Largo Baywatch

Big Garden Birdwatch

2012-01-28T17:53:00.002Z

For over 30 years now the RSPB has been conducting a garden birdwatch at this time of year. The public are invited to take part by watching and recording the birds they see in one hour in their garden or a park and sending in their results by post or on-line. My results for this year were:
Blackbird: 3
Dunnock: 2
Blue tit: 3
Coal tit: 1
House sparrow: 2
Robin: 2
Starlings: 4
Wood pigeon: 1
Crow: 1

For once the count was fairly representative of what we see most days (perhaps because of the frosty weather). Chaffinches usually feature but were absent. This month we have also seen goldfinches, bullfinches and long-tailed tits on occasions.

The Serpentine Walk in Winter

2012-01-24T16:51:00.001Z

Although the trees are bare, the winter evening sunshine brightens up the scene. No sun today, very dreich but these pictures were taken a few days ago.

Snowdrops are the first flowers to appear pushing through the fallen leaves. Quite early this year.

Fungi on a fallen log, possibly sulphur polypore also known as chicken of the woods.

Rainbow Over Largo

2012-01-21T21:50:00.000Z

Rainbow highlighting the top of Largo Law. Taken from the Serpentine Walk.

Looking over the fields from the Serpentine Walk.

Rainbow over Upper Largo with Largo Law in the background.

Swans Back at the Pier

2012-01-20T18:33:00.000Z

A pair of swans and a cygnet at Lower Largo Pier

Whoops!

2012-01-19T18:28:00.003Z

Stuck high up in a tree overlooking the Massney Braes in Lundin Links, is what looks like a model, or part of a model BA aeroplane that has come to grief. Logo just visible. Thank goodness that it was just a model!

A Sparkling Day

2012-01-15T20:20:00.002Z

A very frosty morning, but once the sun was up, a beautiful day on the beach.

Oystercatchers working the tide-line.

I saw three swans......

The sun goes down over the Forth on the eve of a lovely day.

Storm Damage

2012-01-09T16:10:00.002Z

The storm last week caused significant damage locally to slates, fences, sheds and trees. Here a large tree close to the bed of the old disused railway track in Lundin Links has simply been uprooted. At the base of the root ball some daffodil bulbs have survived.

Some Winter Fungi

2012-01-03T14:25:00.004Z

Many-zoned polypore - Coriolus versicolor - growing on logs near the path at the top of the Massney Braes in Lundin Links. The upper surface shows contrasting, concentric zones of black, grey and brown with a paler undulating margin.

Jelly Ear Fungus - Auricularia auricula-judae - growing on a rotting log near the path in the Serpentine Walk.

Coral Spot Fungus - Nectria cinnabarina - found on dead branches and twigs. This example was found near the path at the top of the Massney Braes in Lundin Links.

Early Snowdrops

2011-12-29T16:36:00.001Z

A small clump of snowdrops beginning to flower in the Serpentine Walk in Lower Largo. In the last few years it's been towards the end of January before they began to appear.

December Daffodil

2011-12-27T11:27:00.000Z

A bit battered by the gales but there is a daffodil now in bloom in the garden. Although it's an early variety, supposed to bloom in January, in previous years this particular clump of bulbs didn't come out until early March. Probable explanation is the extremely mild November.

Going back in time, nearly out on Christmas Eve and below buds beginning to show at the end of November.

Christmas Day at Birnie Loch

2011-12-26T10:13:00.003Z

Although exceptionally mild it was a windy and blustery day, so a beach walk would have been a struggle. Trying to find somewhere that would be more sheltered, we plumped for Birnie Loch. The car park was quite busy so obviously others had the same idea.

These birds were in the middle of the loch, but I think they were goosander.

Looking towards the Lomond hills from above the neighbouring Gaddon Loch.

Christmas Roses

2011-12-24T12:08:00.000Z

It's Christmas Eve but there are still one or two roses in bloom in the garden.

Also a daffodil nearly out.

Honesty Seed Heads

2011-12-18T20:02:00.002Z

The silvery, translucent seed heads of an honesty plant (Lunaria annua) at the back of the Temple car park in Lower Largo.

The seed heads and some of the seeds.

Cloudy Sunset

2011-12-15T19:09:00.001Z

Almost totally clear sky over Largo Bay but as the sun goes down some tall clouds appear above the horizon.

Cormorant is silhouetted in characteristic pose.

Sun goes down behind the billowing clouds.

