June 25th 2016 #30DaysWild

The field below the house was glowing today.  I found patches with dozens of Common spotted orchids.  The wild Sorrel has gone to seed along with lots of grasses flowering, adding the pinkness.

I think this is Horseshoe Vetch, just beginning to flower.

June 24th 2016 #30DaysWild

I have no words today. 

June 23rd 2016 #30DaysWild

What can I say? I wasn't there.

Farmer went with a friend to see the Fossilised tree today.  He said it was much further than he had thought.  The ladder was very scary.  But it was all very beautiful, and not called 'the wilderness' for nothing.   The wild goats were an unexpected surprise. 

On their way back to the car, they had a swim in this beautiful pool.  A far more exciting wild day than mine, so I thought I would share it with you. #30DaysWild

June 22nd 2016 #30DaysWild

Day 22 of #30DaysWild.  We walked below the house this evening.  The fields are blooming. 

Common spotted orchid.

The Bracken is encroaching on the orchids.

June 21st 2016 #30DaysWild

A female Mallard walked across the yard this morning with 5 ducklings following fast behind. They disappeared down into the almost dry burn.

My only wild observations today were on my way to Salen from home.  I went via Ulva ferry.  The oaks are looking beautiful, and so are the foxgloves.

June 19th 2016 - #30DaysWild

One of those dreich grey days when there is little or no light.  I was on my way to Lochmaddy to catch the ferry to Uig.  

It is quite windy. The greyness of the low mist and cloud seems to flatten and spread the island widthways emphasising the big skies.  By the time I had got to Lochmaddy it was pouring with rain and blowing a gale. 

 

Wondering if I would see anything wild before I reached the ferry, it was amazing to find this swan family so close to the road.  

Once on board the MV Hebrides, the Captain described the wind as 'fresh'.  I would say 'rough'.  

June 18th 2016 #30DaysWild

A blissful and beautiful day.  I travelled north to Benbecula and North Uist.  

This family of Sheldrake was a huge bonus, I watched them for quite a while.  

There is a field on the machair sands on Benbecula which caught my eye last year.  It was filled with Daisy, Wild pansy, Silverweed, Buttercup, Forget-me-not, Corncockle. SO beautiful. Drifts of colour, light, scent.   The field was not as lush as last year, suffering from the lack of rain too, as we are on Mull.  Some of the plants were tiny - Forget-me-nots smaller than Daisies!

I drove up to Balranald, and nearly ran over a Corncrake.  The last time I saw one was on Barra when 2 appeared outside the cottage door, a couple of years ago.  So this was a lovely unexpected surprise, and I was hugely relieved I didnt run it over - it just darted across the road right in front of the car.

I returned for another look at the machair field on my way back to Lochboisdale.   Just so lovely!  I met the local rabbit trapper who explained that he trapped the rabbits with a special trap which kills the rabbits instantly.  I saw him carrying one away from the traps.

I saw several Short-eared owls hunting along the roadside in various places on South Uist - always a magical sight.