus)",0,0,"The Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus, formerly Sula bassana) is a seabird and is the largest member of the gannet family, Sulidae. Their breeding range is the North Atlantic. They normally nest in large colonies, on cliffs overlooking the ocean or on small rocky islands. The largest colony of this bird, with over 60,000 birds, is found on Bonaventure Island, Quebec, but about 75% of the world population breeds around the coasts of Britain and Ireland, with the largest colonies on the Bass Rock (whence the species' Latin name), Boreray, St Kilda and the Little Skellig. ","","Rónán McLaughlin","At sea","","","",5);backgrounds[5959451]=new photo(5959451,"285674","","gallery","4545922817_7373cf1f81_b.jpg",800,572,"Dunlin (Calidris alpina) ",0,0,"One of the smaller waders and our most abundant one in winter and on passage. A limited number breed in some sandy / grassy locations along the west and north coasts. Plumage is highly variable - in summer, rich chestnut above, streaked on breast, white below with a striking black patch on the belly. The more usually encountered winter plumage bird shows a rather non-descript, uniform, plain brownish-grey on all upperparts and cold white underparts. Juveniles in autumn have warm brown tones on the upperparts and considerable streaking on the breast and underparts. There are many other variations and combinations, depending on the bird's state of moult. It is a rather dumpy bird, with black legs and a longish bill which downcurves slightly. Often occurs in very large flocks. An important bird to get to know (in all its plumages) if you want to successfully identify other similar-sized waders.<br>\r\n<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Knockadoon Head, Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5959461]=new photo(5959461,"285674","","gallery","3904975628_57c0c899d7_b.jpg",800,571,"Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)",0,0,"At first glance resembles a smaller version of a Curlew - similar shape (long legs and neck) and plumage (grey/brown with streaking). The long, straight and slightly upturned bill, however is quite different. Summer plumaged birds occur sometimes, showing varying amounts of orange/brick red on the body feathers. Bar-tailed can easily be confused with the slightly longer-legged and more elegant Black-tailed Godwit, however in flight, Bar-tailed always shows fairly uniform, grey brown upperwings, a long white rump and a finely barred tail (Black-tailed is strongly patterned with black and white wings and tail and a square white rump). Usually seen feeding along outer shoreline of estuaries.","","Rónán McLaughlin","fahamore, Co. Kerry","","","",5);backgrounds[5959468]=new photo(5959468,"285674","","gallery","3767133596_28c9f586b6_b.jpg",800,571,"Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)",0,0,"The ringed plover is a small, dumpy, short-legged wading bird. It is brownish grey above and whitish below. It has a orange bill, tipped with black, orange legs and a black-and-white pattern on its head and breast. In flight it shows a broad white wing-stripe. Breeds on beaches around the coast, but has also bred inland in sand and gravel pits and former industrial sites. Many Irish birds live here all year round, but birds from Europe winter in Ireland and birds from Greenland Iceland and Canada pass through on migration.<br>\r\n<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Ballyhillin, Malin Head","","","",5);backgrounds[5960195]=new photo(5960195,"285674","","gallery","3636212841_cf1a57259c_b.jpg",800,571,"Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)",0,0,"Little Egret was considered rare in Ireland until it first started breeding here in 1997. It has since expanded and now occurs in almost every coastal county, as well as at a number of inland sites.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nA medium-sized white heron, with long black legs, yellow feet, black bill and blue-grey lores, and two elongated nape-feathers in breeding plumage. Little Egrets use a variety of wetland habitats, including shallow lakes, riverbanks, lagoons, coastal estuaries and rocky shoreline. <br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Rosslague, Cobh Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[6123081]=new photo(6123081,"285674","","gallery","garganeybest2_filtered.jpg",800,571,"Garganey (Anas querquedula)",0,0,"The male Garganey is most striking, with a huge, extended white stripe over each eye. Females are harder to identify, but compared with the similarly small Teal they have a more obvious pale eye stripe, pale throat and pale spot at the base of the bill. This gives the whole head a more contrasting, 'stripey' look. In flight, the Garganey is agile like a Teal but the males have obvious pale blue forewing patches. In females the forewing can be grey but this can be barely noticeable. Look instead at the white borders to the speculum. In a Teal the front bar in the middle of the wing would be widest but in Garganey these lines are either of equal width or are widest on the trailing edge, more like a Pintail. The Garganey has a more contrasting black and white underwing pattern than Teal.