Lesser Burdock Seed Heads

2011-12-12T17:18:00.002Z

Lesser burdock seed heads on a plant in the Serpentine Walk.

Each spine of the seed head is hooked so that it easily attaches to fur, feathers or clothing aiding seed dispersal. They are said to have inspired the Swiss engineer George de Mestral to come up with Velcro fastenings.

The same plant back in August showing the leaves and the purple thistle-like flowers.

Another example on a sandy path in the Massney Braes.

Moonstruck

2011-12-10T21:44:00.001Z

Just a fleeting glimpse of the moon this evening at the tail end of the lunar eclipse. Unfortunately it was rather cloudy as the moon rose over Largo.

The above and following photos were taken yesterday in much clearer conditions.

Jelly Ear Fungus

2011-12-08T14:10:00.001Z

Jelly Ear Fungus - Auricularia auricula-judae - growing on a tree stump near the path at the top of the Massney Braes in Lundin Links. Sometimes the fungus does look exactly like an ear.

Chinese Lantern Seed Head

2011-12-07T10:13:00.002Z

The wonderfully delicate skeletal structure of a Chinese lantern seed head. Don't have them growing in the garden, so it must have blown in on the wind.

Frost!!

2011-12-06T10:32:00.000Z

The first hard frosts of the winter making patterns on violet and teasel leaves.

Birch Catkins

2011-12-04T14:16:00.002Z

Small birch female catkins like tiny cones against a bright blue sky in the garden.

When I picked off one of the catkins it disintegrated and could then see the tiny winged seeds. They are actually only a couple of millimetres in size.

Lichen

2011-12-03T21:53:00.004Z

Lichen of various types, colours and patterns on tree trunks at the top of the Massney Braes in Lundin Links. A lichen is formed by the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga. They can be encrusting, leaf-like or branched. They will not grow in polluted air, so their presence is a sign of clear pure air.

Daffodil Buds

2011-11-27T12:28:00.000Z

Daffodils in the garden are in bud. I don't remember seeing them so far forward at this time of year. These particular bulbs are an early variety marketed as a January daffodil, but they don't usually bloom in our garden until around the first week in March. It will be interesting to see when they actually flower.

Brambles in November

2011-11-21T19:56:00.000Z

Two-thirds of the way through an exceptionally mild November, there are still some flowers on the bramble bushes.

Brambles ripening.

Faroe Sunset Shell

2011-11-19T20:04:00.001Z

Picked up a very pretty little shell, around 4.5cm in length on the beach in Lundin Links, one that I hadn't seen before. I thought it looked like a pair of angel's wings! After a bit of searching I identified it as Gari fervensis with the common name Faroe sunset shell.

The inside of the shell.

The name comes from the markings on the shell which look like rays of the setting sun on the horizon.

Moody Skies

2011-11-18T17:17:00.000Z

Grey November skies over Largo Bay with just a hint of brightness from the evening sun.

Autumn Trees

2011-11-14T13:53:00.003Z

Autumn foliage in the evening sun in Lundin Links.

The needles on the larch tree in the Serpentine Walk turn yellow before falling. The larch is the only European deciduous conifer.

The leaves have fallen off this hawthorn by the side of the path oalong the old railway line in Lower Largo but a profusion of berries remains.

The lichen on this dead tree alongside the path provides a welcome splash of colour.

Ivy flowers along the path. Ivy covers some of the fences along the old railway track. Its yellow-green flowers bloom late and are a good source of nectar for wildlife whilst its dense foliage provides shelter.

The galls on this oak tree in the Massney Braes are more noticable once the laeaves have fallen.

Sea Lemon

2011-11-13T14:02:00.001Z

Saw these strange creatures on the underside of rocks on the beach at Lundin Links. I think that it is a sea lemon (Archidorus pseudoargus). In spite of its common name it is a kind of sea slug. Here I think it is feeding on the orange encrusting sponge, which can also be seen in the photo, although more commonly it feeds on the breadcrumb sponge.

Holey Stones

2011-11-06T08:59:00.002Z

In a small area of the beach at Lundin Links, I found a number of stones with circular holes in them. The holes are likely to have been naturally made by a rock-boring bivalve mollusc, such as the common piddock (Pholas dactylus). All the stones I found appeared to be of red sandstone. The piddock's shell has a set of ridges or "teeth", which it uses to grind away at clay or soft rock. The shape of the hole made is due to the rotating motion of the piddock as it grinds the rock to form its burrow.

