Worth waiting for?

Yesterday afternoon's walk saw a bit more in the way of wildlife than the previous few days. Birds were noticeably absent, but the Winter light brought some pleasing illumination to the hardy remains of a few wild flowers.

I think this is Self-heal, shorn of its purple flowers

This is definitely an umbellifer, but my woeful plant ID skills couldn't muster a guess as to which one

This walk was over and around Midland Hill in Orphir. To the west, the view was of a panorama from the north of Hoy, across Graemsay and over to Stromness. Within this panorama, I then managed to pick out a few interesting landmarks.

The Brig o'Waithe, where the Loch of Stenness flows out into the Bay of Ireland. As good a place as any to try and spot an otter

The Hall of Clestrain, birthplace of Dr John Rae, surgeon and explorer

The Northlink ferry Hamnavoe berthed in Stromness

The two lighthouses of Graemsay, Hoy High and Hoy Low

Cuilags, at 433m, the second highest hill in Hoy

The lookout point on Black Craig

The Ness Battery

The light was constantly changing as clouds obscured the sun. Looking across Hoy and beyond, a few mountains in Sutherland on the Scottish mainland could be seen.

Whilst on the 'wrong' side of the hill, a text message alerted us to a pod of fifty or so Common Dolphins between Houton and Hoy. After a few seconds' consideration, we climbed back to the top to see if we could spot them. You're going to have to take my word for it (for now), but the pod is between the two fish farm vessels in the below photo.

Honest... they are in there somewhere!

Another panorama, this time of the west side of Scapa Flow from Flotta to Graemsay

Way to the south, about 42 miles, is the Rumster Forest main television transmitter for Caithness

Clouds beginning to envelop Ward Hill and Cuilags in Hoy

And, finally, they're a long way away, they're not in focus and it was difficult to keep the camera steady, but... dolphins!