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nBirds migrate to tropical Africa during August-September, returning in February-April.Some small flocks remain in Mediterranean sites in winter. Most birds migrate via the eastern Mediterranean; even those which pass via Iberia in autumn apparently return via the Balkans in spring. However this stunning male bird has been returning to Cork for the past 4 winters.","","Rónán McLaughlin","The Lough, Cork City","","","",5);backgrounds[6123084]=new photo(6123084,"285674","","gallery","pochardflickr.jpg",800,571,"Pochard (Aythya ferina)",0,0,"The pochard is a stocky diving duck, smaller than a mallard. The male is pale grey with a rusty red head and neck, and a black breast and tail. The female is brown with a dark head and blotchy cheeks. In flight, birds show a pale grey wing-stripe. Birds breed in small numbers in Northern Ireland, with numbers increasing, perhaps helped by the creation of more gravel pits and reservoirs. Breeding birds are susceptible to disturbance and pollution though. Irish breeding birds disperse in winter, some to Europe, and many birds move here in winter from northern and eastern Europe.<br>\r\n<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","The Lough, Cork City","","","",5);backgrounds[6123086]=new photo(6123086,"285674","","gallery","shoveler_2_filtered.jpg",800,571,"Shoveler  (Anas clypeata)",0,0,"Resident &amp; winter migrant. Most occur between October and March. Wintering birds originate from breeding populations which range across France, northern Europe, the Baltic and western Russia. Ireland and northern Britain also support the small Icelandic breeding population during the winter.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nMales with green head, white breast, chestnut belly and flanks, blue upper forewing. Females similar to Mallard but distinguished by the bill and darker brown belly.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nBreeding in Ireland is centred around Lough Neagh and the mid- Shannon basin. In Winter Shoveler prefer shallow eutrophic waters rich in plankton, and occur on a variety of habitats while wintering in Ireland, including coastal estuaries, lagoons and inland lakes and callows.<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","The Lough, Cork City","","","",5);backgrounds[6123089]=new photo(6123089,"285674","","gallery","tufted_filtered.jpg",800,571,"Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)",0,0,"Resident &amp; winter visitor. Birds breeding in southeast England have been seen to move to Ireland, possibly influenced by cold weather.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nSmall and short-bodied, with large head and crest which is longer in breeding males than other plumages or females. Males with black plumage, white flanks, yellow eye and blue-grey bill. Females largely brown with paler flanks, resembles Scaup, especially with some showing extensive white band around the base of the bill. Shows a preference for large open lakes in lowland areas, where nests are built in waterside vegetation. Many nests in close proximity to each other. In winter it is found in lowland freshwater lakes. Often seen on town lakes, canals and slow-moving rivers.<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","The Lough, Cork City","","","",5);backgrounds[5955716]=new photo(5955716,"285675","","gallery","4332134111_3f185dbbe7_b.jpg",800,571,"Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis)",0,0,"Ring-billed gulls range from southern Alaska to the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to southern parts of Oregon and Colorado and northern New York. During the winter, it is found from British Columbia to Maine (including the Great Lakes and Maritime regions), then south to central California to southern Mexico to the Gulf Coast to Cuba. It is also found in Bermuda and Hawaii. This gull winters from southwestern British Columbia and Washington state to the Great Lakes region to Nova Scotia then southward. This one was photographed at Cuskinny Marsh in Cobh, Co. Cork .","","Rónán McLaughlin","Cuskinny Marsh, Cobh Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5956378]=new photo(5956378,"285675","","gallery","littleblue4_filtered_3.jpg",800,571,"Little blue heron (Egretta caerulea)",0,0,"The Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, is a small heron. It breeds from the Gulf states of the USA through Central America and the Caribbean south to Peru and Uruguay. It is a resident breeder in most of its range, but some northern breeders migrate to the southeastern USA or beyond in winter. There is post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range, as far as the border between the US and Canada. It is the only heron species in which first-year birds and adults show dramatically different coloration: first-year birds are pure white, while adults are blue. This is the first record of this Species of bird in Britain or Ireland. This photo was taken in Letterfrack, Co. Galway.