ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Thursday 12 June 2014

REPORTED. (12/06/14)

I hope the ground nesting birds have almost finished their nesting but I suspect many haven’t. I went out yesterday evening to look for rare and wonderful things. I found a really common thing. A bloke walking the path through the sand dunes and throwing a ball into the Marram grass and other tall grasses off the path for a pair of Spaniels. I shouted.

“HEY UP… .STOP IT.”

He said they like chasing the ball. I pointed out that there were Pipits, Wagtails and Larks going up in clouds. He said the dogs aren’t chasing them. I explained that they didn’t need to chase them to disturb their nesting. He called me an interfering twat so, full of wit and repartee, I called him an ignorant fucker.

Fortunately our routes diverged I was going to find the rarest plant I had never seen and also a very rare bird. After a dull day it was a beautiful evening, a bit chilly in the breeze but the wind was what was required to cool me down.

_MG_2259     This is what remains of the boat used on the Salmon fishery.

_MG_2247   This is the memorial to the Reverend Norman Macleod. I can’t help thinking that if he had to go from here to Nova Scotia, on to Australia and finish up in New Zealand that he was more than likely a bigger pain in the arse than I am.

_MG_2252    The waves were frolicking in the sunshine. Sounds better than splashing…I think so. Nothing like a good row to cheer me up.

_MG_2251    Split Rock…from this angle I can imagine how it slid down.

macPMVetch     Purple Milk Vetch….this is scarce enough so I thought it warranted a close up. If not a very good close up.

orchididk   This Orchid is half the size of the one I posted yesterday, it is different.

It’s time for a drum roll and a fanfare of trumpets.

I trust you imagined the music and the drums.

oysterplant

oysterplant2     Mertensia maritima. I find it beyond beautiful, I am lost for words. Almost. It’s leaves are robuster than Dithery’s policies and it’s flowers, like the Forget-me-Not, understated. I will never forget this plant. It survives in cold and lives on rocks and still manages to look elegant. The highlight of my year and I know nothing about plants. It is the Uma Thurman of the botanical world.

There used to be some in Northern Ireland but they dug them up along with the shingle it grows on so they could make more concrete. Jim, the owner of this campsite has protected this from sheep, people and dogs with boulders and weld mesh. It is now spreading. There are two tiny satellite plants. Brilliant and even better for me to find something without the prefix Common. I’m afraid you will get more views of this when the light isn’t as harsh. I still haven’t got myself a new umbrella. I shaded the first image with my pullover but then I got chilly so the second shot took it’s chance in bright sunshine..

I have seen a strange Pied Wagtail, it doesn’t wag it’s tail and it has a grey head not a Black head. I got back to the van and it was sitting on a post just outside. I switched lenses and it then flitted to the fence surrounding the bins. I opened the window really slowly and quietlyish, stuck the camera and a bit of my head out. It flew off but it is a Shrike. I hope it didn’t fly far. I’ve popped some muesli out and a selection of bird seed. The sparrows think all their birthdays have come at once. I have no idea what Shrike like for tea.

The fish man came during the afternoon. I treated myself to a posh food.

_MG_2260      Half a dozen fresh nipping Prawns. For once I managed to avoid getting nipped whilst getting them into the pan. It requires a certain dexterity to avoid the bubbling water and the prawns pincers. I was two thirds of the way through this delicate operation when Jim came round to say that Spaniel Man had reported me for being abusive. I explained I’d only called him a fuck wit and hadn’t hit the bastard. The Assynt Warden, (Assynt is where I am, not a typo.) had seen the birds go up so Spaniel Man is barred. There are notices up telling those that are literate to keep dogs under close control and pick dog crap up. It is great being able to take dogs where you like up here but you have to remember that they can be a bloody nuisance. Living with my two poppets I don’t need a big sign to remind me.

It’s raining again….I can feel a colouring in day coming on.

Have fun.

33 comments:

  1. Good for you Adrian, give the sod what for. Some people are so ignorant and mouthy to boot.

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    1. Horst, he met his match when it comes to mouthy.

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  2. Adrian, you say that you didn't find anything with the prefix common on your walk today?...well I'm afraid I'll have to disagree!...you did find something that sadly is all too common...THE COMMON ARSEHOLE...one of those ignorant gits who go out into the countryside (presumably to enjoy it?) and then encourage their dogs/kids to run amok with no thought for the potential damage that they're causing.
    Good on you for confronting him, I don't think that I would have the bottle! Perhaps now he's barred he'll be more considerate to the wildlife?

    That Oysterplant is a little beauty..well done to Jim for looking after it.
    The Orchid is, I think , the same as in yesterdays post.

    Good luck with the Shrike, I'm looking forward to seeing some stunning images of it?

