Back to Islay: Ardnave Point

A fabulous week and a bit on Islay. Our first walk, as so often is the case when we visit, was round Ardnave Point. The walk is very diverse, with stunning views and lots of wildlife - just love it! The flowers were spectacular too, so they are the next blog - we hit it right for the orchids!

Walking down through the dunes.

Eider Duck creche - the females look after a group of chicks, the small ones top left are Shelduck chicks. 

Juvenile White-tailed Eagle.

Rocky snoozing, while I painted.

The classic view!

... and the sun came out.

Fabulous colours.

Seals on Nave island.

The machair was in bloom - a different assemblage of species to the machair in the Uists that we had seen a fortnight ago.

Looking over Gruinart to the Paps of Jura.

And a glimpse of a Hen Harrier. 

Of Bees and Brooms

A break from gardening to go to Workington Slag Banks (sounds salubrious!) and Maryport harbour. Both sites are good for orchids at this time of year and Maryport is home to the Small Blue Butterfly. While there were plenty of orchids, we may have been a little late for them to be at their best and many were wind burnt. We also managed a couple of Small Blues, at Workington but none at Maryport where there wasn't as much Kidney Vetch, their food plant, in flower, as there has been in previous years. The weather has also been pretty rough recently, if you are a butterfly. Good to see though! 

Bees ...albeit a bit scorched by the wind...

Small Blue...

Viper's Bugloss and Kidney Vetch at the Slag Banks. 

Bloody Crane's-bill at Maryport.

Common Spotted, Northern Marsh and Pyramidal Orchids at Maryport - all showing signs of stress.

And the Purple Broomrapes ...

Home...

Despite being away so much we are managing to, just about, stay on top of the garden...if you ignore the weeds! The fruit garden is another matter, but the greenhouses are looking good. 

We have many Sweet Williams - which I grew from seed last year. We have many foxgloves too..

Looking into the veg patch.

French and Runner Beans with much Rhubarb behind.

The yellow poppies and Turk's Cap Lilies are going over as is the Columbine.

Broad Beans are in flower.

Plenty of Alliums.

Plenty of Dagmar's roses to come.

Sweet Williams.

Astrantias are just opening.

The garlic is nearly ready to harvest and the onions and leeks are actually looking good.

Pots on the patio are looking good.

Colourful Geranium foliage.

The Auriculas in the tubs are looking really healthy. 

Back home

A very quick nip into Latterbarrow, which is always so pretty at this time of year! 

Ox-eye Daisies at their best...

Good numbers of Common Spotted-orchids and Greater Butterfly-orchids.

Greater Butterflies....

More Ox-eye Daisies...

Small Skipper.

Northern Brown Argus.

Common Spotted-orchids and a Fragrant Orchid. 

Common Rockrose.

And more Ox-eye Daisies!