Snow on Largo Law Again

View of a snowy Largo Law taken from Dumbarnie Links

It snowed last night but didn't lie for long at lower levels, however, Largo Law had a snowy cap.

Goldeneye

Male Goldeneye (Click to enlarge photo)

There was a solitary male goldeneye in Lower Largo Harbour today. The female looks quite different. It is a mottled grey with a dark brown head and neck.
Horrible weather, where the North of Scotland got snow, we have had torrential rain and sleet for the last for the last 24 hours.

Natural Sculpture in Wood

I took this photo in Keil's Den primarily for the fungi, but it was only when I looked at it on the computer that I noticed the amazing grain patterns on the rotting wood.

Keil's Den in Winter

The view downstream from the lower bridge in the den.

Hadn't been to Keil's Den for a while as we thought it would be too wet and muddy, but today it seemed drier underfoot so decided to give it a go. It was still a bit slippy in places but well worth the effort. There was still some snow lying and it was so peaceful. We didn't see another soul. It reminded me of Robert Frost's poem, one of my favourites

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

The view across the bridge.

Fungi on Rotting Wood - Velvet Shank??

Orange fungi on a pile of logs in the Serpentine Walk.

A close-up image of the fungi

Wasn't sure of the identity of these fungi. I thought they might be Sulphur Tuft but I went back and took a photo of the underside and am now pretty certain that they are Velvet Shank. The orange gills and chocolate stems make the identification likely. Also this is a species which continues fruiting through the winter. Not that I would trust my identification enough to cook and eat them, although they are supposed to be edible. Unless they've been identified by an expert, I prefer to buy my mushrooms from a supermarket. Too many stories of people getting the ID wrong with disastrous consequences!!

Winter Lochans - Dumbarnie Links

Looking from Dumbarnie Links Wildlife Reserve over the wartime defences to a winter lochan.

An extensive partly frozen winter lochan at Dumbarnie Links yesterday, with Largo law in the background. In winter these lochans are formed in the hollows of short rabbit-grazed turf and moss.

A redshank and its reflection at the edge of the winter lochan.

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

Lamb's-Tails Catkins

Bitterly cold today and a thin layer of snow lying this morning but these catkins in the Serpentine walk show promise of Spring. I think they are hazel catkins. Clumps of snowdrops and aconites also now flowering.