The unexpectedly settled spell of weather over the past week has allowed some very welcome natural connections. On Saturday we walked to Sloy Dam under windless blue skies. The views of the surrounding mountains were fabulous. Wildlife was scarce except for a Treecreeper and a Great spotted Woodpecker (heard) down in the oakwoods, a cronking Raven over some crags and a Snipe which flew up from marshy ground near the dam itself. However it was great to spend a whole February day out on the hill (see photos below).
Today (Wednesday) started with an early morning (singing) Song Thrush and was followed by a work trip to Lochgilphead. Weather again very settled with strong winter sunshine (see above) and flat seas, but also "icing sugar" on the tops (a reminder that we are still -supposedly- in the grip of winter). Other reminders were the complete absence of any flowers along the roadsides, and the flock of Wigeon grazing on municipal grass just a few yards from Lochgilphead town centre.