Soldier's Rock

It was another beautiful day for our welly walk to Soldier's Rock and Nina was full of admiration for the sheep (amongst other things), which accompanied us some of the way. Once again the flora was outstanding and I was delighted to see my favourite flower - the Harebell - and was reminded of my favourite novel, Wuthering Heights, whose last, irony-filled line reads:

I lingered round them  [the graves], under that benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among the heath and hare-bells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.

The colours were truly amazing today and it was a joy to take such an appreciative audience to one of my favourite spots on Islay, to exchange stories and share the same natural world for a short season. Thanks Nina!

BIRDS:

Whinchat, Fulmar, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Oystercatcher, Red-breasted Merganser, Buzzard, Shag, Twite, Redpoll

FLORA:
Self-heal, Cross-leaved Heath, Bell Heather, Heather, Milkwort, Round-leaved Sundew, Harebell, Thrift, Marsh Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Spear Thistle, Heath-spotted Orchid, Meadowsweet, Wild Thyme, Bog Pimpernel, Grass of Parnassus,  Bog Myrtle, Goat Willow, Bracken, Hard Fern, Devil's-bit Scabious, Tormentil, Butterwort (leaves), Marsh Lousewort, Eyebright, Daisy, White Clover, Red Clover, Bog Asphodel, Yellow Rattle, Red Bartsia, Lady's Bedstraw, Common Cottongrass, Hare's-tail, Marsh Bedstraw

INSECTS:
Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Magpie Moth

Bog Cotton

Crowberry

Daisies at Soldier's Rock

Frachdale - one of the many deserted villages on The Oa

Harebell

Whinchat