Sunday 9 August 2020

Sunshine in the Dells

 Yesterday was hot and sunny so Crafty Green Boyfriend and I escaped to Colinton and Craiglockart dells, along the Water of Leith. Mostly passing through shady woodland this is a lovely walk for a hot day. I also took the opportunity to do a river patrol as a volunteer for the Water of Leith Conservation Trust

The river is surprisingly low at the moment, given how much rain we've had recently, you'd expect it to be higher. 

The rosebay willow herb is in full bloom at the moment

We were lucky enough to see a few butterflies, including this peacock 

and there were lots of birds around in the Hidden Orchard Meadow near Redhall Gardens, including this goldcrest, the smallest bird in the UK (smaller even than the wren)






7 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello

Pretty flowers, the butterfly is beautiful and I like the cute Goldcrest. Great sightings from your outing. Enjoy your day! Wishing you a happy new week!

Bill said...

Cool

Lowcarb team member said...

Looks so lovely, I enjoyed your photographs.

All the best Jan

RG said...

The rose bay picture is so interesting - it changes depending on how you happen to look at it!

here we call that fireweed ...

Vilt og vakkert said...

Heisann, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. Nature has a lot to offer, I appreciate what gift the experience give me, specially these days. All sights, sounds, smells, tasts!
This is place looks wonderful ;:OD)
Have nice days...

Caroline Gill said...

What a beautiful river walk, CGP, and what a fantastic Goldcrest, a bird I have only seen at Minsmere and then on rare occasions. A good clump of Rosebay Willowherb: we have a few stalks that have taken root in our hostas, and for weeks I was expecting hosta flowers until the penny dropped that the stems were way too tall, currently about 7 foot. I have never sat long enough by these flowers before to watch the seed dispersal, which in our garden, a bit like the flying ants, happens all of a sudden and without warning!

Crafty Green Poet said...


Thanks Eileen, Bill, Jan, Vilt og vakkert

Hi Rabbits Guy - rosebay willow herb is a wonderful plant to look at, the colours change as you say. Some people here call it fireweed too, as it likes to grow in places that have been burned

Hi Caroline - we're really lucky with how often we see goldcrests around Edinburgh, though the first I ever saw was near Bournemouth many years ago. Interesting that rosebay wilow herb is growing in your hostas!