    Have fun with your colouring in...it's sunny, 15° and rising here (8.15am) just off out looking for some butterflies to photograph!!...[;o)



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    1. Trevor, I suspect he is just thick. I treat anyone with a beer belly and a football shirt with disdain. I couldn't tell you what team he played for but the money footballers get I would have thought they could afford going out clothes.
      The orchid could be the same there are lots more appearing now.

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  3. Well done for standing up to the idiot with the dog. Some of the ground nesting birds may have done with their first brood but they could be starting their second brood. Skylarks nests are so small and hidden that the numerous wouldn't see his dog treading on the nest.
    Shrike like bees they often cache them on thorns etc I too hope the bird is still around.
    I too can see the rock had slipped...did they?

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    1. Autocorrelation ducks numerous was meant to be numpty

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    2. Douglas, I didn't really stand up to him as just tell him.
      I don't know what a Shrike, if a Shrike it is is doing up here. It's not been stormy.

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  4. It never ceases to amaze me just how stupid, and hostile for that matter, people can be when faced with common sense. Either he fully understood what he was doing, in which case he is just plain stupid, or he didn't understand fully, and should have thanked you for letting him know. I'm glad he got banned from the area, but imagine it will be hard to enforce. Nice one Adrian.

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    1. He is renting a holiday house so hopefully will not be here long.

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  5. Oh, well done, Adrian. Several years, my very well-spoken daughter turned to some consistent chatterers in the cinema and asked them to "shut the fuck up". She didn't hear another sound. I think she surprised herself more then them, but there wasn't another sound.

    Lovely photos, and I love the "frolicking waves".

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    1. Frances, I'm afraid that bad language is something that just slips out with me, I try not to use it in the butchers or Spar.

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  6. I admire your courage in challenging spaniel man. I wish that I had the optimism to think that he might change. People that inconsiderate rarely even recognise that they are being inconsiderate (and worse).

    The oyster plant is a real find and your enthusiasm infectious.

    Seeing a Shrike is a whole new world though. I didn't even know they live that far north. They are, I think, committed carnivores (although they may be omnivores for all I know). The reason I say that is because when I was young I had their 'larders' pinnated out to me. They catch insects and skewer them onto barbed wire or hawthorne needles for eating later. For all that I have never seen one to identify it as a Shrike...ever! If I was an envious person then I would be, well, very envious.

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    1. Graham, it is not courage but indignation.
      The Oyster Plant is a wonderful find.
      I have not seen it since but a chap on the site thought he saw it and didn't know what it was. I'm beginning to think I dreamt it.

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  7. Lovely post ,and fotos,have a nice day.

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  8. Heel goed gedaan,sommige mensen letten echt nergens op.

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  9. Hi Adrian!
    All really beautiful pics! You have very nice weather too!

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    1. Laura, it was a nice evening but the weather is very dull. I want some good light.

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  10. why cant people just accept that they have done wrong and not get all assey when told. Good for you.

    peter

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    1. Peter, I suspect he didn't realise what he was doing was wrong. He does now.

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  11. I looked up Mertensia maritima and found it can also be referred to as Sea Bluebells, which is a delightful name for a delightful plant. What a beauty!

    An interesting post from f...wits to prawns!

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    1. Glo, it is an unusual and beautiful plant. I'm glad I caught it flowering.

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  12. Well done for confronting twat man.
    Makes me wonder just how much destruction he has caused in the past.
    Oysterplant is a beauty; and well done the man in charge for his preservation efforts.

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    1. Keith, it's a privilege to be able to walk where I like and it's one that should not be taken for granted or abused.
      Keith I seem to recall there being an Oyster plant in Wales but I can't remember where. It will be by the sea on stones if that is any help.

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  13. You are having some good plant hunting sessions.

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    1. John, yes lot's of different things up here. There is a rare primrose as well but I forget what it's called. I do have a picture on file so I know roughly what I'm looking for.

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  14. Hi Adrian No messing with you then!! well done for saying to him. You shots are all great. I have a bat and a wall very like your one today only mine, of course is on Tory Island. Have a good weekend.

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    1. Margaret, it is usually me on the receiving end. I enjoy dishing it out from time to time.
      I did have a quick look at your post this morning but it timed out. I'll have another look tonight.

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  15. El mar estaba algo revuelto, en una semana lo vemos en Gijón ;))) Esas gambas a la plancha con sal están deliciosas;))
    Un abrazo.

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  16. Laura, tienes unas buenas vacaciones. Comer unas gambas.

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  17. Obviously I was wrong to think that the people in that corner of the UK were more respectful & knowledgeable towards nature.

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    1. Jay, generally they are. There is often one though.

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