Day out, day in

Yesterday, it was a calm, crisp morning for a walk in the parish of Orphir. Along the coastal path from the Bu, we were entertained by a soundscape of Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks, cooing and yodelling from the sea below. In Gyre Wood, there were countless Goldcrests foraging in the branches of the trees, whilst from lower down to the ground, Wrens blasted out their extensive repertoire. We encountered at least half a dozen species of fungi, either on the maritime heath, along hedgerows or in the wood.

A view across Orphir Bay to the hills of Hoy

By the clifftop path, a Buck's-horn Plantain shows off its basal leaf rosette

 

We didn't meet a single soul on our walk. The only brief company being three escaped sheep

These ships are moored 😊

View over Gyre Wood to the Orphir hills

Candlesnuff fungus beneath a Gorse hedge

At the time, I thought this was Hogweed, but not so sure now.

Secluded dell where a burn flows into Gyre Wood

Difficult to photograph, a constantly-flitting Goldcrest, the UK's smallest bird

The burn cascading through the wood

Later, at home, a gull on a neighbour's chimney, silhouetted against the sunset

This morning, we're hunkered down indoors, dodging the showers rattling in on a strong northerly wind. The TV is on, flicking between wildlife cameras in Africa, Hawaii and Panama. I suspect that the only exercise I will have this afternoon is nervous fidgeting whilst watching Scotland Men's Rugby team take on Argentina at Murrayfield.