Comma Butterfly at Balcarres

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.

Swans at Birnie Loch

 Swans and Cygnets at Birnie Loch

Birnie and Gaddon Loch

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.

Gritless in Fife!!

Fife Council hit the National news last week, being the first Council to run out of salt and grit. I was highly amused by this cartoon, published in The Courier newspaper on Sturday showing Fife Council workers standing round a salt cellar, saying "Is that it then?"