In some of the stones the circular hole goes right through as in these two above which I picked up in the same spot. They were about three inches high. In folklore these sort of stones were given names such as hag stones, Odin stones or witches stones. They were often used as charms, talismen or healing stones. They were thought to have magical powers and were often hung from doors of houses or on bedposts to ward off witches and other evil spirits.

Two-tone Sheep

2011-11-02T18:31:00.001Z

Always on the lookout for the unusual, I was intrigued by this sheep in the field in front of Largo House bordering the road between Upper Largo and Lundin Links. At first I thought it must have fallen into some mud but looking closely it appeared to have one black hind quarter (one black leg and three white). The wool on this hind quarter was also black. Not sure how unusual this is.

Animal?, Vegetable?, or Mineral?

2011-11-01T16:43:00.002Z

In the last few weeks I have found quite a few of these objects on the beach at Lundin Links, but I am not sure what they are. They are about the size of an average courgette, and they look a bit like the breadcrumb sponge, as they appear to be covered in oscula, except that they are cylindrical. I thought about a sea cucumber or sea gherkin but not at all sure. I even wondered if it was man-made tubing, that a sponge had grown round. I can find nothing that really looks like these photos either in my sea-shore field guide or in online images. However, searching on the internet, some sites mentioned that breadcrumb sponge will grow round kelp stems so I think that is my best guess so far.

Barnacles et al.

2011-10-31T12:19:00.001Z

On barnacle covered rocks one can sometimes see tiny periwinkles between and sometimes in the barnacle shells.

In this photo as well as the periwinkles there are also tiny mussels. Notice also the pitting on the barnacle shells. (Click to enlarge photo) The pitting is said to be caused by a lichen.
Note: For more information on the small periwinkles and the pitted barnacles, I highly recommend 'Jessica's Nature Blog.'

Autumn Colour in Falkland

2011-10-28T18:36:00.002+01:00

Autumn colour in the trees in the Falkland Estate. (Falkland village is about 14 miles inland and North-East of Largo.)

Stormy Weather

2011-10-26T16:09:00.005+01:00

In the last couple of days rough seas have caused spectacular surf and waves in Largo Bay. The view from Lower Largo Pier across the bay.

Looking towards Lower Largo from Lundin Links the beach was hidden by foam.

Waves break on the rocks opposite the pier at Lower Largo. Notice the three ducks battling the tide in the above photo.

The view from the pier looking towards the Temple car park at Lower Largo.

Looking towards Leven from Lower Largo.

Coal on the Beach

2011-10-25T10:42:00.002+01:00

Small seams of coal can be found amongst the rocks on the beach at Lundin Links. Although the largest coal fields were in Central and West Fife, there were small coal mines in the East Neuk, notably at St Monans, where the coal was used to evaporate sea water in the salt pans.

Quirky Rocks

2011-10-24T16:10:00.003+01:00

Someone in the local area has a template of a footprint and these appear all over Largo. This one is on a rock at the top of the beach just beyond the last house at the Temple in Lower Largo. Presumably it's meant to represent Man Friday's footprint, as Andrew Selkirk lived in Largo. He was reputed to be the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe.

The way marker on the coastal path at Lundin Links also bears the footprint.

This rock on the beach at Lower Largo really does look like a face. I am not sure whether it is natural or man-made. As the hole goes right through the rock, I wonder if it had been a post with a hole drilled through it to hold a rail. It lay amongst boulders at the top of the beach beneath the disused railway line. Perhaps they were originally placed there to support the track.
Whilst I searched for the stone and took the photos, I am indebted to Marysia's Photo Blog for drawing it to attention in her original post. It was a great spot.

A strange spider-like pattern on this rock on the beach at Lundin Links. I think that it's caused by the softer rock in the aggregate wearing away showing the harder rock beneath.

Fascinating Fungi

2011-10-23T17:19:00.004+01:00

I love the way fungi can turn an old tree stump into a natural sculpture. This example was in the woods at Acorn Bank, a National Trust property near Penrith.

The end of this fallen tree trunk on the walk to High Force had two types of fungi growing on it. I think that the largeris a many-zoned polypore (Coriolus versicolour) and that the tiny spots are orange jelly fungus (Dacrymyces ststillatus).

This boulder in the little stream which we passed on the short walk to High Force was covered in small pale orange fungi.

