Stormy Winds

A ship anchored in the firth is often a sign of bad weather, confirmed when I checked the identity of this vessel - the Esvagt Alba - where, on the Ships AIS site, its destination is given as, "shelter off Golspie". I don't blame the crew: the weather here is awful, its sunny intervals lulling one into a sense of security before it throws rain, sleet, even snow at us powered by gusts which are well above gale force.

The Esvagt Alba is a Danish vessel designed to service offshore wind farms. She offers on-board workshop, spare parts storage, a crane, and accommodation and re-creation facilities.

This lamb, the first we've seen this year, obviously didn't check the weather forecast before putting in an appearance in the field just along from our house.

Continuing on the recent theme of spring's yellow flowers, this is, I think, coltsfoot, but it's the first time I've seen it growing in a burn.

It was far too windy to walk along the sea shore this morning so I took to the woods, stopping to check the scarlet elf cups. Most are now looking rather sad but many are fresh, this one filled to the brim with nectar for the elves' delight.

I'm still no further forward in explaining why this particular fungus seems to be doing exceptionally well this year while all the others seem to have given up on us.