Structures of the departed

Last month, during a dragonfly walk in Russadale, the group spotted an old wasp's nest, tucked away under a heather bank. On our recent potter up the dale, I noticed that it was still there and pondered upon how long it could last in its sheltered location.

On the other side of the valley, hidden by sycamore trees, was a slightly older derelict building, its ruinous gable still visible.

Further away, looking north west, is the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

In a bit more detail...

Stones of Stenness (lower right); Ness of Brodgar (peninsula between Harray and Stenness Lochs); Ring of Brodgar (centre left). In the distance is Skaill Bay (with the associated settlement of Skara Brae) and the Atlantic Ocean.

Behind Tormiston Farm and Mill is the large chambered tomb of Maes Howe.

Bloomin' lovely

On our Russadale walk, we were pleasantly surprised by all the Devil's-bit Scabious in flower. Little pom poms of various hues of purple, from very pale to the more normal shade.

And I was very taken with one particular umbellifer (Wild Angelica, I think) for its photographic possibilities.

Later, back at Tense Towers, I had another joyous umbellifer experience...

A very unexpected Wild Carrot!

A million to one shot

As Saturday was such a glorious day, we drove over to Stenness to visit Russadale, in the hope of seeing some odes. Parking at Happy Valley, we first had a look at the pond there.

I have not yet seen an adult dragonfly or damselfly here, which is odd, as by all accounts there's larvae been discovered during pond dipping sessions.

Then we wandered up Russadale, heading for the old quarry and its pools. Just about the first insect we saw was a male Black Darter...

but the second insect, and the nine hundred and ninety nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety nine after that were all midges. We lasted about five minutes, just enough time to photograph a rove beetle (ID'd as Staphylinus erythropterus by DD) and a diving beetle, before beating a hasty retreat back out into the valley.

In the comparative safety of a more open area, I started to see other insects amongst the vegetation...

A Common Carder bee on the flower of a Devil's-bit Scabious. (Thanks to AF for the bee ID)

A moth, Udea lutealis, again on DBS. (Thanks to MH for the moth ID)

I think this is either a gall or an ichneumon wasp.

A Meadow Brown butterfly.

A hoverfly. (an Eristalis spp, thanks to AF)

Later at home, whilst strimmering a particularly overgrown bit of the garden, I disturbed this fellow. ID'd as a Square-Spot Rustic by MH (thanks again!).

You will be glad to hear that I didn't bother trying to photograph the midges, as this would have resulted in this being a much longer post.

Arguing black is white

Saturday night...

Our Lass: "Have you seen my Kindle charger?"

Me: "Afraid not, but use mine, it's by the phone chargers."

OL: "Thanks!"

Sunday morning...

OL: "Thanks for the loan of the charger. Are you sure that one's not mine?"

Me: "I don't think so. When did you last see yours?"

OL: "On holiday... three months ago. I do think that's mine, y'know."

[We search the house for another Kindle charger just like the one pictured above. We look in cupboards, on shelves, in suitcases, in bags, behind things, on top of other things and under yet more things. Not a sign.]

Later on Sunday...

OL: "Oh! Here's mine! Panic over."

Where the wild things aren't

In the Spring, I had high hopes of turning an area of our garden, known as the wildlife triangle, into a colourful and thriving patch of wild flowers. You may recall that things didn't go according to plan, see here and here.

Fast forward four months to the present, the area is still undoubtedly very triangular and, technically, does contain wild flowers. It is just that they are of the dock, thistle and nettle persuasion, rather than the cornfield annuals which I had envisaged.

There's also some mystery brassica/crucifer in there too, which is at least popular with moths, butterflies, hoverflies and Greenfinches.

So, all in all, not an unqualified success.

As I mowed the lawn this morning, I noticed that there was a very architectural Hogweed at the top corner of the triangle, which I suspect Our Lass will have designs upon for decorative purposes.

And then, at the opposite end of the triangle, amidst some rampant grasses...

I noticed two small splashes of colour...

Corn Cockle! Yay!

Wordless Wednesday

Fly in the sky

Despite the blustery and overcast weather, there are still crane flies about. One particular individual spent the whole of yesterday afternoon on our lounge window, allowing the opportunity for some photographs in a range of lighting conditions (and wind speeds!).

I'm rather hoping that everyone is so appalled by the state of my windows, that no-one will mention anything to do with my faux pas of last week and the amount of wingage on display.

After sunset, I happened to be sat next to the window, listening to the cricket commentary on the radio, as Durham were narrowly defeated in the T20 Blast final by a plucky Northamptonshire side.

Anyway, it was growing darker as the light faded, and the crane fly slowly walked its way back down the glass, until it reached the frame at the bottom. After a pause of a few moments, possibly checking that the coast was clear of wagtails, it launched itself into the breeze and disappeared swiftly downwind.

This was probably a smart move in the circumstances, as today has seen plenty of wagtail, swallow and martin action around the garden, with a few pipits and a flock of sparrows thrown in for good measure. It makes you wonder just how many crane flies are required each year to keep a viable population on the go.