A new year

It is taking a little longer every morning for the sun to make its way over Calgary hill and down on to the bay.  A month until the winter solstice and the shortest day.

The tups 'going out' is a significant event in Farmer's calendar.  They went out this afternoon, in batches of one or two - into a field of 50 to 100 ewes.   It is also significant in the wild flower calendar, as mob grazing the fields is a good way of clearing up any rank grass, and preparing the way for next year's flowers.

Snow on the Skye hills. And the ewes beginning their mob grazing, before they were joined by the tups.

The Cheviots and Zwartbles will tup in the fields below the house.  Nice and easy to see from the window too!

The Blackies will be in the fields around Haunn. 

An autumn break

The weather is being to turn today. It is windier and overcast, though there is still no sign of rain. 

I had errands to do yesterday which took me along Loch na Keal.  It was so clear you could see the houses on Iona from just beyond Ulva Ferry.

Farmer was at home with an equally long list of tasks, including spiking the silage areas so that when it rains again the ground where the wheels have compacted the soil, will drain better.  That is the hope any way.

Last night I was hoping for more northern lights, as the forecast was good. A faint but lovely glow was all I saw.  We are really so lucky here that there is no light pollution. The moon was strong and the stars were bright so I wandered around, whilst everyone else was asleep, practising my night time photographs.

Farmer and his family are taking a break tomorrow, but will be back soon.  We have an army of different helpers looking after sheep and cows, dogs, hens, cats and cottages.

Approaching midsummer, the flowers are 'spectacular'.

Bees in the fuchsia.

Snipe drumming.

Evening light on Rum in the distance.

The Park burn is dry.

Scent of fragrant orchid.

Luminous butterfly orchids unfurl.

Bog cotton slowly softly creating seed.

Scruffy ragged robin.

Starlings gather on electricity wires.