A recce and other stuff July/August 2014

Pictures from a few outings over the last week.

Thursday I recce'd the walk I should have been leading this Saturday.  

It was overcast as I climbed the slopes of the smaller of the Millfores'

Behind me I could see Clatteringshaw's Loch, Benniguinea and Cairnsmore (Black Craig) of Dee.

Zoomed in down to Craigdews cottages.

A selfie on Millfore

One of a number of cairns on Craignelder looking towards the river Cree and the Machars

Looking over to Tonderghie Glen.

The fields of Corwar and Dallash

Murray's Monument looking small.

After composing a drab and dreary panorama to the north I decided to try some enhancements.

Here's the result on Dermander. 

Descending Craignelder was difficult. Large tussocks, deep holes and falling on my 'Bahookie' half a dozen times convinced me I couldn't bring a group of ramblers down here. It took me an hour and forty five minutes just to reach the forest road.

On the walk back to my car I came across these wild orchids by the roadside..............

.................and this little beauty. 

The closest thing in my book tells me it could be 'Ragged Robin', I'm not sure ?

Friday the first of August

I was treated to this view on opening my bedroom curtains.

I've often seen the odd bird or two, but this morning there were a couple of dozen.

As well as pictures I took some video.

Youtube

What a gorgeous way to start my day.

So after the weekend's wet weather Monday looked a better day. I headed along the river bank.

Blooming strongly just now is the invasive Himalayan Balsam.

I love it but I suppose it does need to be controlled. 

Riverbank wild flowers are in full bloom, Autumn's coming.

The bees are so busy they almost ignore me and my camera.

Close to this pretty spot a water vole slipped down from the bank.

Another busy bee.

Water Forget Me Not.

A short walk through Doonhill Woods to check on................

...............the Blairmount Cygnets.

The little fella is still a bit shorter in the neck than the others but looking healthier than the other day.

One of the Juvenile Moorhens get's more adventurous.

That's it up to this Tuesday morning.

It looks like showers today.

More rain tomorrow.

June Is Bustin' Out All Over

Here's a few pictures from my recent wanders around Newton Stewart.

Make sure you scroll to the last picture, it wasn't taken by me, but is rather special. 

In the Glebe garden.

A survivor of the lawnmower blades.

Blairmount Park wild flowers.

Just landed.

Decking, ducks and ducklings on Blairmount Pond.

This cob has a nesting mate and likes to chase the ducks.

A ducking !

Moorhen.

I don't know whether the swan was trying to ape the duck here.

Just about to leave as the ducklings came over from the decking.

They're quickly learning that people walking round Blairmount pond might have some tasty snacks.

A climb up the hill. 

Cuckoo Flower

Rabbits.

Buzzard

???????????? Roughly two inches long at the base of a tree. Looks like a cocoon perhaps.

Wood spider nursery maybe ?
My thanks to Tammie of Spirithelpers for solving the mystery.
It's a slime mould, Fuligo septica.
Also known as dog vomit or flowers of tan after it's occurrence on oak bark used for tanning leather. 

Power lines

Curious cows.

Salmon fishing on the river cree

and finally

.....

............

introducing

........................

to the world

................................

Audrey Cass

Born to Sarah and Phil and weighing 7lb 11 oz, Audrey Cass is my newest granddaughter.

Thanks to Marie for this picture. She's about four days old here.

Well done Sarah and Phil.

Isn't she gorgeous.

Another Salmagundi or Gallimaufry

I haven't been far from home this week on account of appointments. I have however got out and about my home town of Newton Stewart, and I've taken pictures (I like the swallows)

I'll start with this aeroplane

This belongs to Scottish Airway Flyers and is based at Prestwick airport.

It's an interesting concept. Owned by a cooperative of around twenty five pilots, it's sole aim is to provide an aircraft for shareholders to fly at minimal expense.

This hare is sitting on the track of the old railway into Newton Stewart

Now some horses.

These are in a field very close to my house.

I'm not sure what this animal is, but it's in the woods above Barrhill farm

Flowing down the Cree

I may retrieve it on one of my coastal walks

Ornate iron posts near Kirroughtree House

Kirroughtree House

Cattle Feeder

Welcome to Newton Stewart

Just off the A75 at the turn off for Minnigaff

Birds next

My neighbours regular visitors

The next few are of the swallow family

I heard on the news today it's been a bad breeding season for swifts this year.

There's plenty swallows around still.

Views

Cairnsmore of Fleet

The tidal Cree

Plants and flowers

(All wild apart from one)

There's one thing about the rain, it certainly brings growth.