Ardmichael Cemetery, South Uist : Lichens...

Cemeteries often provide a good track to a beach. So we pondered why are cemeteries, so often, on the coast in the Hebrides. The wonderful resource that is the internet, tells us that there are three reasons: 

1. It's easier to dig in sandy soils compared to the solid rock or water-laden peat of the interior, and it has good drainage.

2. People settled on the coast used the sea as a means of transport. 

3.There were no inland roads. 

But I digress...The wall at the cemetery at Ardmichael was indeed splendid - dripping with lichens, mainly Ramalina - probably - siliquosa and Xanthoria parientina and Xanthoria aureola. So a few more photos...

A patient hound!

Fabulous fruiting bodies on the Ramalina.

Just love the textures!

Xanthoria parientina is also known as the Common Sunburst Lichen (among other similar names)  - very descriptive and apt. 

Then I looked at this photo and wonder if it's Xanthoria aureola.....AI says that it is, it certainly looks a bit more foliose than the normal Xanthoria and it is more orange in colour. Its common name is Seaside Sunburst Lichen - nice! 

Ardmichael cemetery and beach, South Uist.

As we worked our way back up north, we stopped off for a beach walk - Rocky the dog's favourite pastime! Parking at the cemetery allowed easy access to the beach. 

The splendid lichen-clad wall of the cemetery.

Different wall, different aspect and different lichen flora. 

Dripping with lichens - next blog!

An overcast beach. 

Whale bone.

And colourful machair - Bird's-foot Trefoil.

Fields. 

Lewisian Gneiss

Lewisian Gneiss is a Precambrian metamorphic rock that underlies much of the Hebrides and it is the oldest rock found in the UK. Formed by being heated up and pressurised deep within the Earth's crust it has characteristic banded patterns that can vary in colour. I can feel some experimental collagraph prints coming on...when I get time!

Loch Aineort Trails

Today we headed off to a new part of the island for us. We parked at the road end of Loch Aineort on South Uist, on the northside of the Loch. Here there is a small carpark and then a wooded/moor area with a variety of short trails. There is a donations box to the upkeep of the trails - worth it. It was really sheltered and offered very 'typical' views when out in the open. The highlight turned out to be the slabs of Lewisian Gneiss that we sat buy for our lunch...Apparently the site is good for Red-throated divers, but not today. 

The woodland path.

General views...

A stone picnic site.

The Bluebells are still in flower. 

I'm not sure if the small walled garden is cared for, but the Comfrey was doing really well. 

Common Carder Bees were making the most of it...

Out into the open.

Classic views...

Lunch spot.

Patterns of Gneiss...

And there were seals....

Seaweed patterns

And whilst photographing patterns in the sand ....there was seaweed too - which may lead to a textile piece...and maybe I should have picked some up to press and dry, so that I can print with it....

Patterns in the sand

Walking along the beach; a mindfulness walk photographing patterns ....that may well lead to some collagraph prints.