Keppols to Bunnahabhain

Fiona MacGillivray and I went for a long walk today. We were celebrating the long-awaited return of that warm, yellow ball in the sky. It made a welcome appearance yesterday to remind us what it looked like and today it teased the cumulus clouds (yes, I know you've all missed my cloud naming!), casting wonderful shadows and fantastic light on the autumnal colours of our landscape which I have so missed in recent weeks. We breathed in deeply of this rich air for, I don't want to depress you, but . . . . well, let's just make the most of it while it lasts!

We saw some fantastic things, starting with an otter which disappeared into the grass next to a passing place which we pulled into to allow a huge lorry to pass (we might not otherwise have seen it). We also saw male and female Bullfinches from the same passing place. Other highlights include Barn Owl at Staoisha Eararach and Crossbill in that woodland and male Blackcap near the military bridge at Bunnahabhain. Here's our list:

Buzzard, Kestrel, Raven, Hooded Crow, Blackbird, Dunnock, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Blackcap, Rock Dove, Song Thrush, Barn Owl, Crossbill, Pheasant, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit, Barnacle Goose, White-fronted Goose

Lots of fungi and lichen

Otter, Red Deer

Fox Moth Caterpillars (galore!)

Two fenceposts which caught my eye

Becky