Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies

There have been very few butterflies in the garden this year, only some whites. However, this week small tortoiseshells have begun to appear. They seem to have a particular fondness for valerian flowers.

A Summer Evening

Pink-tinged clouds above Largo Law.

Looking over Lundin Ladies Golf Course at sunset. Another hot day in prospect for tomorrow.

Lower Largo Beach - Sunny Afternoons

Although misty in the morning yesterday, the sun came out in the afternoon and today the sun shone all day. Good to see families enjoying the sun, sea and sand at Lower Largo. Although the car park at the Temple was full by lunchtime on both days, there was plenty of room for everyone and the beach still retained its unspoilt and peaceful atmosphere.

A Ghoulish Tree Trunk

Dead trees like this one in the Kemback Parkland can look very sculptural. Not sure what species of tree it was. There appeared to be another tree growing right round the trunk, whether off-shoots from the original tree or a different one altogether, not sure.

It was the shapes on the trunk that were amazing. They looked like distortions of noses, eyes and mouths.

Kemback Parkland Ponds

As well as the house and walled garden, there was a chance to walk round the extensive parkland at Kemback on the open day, yesterday. There was a woodland walk with some wonderful trees, but I particularly liked the interconnecting ponds. The largest of the lower ponds was very photogenic.

 Water lilies flowering on the lower ponds.

The upper ponds. There were flashes of bright blue damselflies as they hovered over the ponds but unfortunately they were too active for me to get a photo.

 Yellow irises flowering at the edge of the ponds.

The little stream that runs down through the woodland to feed the ponds.



Scotland's Gardens - Kemback House and Gardens

Spectacular borders in the walled garden.

The gardens and parkland at Kemback house were open today for the first time under Scotland's Garden scheme. It was a beautiful warm and sunny day, probably the best of the summer so far.

The head of the fountain that feeds the rill that runs through the walled garden. The rill is planted with shade and moisture loving ferns and white flowers.

 Statue at the edge of the woodland.

Kemback House. The tour of the house, which included some amazing period and contemporary paintings, sculpture and ceramics, was very well worthwhile and a chance to see round a house not usually open. The house and gardens at Kemback date back to the 15th century when they were owned by the Archbishop of St Andrews and the University.

Wild Flower Field Edge

So good to see wild flowers edging the field which borders the Serpentine Walk.

Mostly white daisies and red poppies but also spotted groundsel, ground ivy, pineapple weed and tiny blue forgetmenots.

 

I think the white daisies are scentless mayweed (Matricaria maritima)