This was a large mushroom growing on a tree trunk near Pooley Bridge. I'm pretty certain that this is Beefsteak Fungus (Fistulina hepatica). It actually does look like a piece of steak.

This was another fungus growing in the woods at Acorn Bank. Not sure of the identification. Maybe a milk cap?

This mushroom was growing in the grass In the Masney Braes at Lundin Links. It was a bit like a misshapen golf ball, so I presume it is a puffball type.

Another mushroom spotted in the Massney Braes. No idea of the identification on this one.

The Money Tree at Aira Force.

2011-10-22T13:01:00.002+01:00

It was the fungi that first attracted me to this fallen tree trunk on the walk to Aira Force. Then I noticed that masses of coins had been hammered in to the bark and that it was a money or wishing tree.

Aira Force

2011-10-21T12:24:00.002+01:00

Close to Ullswater the most famous of the Lake District waterfalls, Aira Force drops an impressive 65 feet. It is paricularly spectacular after heavy rain.

The waterfall is surrounded by a lovely woodland glade.

A Waddling of Ducks

2011-10-19T18:34:00.002+01:00

The mallards at Largo Bay are quite shy and tend to swim away if approached, however, in the Lake District they congregate round car parks and picnic spots, indeed anywhere there might be a bit of food going. These above were in the car park at Pooley Bridge on the march for grub.

These four ducks arrived as soon as we sat down at a picnic table on the shores of Ullswater.

These two remained after the other two got bored. Eventually they settled down and fell asleep next to us, seemingly quite happy in our company.

Rather than waddling these ducks were paddling in Ullswater. They were a bit far away for identification, but I think they were tufted ducks.

Ullswater Scenery

2011-10-18T16:22:00.001+01:00

A beautiful day last Saturday at Ullswater. The photo shows the lake shore near Pooley Bridge. Note the two swans.

Looking through the trees to the lake from Dunmallard Hill at Pooley Bridge. The walk round the wooded hill takes about 30 minutes.

A good view down the lake from Dunmallard hill.

One of the steamers that plies between Glenridding and Pooley Bridge.

One of the steamers at Pooley Bridge Pier.

High Force after Heavy Rain

2011-10-17T12:01:00.000+01:00

Stayed in the Eden Valley for a few days but took a trip to High Force in Teesdale. After the heavy rain the week before the waterfall was spectacular.

The short walk from the car park to the waterfall is very pretty.

Note the fungi on the boulder in the centre of the photo.

King of the Castle

2011-10-09T13:09:00.000+01:00

Heron standing on rock at low tide at Lundin Links.

Boats at Low Tide

2011-10-03T18:50:00.000+01:00

Boats at low tide in Lower Largo Harbour.

Beadlet Sea Anemones

2011-10-02T09:19:00.003+01:00

A row of beadlet sea anemones (Actinia equina) with their tentacles out. Note also the periwinkles tightly wedged above and the barnacles and limpets clinging to the rock.

In this photo can see the blue beads on the sea anemone on the right that give rise to the name.

Red Admiral

2011-10-01T21:24:00.001+01:00

The sudden warm weather has brought the red admiral butterflies out in force. They seem particularly attracted to the valerian flowers in the garden. Although both red and pink valerian are growing together the red admirals seemed to be favouring the pink flowers.

Driftwood

2011-09-29T14:02:00.002+01:00

A large piece of driftwood on the beach at Lundin Links. Looks a bit like a stranded crocadile.

Some nice grain markings in the driftwood.

Sea Urchins 3 - Aristotle's Lantern

2011-09-27T17:02:00.002+01:00

The mouth of a sea urchin on the underside of the test (in situ above), contains five sharp teeth, which form part of a complicated structure, which I was fascinated to read is called 'Aristotle's lantern' because it was first described by the Greek philosopher in his 'Historia Animalium'. I carefully removed the structure from the test so that I could take photos.

The view from above.

Side view of the structure.

The view from below.

Outer and inner view of an individual tooth.

Sea Urchins 2

2011-09-26T11:29:00.000+01:00

Having found the outer casing or test of a sea urchin a couple of days ago, I was surprised to find another yesterday complete with all its spines still intact. The photo below shows the underside and the mouth which contains five sharp teeth.

Starfish Hiding

2011-09-25T10:33:00.005+01:00

As I walked amongst the rocks on the beach at Lundin Links this morning, I spotted this starfish under a rock. Resisting the temptation to give it a poke, I watched it as it slowly emerged and then moved along the rock to tuck itself in again. Nice to see a live one rather than a dead one stranded on the beach.
Note also the mussels embedded in the rock above.

