Out in the Forth

 Three oil platforms out in the Forth at sunset.

One of the platforms brightly lit.

 The platforms viewed from Keil's Den

The platforms lit by the afternoon sun shining through the clouds. Perhaps they are parked because of the downturn in the oil industry, although this afternoon  I noticed that one of them had gone.

Keil's Den Spring 2015

A beautiful morning in Keil's Den - sun shining, birds singing and beside the burn, near to the new bridge, carpets of wood anemone.

Wood anemone  (Anemone nemorosa)

From the sturdy new bridge can see the old stepping stones and even although it's been an exceptionally dry April so far, some of the stones are under water, so the bridge is a welcome improvement.

Here and there patches of primroses and violets.

A bright yellow-green patch close to the middle bridge in the den. I think that this is golden saxifrage.
It is a plant that grows in damp places, like the banks of a burn. There are two species - Chrysosplenium oppositifolium has opposite pairs of leaves on the main stem, whilst Chrysosplenium alternifolia has its leaves arranged alternately and is much less common.

Bluebells on the bank of a small burn. However, the bluebells are not all out yet particularly in the upper slopes of the den and they should be at their best in a week or two.

Blackthorn was in full flower. The blossom comes out before the leaves.

Walking back into Lundin Links along the path that runs beside a field a pony came to say hello and pose for a picture,

 ..... and was joined by a friend.

I love this view looking back to the den with Largo Law beyond. The lower slopes of the Law are clothed in yellow gorse at present.

Fly Agaric

Fly agaric toadstool  (Amanita muscaria) in Keil's Den at the weekend. This is an older specimen specimen which has flattened out and has lost its bright red colour from the margin. Although unlikely to be fatal fly agaric is highly poisonous.

 These next two photos were taken some years ago in the Black Wood of Rannoch.

I think this photo was taken in the Lake District near Aire Force. Again it was some years ago. It shows the more typical bright red colour. The younger specimens have a domed shape.

A New Bridge in Keil's Den

The first glimpse of the new bridge through the trees.

A splendid new wooden footbridge has been built at the southern end of Keil's Den. There was a crossing here on stepping stones at this point but latterly they had become very uneven and slippery and virtually impossible if the burn was in spate..

The bridge from the eastern side.

The view upstream from the middle of the bridge.

The bridge from the western side.

A picturesque view looking back at the bridge.

Using the bridge in the middle, the road bridge at the top of the den and this new bridge several different circular walks can now be enjoyed. The den is managed by the Woodland Trust Scotland but the bridge was funded with a generous donation from a frequent visitor to the den.

Keil's Den Bridge Rebuilt

It's been a while since we walked up through Keil's Den to the bridge at the top which carries the road over the Keil Burn. The last time was in 2012 and at that time part of the side of the bridge had collapsed.

The bridge has now been sympathetically rebuilt in the same style and there is a plaque on the bridge to mark the date in 2013.

A picture of the spot taken in 2010. Unfortunately the seat is no longer there. I think it simply rotted away. It would be good to see it replaced as it's a lovely spot.

On the way home, looking back to the den, with Largo Law in the background and cows peacefully grazing in the meadow.

To the Far Bridge in Keil's Den

The approach to Keil's Den, cows contentedly grazing in a field dotted with buttercups and daisies. Largo Law is in the background.

 Hawthorn and rowan trees were in full bloom.

 The path throgh the woods.

Apart from bluebells there was red campion ....

....and greater stitchwort....

....and speedwell to name but a few. 

The stone bridge at the road at the top of the den. There has been damage at one side of the bridge. Not sure if it has been hit by traffic or if it is simply a landslip.

Bluebells in Keil's Den

One of the most spectacular sights in mid to late May must be the bluebells in Keil's Den. At every turn there are more delights.

Where the path comes up through the trees to a grassy area there are bluebells as far as the eye can see. 

Here bluebells line the path through the trees.

Lichen

Two species of lichen growing on a wooden bench overlooking Lower Largo Pier. The yellow one is likely to be Xanthoria parietina. The other is a grey foliose lichen but not sure about identification, possibly Parmelia sp.

A similar grey lichen growing on a log in Keil's Den.

Silver Birch Bark

The bark of a silver birch tree in Keil's Den. 

Sometimes it's good to look up to the sky. The white branches of the silver birch gleam against a bright blue sky.