Saturday 31 May 2014

Arthurs Seat

It felt very like summer on Arthurs Seat today.

The air was scented with the coconut smell of the gorse and the marzipan smell of the hawthorns. Jackdaws were chasing each other round the cliffs and rockier parts of the hill. We had a very brief glimpse of a raven, which dropped the rabbit it had been carrying. Chaffinches were lined up along by the side of the path singing to each other. We also heard willow warblers and a whitethroat. Crafty Green Boyfriend was delighted to get this view of a greenfinch, which can be a very elusive bird.

Then we noticed some swifts flying round so we walked over to get a better view and found ourselves surrounded by about 30 low flying swifts! Crafty Green Boyfriend was very happy to get this photo, a tricky one, as swifts, as their name suggests, fly very quickly indeed.

Butterflies were out too, we saw green-veined white, small white, small copper, small tortoiseshell and a red admiral.

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7 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

very pretty. sounds like a great day.

almtsbb said...

I just Love the bird pictures. Crafty Green Boyfriend does such a great job.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Never really considered that a raven can pick up a rabbit. We're always careful to go outside with Josephine. We have hawks here and she's only 8 pounds.

eileeninmd said...

Sounds like an awesome day.. Great birds and butterflies. Happy weekend!

Little Miss Titch said...

lovely Photos Juliet,xx Rachel

Beate said...

What a beautiful place to visit. And that shot of the swift is amazing! :)

Pete Thompson said...

Great photos. I always get butterflies in my stomach when I set out on a walk at this time of year - everything in nature is so exciting