This picture shows the numerous tube feet on its underside which assist locomotion and feeding.

Sea Urchin

2011-09-24T17:25:00.000+01:00

It's a long time since I've found the shell or test of a sea urchin on the beach in Largo. This was quite small only about 3cm. but the markings still as lovely.

Shaggy Ink Cap

2011-09-23T17:24:00.000+01:00

Shaggy ink caps growing in the Serpentine Walk close to the gate leading to the main road in Upper Largo.

A young specimen with rugby-ball shape and smooth brownish apex.

An older specimen showing the shaggy scales. It is just beginning to turn inky black at the bottom.

Hazelnuts

2011-09-22T15:53:00.002+01:00

Clusters of hazelnuts that had fallen off the tree in the wind, on to the path in the Serpentine Walk. The nuts develop from the female flower and are surrounded by frilly papery bracts. Here they are just starting to turn from green to brown.

Spider Wars

2011-09-10T17:18:00.000+01:00

Not sure what is happening here - the small spider appears to be attacking the larger garden spider or is it trying to defend itself?

Art Amongst the Dunes

2011-09-07T17:16:00.001+01:00

Sometimes people leave their creations for everyone to enjoy - this one of shells and stones on the Massney Braes in Lundin Links.

This striking sculpture of flotsam, jetsam and litter stands high on the dune between Dumbarnie Links and Shell Bay. I took this picture last year but I think that it is still there.

Rosa rugosa

2011-09-06T17:12:00.001+01:00

Rosa rugosa - The flowers are lovely and have a heavy scent which attracts bees and hover-flies, but best of all are the wonderful large hips in the Autumn.

There are several large stands of Rosa rugosa along the coast of Largo Bay. It is one of the few roses that withstands salt-spray and storms. The roses pictured here were on the path bordering Lundin Golf Club car park.

Comma Butterfly at Balcarres

2011-09-04T17:09:00.000+01:00

I knew that comma butterflies had been seen in Fife since around 2003 but this was my first sighting in Scotland, although I had seen one in England in Shropshire. Balcarres Garden had an open day under Scotland's Garden Scheme and it was there that I spotted it on this origano flower. As well as the comma there were numerous peacock, red admiral and small tortoiseshell butterflies.

A hover-fly has also got into the picture here.

Autumn Fungi

2011-09-03T12:40:00.000+01:00

Although I'm fascinated by the variety of fungi, I find it difficult to identify them even with a field guide. However, I think this is a shaggy ink cap. They are already starting to blacken.

This completely black toadstool was on the path surrounding Gaddon Loch. Really not at all sure what it is.

This one was at the side of the path in the Serpentine Walk in Largo. Maybe a russula species?

This fungus started off as a dome shape and then flattened as in the photo below. I thought it might be a parasol type but not sure.

Swans at Birnie Loch

2011-09-02T11:12:00.001+01:00

Swans and Cygnets at Birnie Loch

Birnie and Gaddon Loch

2011-09-01T13:43:00.000+01:00

Heron standing stock-still on a small island in Birnie Loch. I love the colours in the reflections in this photo. Birnie and Gaddon Lochs form a nature reserve in North East Fife. The reserve was created from old quarry workings.

Looking over Gaddon Loch to the Lomond Hills

Nice Autumn colour in a young viburnum tree.

Seal Close to Shore

2011-08-28T07:51:00.001+01:00

This grey seal was basking on a rock very close to the shore opposite the golf course in Lundin Links. It seemed to be enjoying the attention of bystanders on the beach.

Sea Rocket

2011-08-26T21:12:00.002+01:00

A clump of sea rocket (Cakile maritima) growing at the top of the beach in front of the Temple Car Park in Lower Largo. A member of the cabbage family (Cruciferae) it has fleshy succulent leaves which conserve water. It will tolerate being covered by sand and will grow through it. It is an annual and its seeds, which are resistant to salt are dispersed by the tides. It is usually found at or just above the strand line.

Meadow Brown Butterflies

2011-08-25T20:11:00.001+01:00

Two meadow brown butterflies doing what butterflies do. Amazingly they had been flying joined together and came to rest in the bracken at the edge of the disused railway track in Lower Largo. The male has brighter colours than the female below.

