December day skies

These extraordinary clouds are Nacreous clouds.  They are formed in the lower stratosphere over polar regions - so very unusual here, so far south.  A bit like Noctiulcent clouds the clouds are illuminated by the sun which is just below the horizon.  The colour is formed by the sun hitting the ice particles in the very cold clouds, which can be between 70,000 and 100,000 feet above sea level. 

The word Nacre comes from an old English word meaning Mother of Pearl.

What a treat to see this.  I stood and watched the colours change before my eyes, until the lower clouds obscured it completely. 

 

An unusual visitor

One of the highlights of the summer for us was having a Turtle dove on the farm for a few days.   Farmer has seen one here before, and so has Prasad, but I hadn't ever seen one.  Initially I wondered if I ever would as Farmer kept seeing it, and so did our guests, but then finally I saw him/her on the track just over the garden wall.   What a special experience.  

The calm warm weather changed and our exotic visitor moved on. 

Whiteout!

It really isn't often that we have snow here.  What happens mostly is that the weather forecast predicts it, but the weather gods don't follow through.   Today they did, and it has been a lovely novelty.  Luckily we didn't need to drive anywhere - though I think the roads were fine, the electrician came to do a job this afternoon and wasn't snowed in.

There was a sparse sprinkling overnight, barely leaving a trace in the morning.  Farmer fed the Herdwicks in front of the farmhouse.  Then it snowed.  

After lunch it snowed again.  We walked the dogs to Haunn and looked for East, Middle and West through the snow. We were watched by a group of 12 hinds, standing stock still on the hill over the Black Park fence.  

Now it is dark, and the temperature has dropped.  I have my fingers crossed it will still be white tomorrow!

The turn of the year - December weather

December has been a mixed month of weather.  Intense cold with snow and ice, and some dramatic storms.  Thank goodness for a warm fireside. 

Glen Forsa skyline 

Loch na Keal

Loch na Keal

Inch Kenneth

From Haunn, to Rum

From the Black Park to Rum and the Cuillins

Treshnish Head

Clouds over Coll

Tupping time at Haunn

Afternoon light at Haunn

Staffa and Iona from Ben Reudle

Ben More from Ben Reudle

The roadsign, the cairn and the Ben

Calgary pier 

Ice cold sunset Calgary

Sunset at Calgary

Caliach Point and Rum

Mishnish lochs

Calgary headland

Treshnish Head from Calgary

Southerly winds

Whooper swan, Mishnish Lochs

Treshnish shoreline 

Ensay Port