Southerness fossils and Caerlaverock swallows

On what turned out to be a rather dricht Thursday morning we headed out to Southernness, near Dumfries, to look at the stromatolites (laminated sedimentary growth structures of microbial origin ...although the definition is still hotly debated) and then head west to explore the dune system. It was however very wet, so the dunes were saved for another visit. As the tide was much lower than last time we visited, we were able to see some large expanses of stromatolites which was good. It was also nice to find brachiopods with their spines preserved next to them. With the weather improving in the afternoon we then popped into Caerlaverock where there was very little to be seen, especially (rather obviously) compared to the winter, but it was nice see the site in a different season.

A large orthocone. 

Stomatolites.

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Brachiopods - the lines are spines.

Brachiopods with spines and crinoids.

And on to Caerlaverock....

Swallows feeding young.

Patterns in the rushes.

Roe deer with fawn.

As we left the blue sky appeared!