Coastal Erosion

2011-08-24T17:24:00.001+01:00

Just beyond the last house at the Temple area of Lower Largo there is an area of erosion where the bank is collapsing.

This small section of an old sea-wall was intact until a few months ago but now the central part has collapsed as has the banking behind it (see below). The coastal path runs a few feet above this on the disused railway track,

Views from the Walk to Dumbarnie Links

2011-08-21T20:30:00.000+01:00

Looking inland to Largo Law

Looking across the Forth to North Berwick Law

A nice sky over Largo Bay

Lochans in Dumbarnie Links. Normally these are seen in the winter, but we had so much rain in the early part of August that the water-table must be very high.

The hard heads and yellow flowers make a colourful display. Yellow daisy flowers are difficult to identify but I think from the lanceolate leaves that these are smooth sow thistle

More Butterflies

2011-08-20T13:55:00.002+01:00

Red admiral butterfly on clematis in the garden.

A common blue butterfly in Dumbarnie Links.

Small copper butterfly at the top of the Massney Braes in Lundin Links - so pretty and dainty

Peacock butterfly on hard head flower along the disused railway track in Lower Largo.

Small tortoiseshell on hard head flower again along the railway track. The hard heads were attracting butterflies wasps, bees and hover flies.

Tidal Sand Ripples

2011-08-17T20:29:00.001+01:00

One of the best things about the beach between Lundin Links and Lower Largo is that it is constantly changing; the sand shifts, pebbles and seaweed move around. I love the varying ripple patterns made by the tides.

Rock Striations

2011-08-16T15:30:00.001+01:00

On the shore between Lundin Links and Lower Largo Pier, there are some interesting rock formations. In this one above different coloured bands of sandstone can be seen shading from grey to reds and purples as in the more detailed photos below.

More Hover-flies

2011-08-15T12:31:00.004+01:00

The larger fly on the right is a drone-fly (Eristalis tenax). The smaller one is the hover-fly (Episurphus balteatus) - see 8th August post. They are both feeding on ragwort in the Serpentine Walk.

Hover-fly (Scaeva pyrastri) on a campanula flower in thegarden.

Some Largo Bay Shore Life

2011-08-14T16:40:00.002+01:00

A beadlet sea anemone with its tentacles out above and below some as they are usually seen contracted into a jelly-like blob.

The tubes of a worm probably the sand mason worm. The tubes are built of sand grains cemented with mucous. An individual tube below.

From a distance this rock looks black but it is actually covered in thousands of tiny mussels.

An edible crab stranded on the beach.

Painted Ladies

2011-08-13T21:42:00.001+01:00

A painted lady butterfly sunning itself on the path at the top of the Massney Braes. Didn't realise I had also captured a wasp at the same time.

Another painted lady on the sandy path through the braes. Unable to survive the European winter, it is a migrant from North Africa.

Yet More Rain!!

2011-08-11T17:27:00.001+01:00

After another 48 hours of rain the Keil Burn is in full spate this evening. The water was rushing over the pipe in the middle of the photo which was taken from the bridge in Largo Road in Lundin Links. Normally the water level is around a foot below the pipe.

Note the pink flowers of the Indian Balsam on both sides of the burn (Click to enlarge photo). Indian or Himilayan balsam is a native of the Himilayas. It has spread rapidly in Britain since its introduction to Britain as a garden plant in 1839. It particularly favours stream and river banks.

Looking into a Whelk Shell

2011-08-10T20:04:00.002+01:00

Common Whelk or Buckie. (Buccinum undatum)
Empty whelk shells are common on the beach in Largo. However this one was on the pier and I was surprised when I turned it over to find the whelk still inside. Possibly it had been dredged up with a creel. The foot can just be seen behind the round operculum with which it can close the opening of the shell.

Hover-fly

2011-08-08T14:28:00.003+01:00

Hover-fly (Episyrphus balteatus) on St Johns Wort.

I think this is a male because the eyes meet at the top of the head. The wasp-like colours deter predators although the fly is harmless and does not sting.

After Summer Rain

2011-08-07T17:24:00.001+01:00

24 hours of heavy rain in Eastern Scotland. The little waterfall at the intersection of the paths in the Serpentine Walk in Lower Largo had been down to a trickle but today it was in full flow.

Blue Heaven

2011-08-05T12:03:00.003+01:00

Patches of blue along the disused railway track in Lower Largo. The Scottish bluebell, also called a harebell. It's actually a campanula (Campanula rotundifolia).

