The Point's wild 'garden'

The other night we went on to the lower part of the Point, to look at the seabirds nesting on the cliffs. It is a familiar refrain as to how few seabirds there are now, compared to the past. But it is true.  There are not as many.  Having established the nest we were interested in was a shag nest, we walked along the Point, where I haven't walked for a long time, and not at this time of year.  It was magical.  If a little vertiginous.  Inching out on my knees to take photographs of these beautiful cliff edge flowers, like the most wonderful wild garden. 

The week has continued to give us good sunsets...

The bluebells are glowing - this is the site for our proposed site, if ever we can sort out the access issues at the road end...

Last night the last cow to calf (very late) took herself off to this corner of bluebells next to the wood, and for a couple of hours we could hear her calling.  Farmer was checking on her from afar, using binoculars!  It was quite handy she had chosen to be close to the house for that reason.. About 9.25 he saw the front feet appear, and 30 minutes later when he checked again she was licking a newborn calf, already up on its feet.  Easy calving is one of the qualities you look for in a bull.  This years calves are the first from the bull we bought in March last year.   Farmer is pleased, and relieved, that there weren't any problems at calving time - no need to help or intervene.   Daughter and I reckon the calf will have to be called Bluebell, irrespective of its sex.

Along Loch na Keal, this hillside was sprayed 2 summers ago, and it has revealed a carpet of bluebells.

Shian garden has recovered from the upheavals of the winter!

Duill garden is recovered too.  We have sown wild flower seed on the bare patches of soil and laid some turf on this bit.

Last night Farmer had to go to Crackaig and Glac Gugairidh,  I went along for the walk.  There are more photographs here. 

Wild flowers of the day

Spring squill and a sunset

Pollination - even in the rain.  Not just bees do it. If you look closely at the butterwort you should see some wings...

We have had a couple of days of pretty heavy rain, and so the harrows are sitting in the yard, waiting. The ground is too wet at the moment.

With only 70kgs of cattle cake left in the shed, Farmer has decided to continue to feed the cows even though there is enough grass now.  The best before date is July so it makes sense.

The bluebells in the Coronation Meadow are looking lovely, even in the rain this afternoon.

Rochester (we never did give him a different name) and his cows rushing for the food.

Along towards Port Haunn, we go looking for otters and the spring squill.   In the last couple of weeks, guests have mentioned that they have had great sightings along here, of an otter family, but we weren't so lucky today.  We did find the spring squill though which was just as exciting.  It is a tiny blue plant and grows in one area of the raised beaches around Port Haunn.

Jan, keeping her distance, but keeping a close eye on what is going on at the same time.

Cap. What can I say, except that he wanted to bring a squeaky toy with him on our walk, and that he completely and utterly loves the Farmer, and vice versa.

Walter. No words can describe. 

The slip at Port Haunn.

Spring squill. It is barely an inch high.

Lots of individual plants growing along the cliff edges.

Sea pinks abound.

Sea pinks, juniper, sea campion and scurvy grass.

With Coll beyond.

Sea pinks surviving and thriving on the rocks below.

Clinging on to rock faces.

Eye to eye with a passing gull.  Tiree in the distance.

Walter, again waiting for Farmer. He is interested in no one else.

Butterwort. A spring overflows across rock and creates a perfect habitat for these deep purple flowers.

On our way back the cows are lying quietly in the light rain.  They stand up and move around as we go past.  Behind this stork, the bull is trying to serve one of the cows, who keeps walking away from him.

The faint patches of blue sky which began to appear as we got home gave way to a gloriously silvery sky and some beautiful post sunset sky colour.

The rain forest

After midnight, the moon rises above the hill behind the steading.  The sky is clear.  Stars are out. It is mildly breezy.  Everyone has gone to bed.  Except the moon.

The wind got up and brought cloud and rain this morning.  We fought our way through the wooded wilderness.  It is wet and muddy underfoot, with the added hazards of brambles and fallen trees.

It was tragic to see this huge tree felled by age and the weight of its branches in leaf.  (Not like we had a big storm or anything recently.)

The damp and shade loving plants thriving under native hazels and birches - a natural rain forest.  Delighted to see Sweet Woodruff coming into flower and to smell the heady scent of the bluebells.