A mixed bag and a mixed flock

A short break on the Scottish mainland was made possible by the fact that Orkney and the Highlands were both (at time of travelling) in Scottish Tier 1 of the Covid regulations. And in this neck of the woods, the travel restrictions are backed up by the full force of the law.

Woods, as well as rivers, were on the agenda, and some calm dry weather helped too. But definitely fleecy trews temperatures.

Not long past dawn, the mist is still lifting from the valley of the River Helmsdale

Loch Fleet, a rest halt brought about due to a rolling road closure for the transportation of wind turbine blades. Three v-e-r-y long vehicles indeed.

Frost on Bramble leaves, near Skelbo

Frost on a frond, near Skelbo

Tarbat Ness and lighthouse

There was much excitement upon spotting this exotic creature. Not many Blue Tits in Orkney

Crested Tit. It was very mobile and difficult to photograph...

Coal Tit

The crispest shot I managed of a Crested Tit. If only it had been looking the other way

Another Coal Tit (there were a few)

Fortuitously, I left a camera running, trained on a nearby log. When reviewing the footage later, midst the plethora of Coal Tits, there was a single Crested Tit. Apologies for my audible disgruntlement at not capturing a photograph.

Did I mention the Coal Tits? 

The bag of mixed seeds was an error. The Coal Tits were really only interested in Sunflower seeds. Once the sunflower seeds had been snaffled, everything else was largely ignored. Decidedly discerning diners, Coal Tits.

A Long-tailed Tit in lessening light