Large patches of meadow cranesbill (Geranium pratense) along the side of the track.

The patches of scabious were attracting bees and butterflies and also the six-spot burnett moth.

More Lepidoptera

2011-07-31T10:53:00.001+01:00

Six-spot Burnet Moth (Zygaena filipendulae) on Scabious. Walking along the disused railway track in Lower Largo, saw a number of these moths. Knapweed and scabious seemed to be the flowers that were attracting them.

Treble-bar Moth (Aplocera plagiata) This pretty silver grey moth was in the hedge in the garden.

A ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) butterfly, a little bit tatty, at the edge of the disused railway track .

Not a very good picture but I think this is a dark green fritillary (Argynnus aglagia) taken in Dumbarnie Links.

Small Tortoiseshell on Ragwort

2011-07-28T10:53:00.000+01:00

Small tortoiseshell butterflies were flitting about on the ragwort at the Massney Braes in Lundin Links.

Across the Forth

2011-07-25T12:21:00.000+01:00

The cruise liner Crystal Serenity off the East Lothian Coast. The Cockenzie Power Station can also be seen.

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar

2011-07-23T21:22:00.005+01:00

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar on Ragwort (Senecio Jacobaea) at the edge of the disused railway track in Lower Largo. The bright colours of both the caterpillar and the moth are a warning to deter predators.

Big Butterfly Count

2011-07-17T20:39:00.001+01:00

Meadow Brown Butterfly.
Spent 15 minutes at the Massney Braes in Lundin Links. Most common butterfies were the Meadow Browns, but there were also Small Whites and also saw one Common Blue.

Meadow Brown Butterfly

Common Blue Butterfly on Nettle.

A Soldier Beetle

2011-07-09T16:04:00.000+01:00

A tiny (10mm) soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) on a thistle head at the beginning of the Serpentine Walk in Lower Largo.

A True Bug

2011-07-02T21:45:00.002+01:00

An interesting bug on a scabious flowerin the garden. I believe that it is Globiceps cruciatus - a capsid bug of the order hemiptera.

Stranded Jellyfish

2011-06-27T10:21:00.004+01:00

Literally thousands of moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) stranded on the beach at Lower Largo at the weekend. Being nearly all water, they soon dry out so that almost nothing is left.

Update

The jellyfish also caused a problem at the Torness nuclear power station on the other side of the Forth in in East Lothian. Both reactors at the station were shut down as a precautionary measure after huge numbers of jellyfish were found in sea water entering the plant.

Storm Damage in May

2011-05-25T21:34:00.001+01:00

The storm a couple of days ago caused considerable damage particularly to the polytunnels covering soft fruit in the area. The trunk of this beech tree in the Serpentine Walk has been split in two by the strength of the wind.
'Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May.' - William Shakespeare.

Queen Anne's Lace

2011-05-21T21:40:00.005+01:00

Queen Anne's Lace - Anthriscus sylvestris

White is the predominant colour in the Serpentine Walk and the disused railway track at Lower Largo. Cow parsley (or Queen Anne's Lace, the more attractive name) lines the path.
May or hawthorn blossom is also in full flower. The first flowers on the hawthorn appeared around the 1st May this year which was a few days earlier than in the last couple of years.

Around Strathpeffer

2011-05-18T20:30:00.003+01:00

The Eagle Stone - Strathpeffer

On our trip to Invernessshire we visited Strathpeffer - a Victorian spa town and once health resort.The Eagle stone is a Class 1 Pictish symbol stone on blue gneiss situated on a low hill on the northern edge of Strathpeffer. It depicts the symbols of an arch and an eagle.

The Rogie Falls

We then visited the Rogie Falls a few miles away on the Ullapool Road. These are spectacular falls with a wooded background on the River Blackwater

The view from the walk to the falls.

Culloden and Clava Cairns

2011-05-16T20:25:00.006+01:00

The Memorial Cairn at Culloden

The Clan Donald Stone. This picture gives a good idea of the bleak Drumossie Moor where the Battle of Culloden was fought. It marked the end of the Jacobite Rebellion.

One of the burial chambers built 3-4000 years ago.

Some of the standing stones at Clava

Thrift or Sea Pink

2011-05-14T21:19:00.003+01:00

Thrift or Sea-Pink (Armeria maritima)
Although thrift grows right around Britain's coasts, I haven't seen it before in the local area but here was a bright patch of it growing at the side of the slipway to Lower Largo harbour.

