Although Scotland's iconic Highlands are harsh to live in due to seasons and more, they teem with prospering wildlife. Seas, 'lochs' (lakes, Ness containing more water the all lakes in England in Wales) and rivers, rich in fish, form the basis of an affluent food pyramid on top of which is the fish eagle, breeding in between migration from and back to West Africa, in time to feast on the salmon returning to its native breeding grounds. Fish-eaters also include otters and dippers which nest in cavities by the bustling rivers, but when melting snow makes them rise wildly, young must be hastily leave, ready to fly or not. On land, owls rather feeds on the abundant rodents, as do weasel family-members like the stoat, whose stamina suffices to outrun a rabbit. Squirrels acrobatically feed and nest in high trees, while deer fawns must hide until strong enough to run with mother. Written by KGF Vissers

Summer is the richest and most intense season in the Highlands, when abundant food enables raising young. For prey species, that's always a balancing act between safety and access to food, especially when they're too weak to run along like new fawns. Feeding is exhausting, and firstborn may, as often in the eagle's nest, eliminate weakling siblings' 'competition' the hard way. Plenty of fish attracts many aquatic birds to the cliffs and islands, but safe high nests also require coming fledglings jumping down into the sea, while colonies must contend with predators and hostile neighbor. Written by KGF Vissers

After the warm abundance of summer, many migratory species leave Scotland, with few newcomers, like some geese, and a star re-migrant: Atlantic salmons, Scotland's richest wild banquet, ceremoniously welcomed by humans anglers too. Those who stay must in autumn complete preparations for the merciless winter, such as squirrels' nut stocks, while many males rival to sire the young that are usually expected by spring. The icy, windy winter is natural selection at its harshest, guaranteeing only the strong survive. Written by KGF Vissers

The Highlands may seem timeless, since the Roman reached what they called the Caledonian forest, nearly all has been transformed by humans. Vast woodlands were felled, mostly replaced by pastures and heather, thus triggering a vast wildlife change, often giving way to hunting, tourism and shepherding. Since last century, nature awareness has allowed significant efforts of conservation and restoration, from reintroduction of species like reindeer and red kites to 're-wilding' of whole tracts, supported by media campaigns and eco-tourism. Written by KGF Vissers