<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Letterfrack, Co. Galway","","","",5);backgrounds[5957693]=new photo(5957693,"285675","","gallery","yellow2_filtered.jpg",800,571,"Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)",0,0,"The Lesser Yellowlegs is altogether more delicate-looking than Greater Yellowlegs. The head and, especially, the fine bill of a Lesser Yellowlegs gives an impression rather like that of a Marsh Sandpiper whereas a Greater Yellowlegs has a thicker-looking head and neck and a stouter, slightly up-turned bill and therefore looks much more like a Greenshank. From breeding grounds in central Alaska through to Canada, birds migrate in autumn to West Indies and South America, moving earlier in autumn than Greater Yellowlegs, and returning later in spring. This Irish rarity was photographed on the Cunnigar, Co. Waterford, and extremely obliging and photogenic bird.<br>\r\n<br>\r\n4th record for Co. Waterford.","","Rónán McLaughlin","The Cunnigar, Co. Waterford","","","",5);backgrounds[5958959]=new photo(5958959,"285918","","gallery","wheatearflickr.jpg",800,571,"Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe ) ",0,0,"There is only one species of wheatear that breeds in Britain and Ireland so identification is fairly straightforward.  Wheatears are a bit bigger than a Robin, have an upright stance and in flight show a conspicuous white rump and tail markings.  The males are striking with a black mask, black wings, grey back and pale underparts.  Females are not so bright and lack the black mask.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe first Wheatears can be seen at coastal localities in early March and by the end of March or early April good numbers are in the country. Exceptionally, Wheatears are recorded in late February.  The larger ‘Greenland’ race passes through slightly later.  Counts at Bird Observatories vary tremendously with the more westerly observatories generally recording higher numbers. There is some suggestion that Wheatears fly straight to their breeding grounds and that the ‘Greenland’ race tends to pause at coastal localities before starting their North Atlantic crossing to breeding grounds in Greenland and Iceland.<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Knockadoon Head, Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5958962]=new photo(5958962,"285918","","gallery","4476950256_3cb29c8e03_b.jpg",800,571,"Redwing (Turdus iliacus ) ",0,0,"The Redwing (Turdus iliacus) is a bird in the thrush family Turdidae, native to Europe and Asia, slightly smaller than the related Song Thrush. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 under its current scientific name.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe English name derives from the bird's red underwing. It is not closely related to the Red-winged Blackbird, a North American species sometimes nicknamed 'redwing' which is an icterid, not a thrush. The binomial name derives from the Latin words Turdus, meaning 'Thrush' and 'ile' meaning flank. A winter visitor to Ireland, soon heading northwards to its breeding grounds in Scandinavia and Iceland.<br>\r\n<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Little Island, Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5958973]=new photo(5958973,"285918","","gallery","4005597159_7fe7b4161e_b.jpg",800,571,"Robin (Erithacus rubecula)",0,0,"Is this Irelands favourite bird - with its bright red breast it is familar throughout the year and especially at Christmas! Males and females look identical, and young birds have no red breast and are spotted with golden brown. Robins sing nearly all year round and despite their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders. They will sing at night next to street lights. Taken at Galley Head, Co. Cork.  