Frosty

It was as frosty as I've known it here earlier this week and the end of last. Even when the weather broke the ground was still frozen below. 

On Friday we walked up the Kame of Corrigall, the low hill behind our house. It was a beautiful day and from the top we could see the weather slowly advancing from the north-west.

The Kame is the hill to the left.

The weather is coming.

From the top.

The road home.

We went to The Ring of Brodgar the next day, where it was even colder, and the light was spectacular.

Loch of Stenness shore.

Loch of Stenness shore and Hoy.

Reed Canary Grass at Loch of Stenness.

A late afternoon amble to the Loch of Bosquoy.

There were some birds, Whoopers and Mutes in the ice free pools and Lapwings and Golden Plover roosting on the ice.

Mute Swans, Loch of Bosquoy.

Plovers roosting on the ice.

The cold weather disappeared the Great White Egrets, Grey Herons and depleted duck numbers significantly.

There were still visitors to the feeders in the garden but the hoped for Coal Tits and Bullfinches have yet to appear.

House Sparrow, male.

Starlings.

Compensation came in the shape of Merlin through the garden, Kestrel and just the second Peregrine of the year by The Shunan, Hen Harriers regularly through the garden or nearby and Short-eared Owls hunting nearby.

Cold plants....

Meadowsweet.

Selfheal.

Spear Thistle.

Wild Angelica.

And then the rain came.