Beauly - Un Beau Lieu

2011-05-13T21:25:00.004+01:00

View from the River Bank in Beauly.
Spent a long weekend in Invernessshire based in Beauly.

Broom in full flower on the river walk path.

A dead tree covered in lichen on the path.

Beauly Priory

Terns at the Pier

2011-05-05T20:48:00.001+01:00

Terns on the rocks opposite the pier at Lower Largo. At the bottom of the rocks there are also two other small birds - turnstones I think.

Cambo Tulip Festival

2011-05-04T21:56:00.000+01:00

Tulip display in the walled garden at Cambo.

Female mallard with thirteen ducklings in the Cambo Burn which flows through the walled garden.

Dryad's saddle fungi on a fallen tree trunk in the woodland at Cambo.

Orange-tip Butterfly

2011-05-03T21:06:00.002+01:00

A female orange-tip butterfly on garlic mustard flowers. The female has black wing-tips rather than the bright orange wing-tips of the male. There were males flitting about but they were far too active to get a photo. At this time of year garlic mustard, also known as Jack-by-the-hedge, edges the path of the Serpentine Walk. It is an important food plant for the caterpillars of the orange-tip.

Keil's Den In Spring

2011-05-02T21:22:00.001+01:00

A glimpse of Largo Law between the trees in Keil's Den

A bank of Greater Stitchwort on the bank just over the road near the stone bridge in Keil's Den.

A damp meadow full of Marsh Marigolds.

Marsh Marigolds or Kingcups

A Bank of Bluebells.

De-comissioning the Methil Power Station

2011-04-19T21:05:00.002+01:00

The Methil Power Station is gradually being taken down. The main building is now just a shell. The site is expected to be cleared by the end of the year.

A pair of mute swans with four juveniles seen just off the pier in Lower Largo, with the Methil Power Station in the background. I will miss the view of the power station's chimney from the pier, as it defined the Western end of Largo Bay

Keil's Den - First Walk of the Year

2011-04-11T20:44:00.004+01:00

The grain of the wood on this fallen tree makes a wonderful natural sculpture. Gorse is flowering in the background.
We had put off a walk through Keil's Den because it can be muddy slippery underfoot in wet weather, so this was the first time that we had visited this year. Early Spring flowers were in bloom particulaly celandine and wood anemones, but there were also small clumps of primroses and wood sorrel.

A carpet of wood anemones clothing the banks of the Keil Burn

Dog's mercury. (Mecurialis perennis). At first sight this plant appears to have no flowers, but on closer inspection there are small flower spikes. Although it doesn't contain mercury, it is poisonous, the poison being in the volatile oil from the plant.

Great wood-rush (Luzula sylvatica). This plant is widespread near the burn in Keil's Den.

Spring Flowers in the Serpentine Walk

2011-04-05T20:44:00.002+01:00

Celandine flowers line the banks of the Largo Burn which flows through the Serpentine Walk.

In the above photo celandines are flowering with butterbur.

Daffodils line the side of the path in the Serpentine Walk. Blackthorn flowers are also beginning to come out.

Wordsworth's Daffodils

2011-03-27T20:41:00.002+01:00

Wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) - Wordsworth's Daffodils

There are many varieties of daffodil growing wild in the local area, but this one growing in the Serpentine Walk is a much slenderer plant than the garden varieties. Unlike the usual familiar all-yellow, the trumpet is is as long as the pale outer petals but is of a darker yellow. These are the daffodils 'fluttering and dancing in the breeze' that inspired Wordworth's famous poem.

A Polycheate

2011-03-16T20:07:00.001Z

Spotted this worm in a small pool of water at the top of the beach in Lower Largo. Very active, twisting and turning, bluey-green in colour, about 9 to 10 inches long. I think it's a ragworm (Nereis sp.)

Autumn and Winter Storm Damage

2011-03-14T20:22:00.002Z

Damage to the end of Lower Largo Pier. A triangular boulder has been up-ended in the picture above.

The end of the damaged pier seen from the beach below.

A boat from the harbour damaged in a storm holed along the side. Presumably the 'No Parking' sign doesn't apply to boats!!

Signs of Spring

2011-03-12T20:00:00.001Z

Although it was back to winter today with wintry showers, there are signs of Spring. The first daffodil in our garden has been out for about a week now, actually earlier than last year by about 3 weeks.

A ladybird in a budding walllower.