The Changing Season

We probably walk the ancient coast path that runs northeastwards from the village, passing below Dunrobin Castle, more than any other walk, particularly on days like today when there is hardly a cloud in the sky nor a breath of wind....

....so the sea is flat calm. It's a gentle walk with several places to stop. This picture was taken from the gate at the end of the forestry, where the path emerges into open meadows, a gate we lean against to enjoy the views and the wildlife; but we pass most time on a bench nearer the village which, at this time of year, is close to a mass of thistles which....

....the butterflies adore. It hasn't been a good year for butterflies and, even in this bright, calm weather, there aren't many on the wing: a few tortoiseshells, looking fresh minted, a common blue or two, the occasional 'cabbage' white, and....

....a surprising number of this tiny butterfly, a small copper, here sharing the thistle feast with a selection of flies.

The goldfinches also enjoy the thistles but a little later in their cycle, when the seeds are set. This was one of a 'charm' of goldfinches feeding near....

....a rather neglected terrace of Sutherland Estate farmworkers cottages.

Another sign of the changing season is the number of berries on the rowans, usually taken as a sign of how severe a winter we can expect: judging by the rowans' forecast, not too bad.

However, the classic sign of this changing season is the gathering of the swallows ready for their long migration south. These ones were basking in the sun on a goalpost set up by children against the stone wall surrounding Dunrobin Castle's vegetable garden. As I say to them every year, how I wish I were flying south with you, back to Africa to escape the cold tentacles of our coming northern winter.