I recommend viewing this large. <br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Galley Head, Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5958978]=new photo(5958978,"285918","","gallery","3626154978_871c425f62_b.jpg",800,571,"Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)",0,0,"Males are unmistakeable with a bright yellow head and underparts, brown back streaked with black, and chestnut rump. In flight it shows white outer tail feathers. Often seen perched on top of a hedge or bush, singing. Its recent population decline make it a Red List species. <br>\r\n<br>\r\nOne recent study by the so called experts claimed there were 5000 pairs in Northern Ireland, when are these idiots going to start to listen to the birders on the ground, this species is in real trouble in Northern Ireland and drastic action is required. <br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Ballycotton, Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5958981]=new photo(5958981,"285918","","gallery","3602497077_082f2cc819_b.jpg",800,571,"House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)",0,0,"Noisy and gregarious, these cheerful exploiters of man's rubbish and wastefulness, have even managed to colonise most of the world. The ultimate opportunist perhaps, but now struggling to survive in Ireland along with many other once common birds. They are clearly declining in both gardens and the wider countryside and their recent declines have earned them a place on the Red List. At least Irelands most northerly colony seems to be faring well.<br>\r\n<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Ballyhillin, Malin Head","","","",5);backgrounds[5959007]=new photo(5959007,"285918","","gallery","3509879235_39617fa0e9_b.jpg",800,571,"Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)",0,0,"The sedge warbler is a small, quite plump, warbler with a striking broad creamy stripe above its eye, and greyish brown legs. It is brown above with blackish streaks and creamy white underneath. It is a summer visitor, and winters in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. Its song is a noisy, rambling warble compared to the more rhythmic song of the reed warbler.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nFound all across Ireland. A good place to try in summer is near a reedbed or a damp wetland, particularly near dawn and dusk when sedge warblers are most active. Look for singing birds perched on the outside of a bush.<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Cuskinny Marsh, Cobh Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5959065]=new photo(5959065,"285918","","gallery","DSC_0171.jpg",800,571,"Stonechat (Saxicola torquata)",0,0,"Stonechats are robin sized birds. Males have striking black heads with white around the side of their neck, orange-red breasts and a mottled brown back. Females lack the male's black head, but have brown backs and an orange tinge to their chests. Birds are frequently seen flicking their wings while perched, often doing so on the tops of low bushes. As its name suggests, birds utter a sharp loud call that sound like two stones being tapped together. They are widespread in coastal Ireland, and disperse more widely in winter. Although the species is not faring too badly in the Ireland, it is doing less well on the continent and is of European conservation concern, making it an Amber List species. A female bird with food for her chicks not too far away<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Harpers Island, Cork Harbour.","","","",5);backgrounds[5959271]=new photo(5959271,"285918","","gallery","4498340352_9da415344e_b.jpg",800,571,"Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)",0,0,"A small, brown, streaky bird, it is the commonest songbird in upland areas and its high, piping call is a familiar sound. In flight it shows white outer tail feathers and in the breeding season it has a fluttering 'parachute' display flight. In winter they are quite gregarious and gather in small flocks, often invisible among the vegetation, suddenly flying up with typical jerky flight.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nFound across Ireland but commonest in the west and north. In winter it moves south, to more lowland areas and becomes much commoner in the southern half of Ireland. Found in open country - upland moors to saltmarshes in summer, more agricultural land and marshes in winter. Will even come to suburban parks and playing fields.<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Knockadoon Head, Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5959310]=new photo(5959310,"285918","","gallery","4106440575_d3276c4cc8_b.jpg",800,571,"Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus)",0,0,"The rock pipit is a large stocky pipit, larger than a meadow pipit and smaller than a starling. It is streaky olive-brown above and dirty white underneath with dark streaking. It breeds around the coast where there are rocky beaches, and most of the birds that breed in Ireland are residents, with only the young birds dispersing once they become independent. Some birds arrive here from Norway to spend the winter and a small passage is occasionally detected in spring and Autumn of Scandinavian birds.