Snapshot of the day

  Up at first light to have coffee on the deck watching the sunrise and having a look out for anything of interest. A buzzard mooched past, curlews and whimbrells were kicking up a fuss and a redhsnak paniced down in the harbour. Meanwhile overhead meadow pipits pass through now joined by siskins and redpolls. Just magic, what a way to start the day.

By mid morning the wind had picked up and was stirring the sea. The Bass Rocks was gleaming in the early sun. 

                           Into the sun the sea itself was like liquid silver.

 This afternoon I flushed 3 snipe from near the South Ness but another one stayed and strolled around allowing itself to be photographed. Usually the first you see of these birds is as they zigzag away at top speed. .

 You can see just how big its bill is in comparison to its body.

 This years young gannets are starting to leave their nests and Bass Rock itself. This one seemed to be fast asleep, soaking up the rays on the sea just off the island.

Immediately after digging the last of the potatoes up a pied wagtail came in to pick over the soil. A wheatear quickly followed. Different garden birds from the usual blackbird or robin!.