<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Ballycotton, Co. Cork","","","",5);backgrounds[5959142]=new photo(5959142,"338811","","gallery","DSC_6564.jpg",800,571,"Buzzard (Buteo buteo)",0,0,"A medium sized raptor (bird of prey) with broad wings, a compact body, short neck and medium-length tail. Has a short hooked bill suitable for eating meat. Often seen sitting on fences and telegraph posts or soaring high in the sky, where it shows a fan shaped tail and spread outer wing feathers. Will also hang in the wind on updrafts. Flies with quick, stiff wing beats. Buzzards have very variable plumages from very dark to very light. Much of the plumage is barred. Adults are brown on the upperparts, body and underwing coverts and show a broad black band on the end of the tail and wing feathers. The rest of the underwings are whitish and finely barred. Variation in adult plumage is displayed on both the upper and under sides and some birds can be extremely pale, especially in the tail and upperwing coverts. Juvenile birds are similar to adults and also display a range of light and dark plumage variation; juveniles lack black bands on the ends of their tails and wings and some paler birds show prominent dark markings on the underwing at the carpal (wing joint). <br>\r\n<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","","","","",5);backgrounds[5959774]=new photo(5959774,"285919","","gallery","3608573476_b3fff0c1d1_b.jpg",800,571,"Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus)",0,0,"The hare is Ireland’s fastest land mammal. The tracks of hares can be distinguished from rabbits’ by their larger size (11-12 cm long). Young hares in their first few months may be mistaken for rabbits.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nThe Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is found only in Ireland and is arguably our oldest surviving Irish mammal. Its taxonomy is not straightforward, and many references continue to describe it as the mountain or blue hare, which is found in Scotland. Until recently it had been regarded as a distinct sub-species of the mountain hare, but it is now known to have been present in Ireland since before the last ice age and there is emerging evidence that its genetic characteristics merit classification as a species in its own right.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nTaken in Malin Head, Co. Donegal<br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","Malin Head, Co. Donegal","","","",5);backgrounds[5959797]=new photo(5959797,"285919","","gallery","4462508831_653b796d3b_b.jpg",800,571,"Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)",0,0,"Common Dolphin, despite its name is far from common, and can often be difficult to see from land. Schools of between 10 and 100 may be encountered at any time of year, but more particularly during the summer months. If seen well and at close range, this species has wavy stripes of yellow, grey and brown down its flanks, with a long and narrow beak. <br>\r\n","","Rónán McLaughlin","At sea","","","",5);backgrounds[5960242]=new photo(5960242,"285919","","gallery","2739947868_9b094db5cd_b.jpg",800,571,"Common Dolphin",0,0,"Common Dolphin, despite its name is far from common, and can often be difficult to see from land. Schools of between 10 and 100 may be encountered at any time of year, but more particularly during the summer months. If seen well and at close range, this species has wavy stripes of yellow, grey and brown down its flanks, with a long and narrow beak. This photo was taken close to Malin Head, Co. Donegal.","","Rónán McLaughlin","Malin Head, Co. Donegal","","","",5);backgrounds[5991940]=new photo(5991940,"286361","","gallery","The_Beach.jpg",800,571,"The Sands of Time.",0,0,"Taken on the famous Raised beach Ballyhillin, Malin Head Co. Donegal. Below Banba’s Crown to the east lies Ballyhillin Beach, a unique raised beach system of international scientific significance. The exceptionally distinctive shorelines illustrate somewhat dramatically the changing connection between the sea and the land from the period the glaciers began to melt, some 15,000 years ago. At that time Donegal was depressed by the weight of an immense ice sheet, so the level of the sea was up to 100 feet higher than today. The beach is also well known for its semi-precious stones, such as cornelian, chalcedony, jasper, serpentine, agate, etc., all of which can be cultured and set into jewellery. From here the distinctive sight of four different stages of sea level change and glacial activity can be seen. On the Northern end of the beach the stone begins to turn to sand","","Rónán McLaughlin","Ballyhillin, Malin Head","","","",5);