Crinan Canal

Greater Butterfly Orchid

We left the car at Bellanoch Bridge and took the local bus back to Lochgilphead so that we could walk back along by the loch. The bus was empty - the driver said that he rarely had any passengers. A really nice walk, flat of course, with lots of flowers, a good variety because the silt from canal was thrown onto the banks creating a fertile habitat.

Saw this lovely great butterfly orchid and got some great photos of a golden ringed dragonfly.




Golden-ringed Dragonfly

Attadale Gardens

Flower
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Driving home on a gorgeous day (not what the weather forecast predicted!) Stopped to visit Attadale Gardens by Loch Carron. These are lovely gardens and well worth visiting.

This flower is a Turks Cap Lily, thanks to coveman on flickr who identified it for me.

Loch a'Mhuilinn National Nature Reserve

Dog Rose bud
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

This is a fantastic wee nature reserve in the north west of Scotland. Another windy day but the reserve was well worth the trip. Lots of flowers and birds, sea views and inland lochs.

Knockan Crag

Knockan Crag is a nature trail with a focus on geology. This was quite a windy day but there were good views.

Around Ben Stack

A walk around Ben Stack with no lunch! This was a lovely walk although there was cloud on the hills. Very boggy in the middle, but with lots of sundew. Left my lunch in the car. The geology of this area is very interesting.

Winding River Laxford
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Balnakeil Bay, Durness

Balnakeil Bay, Durness
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

A pretty driech day. Walked out from Balnakeil to Faraid Head. Couldn't find any Scots Primrose but did get a (distant) view of some puffins.

Ardkinglas

Ardkinglas
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Ardkinglas is my favourite woodland, lots of fantastic trees, exotic plants and wildflowers.
http://www.ardkinglas.com

Sunset on Skye

Sunset on Skye
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

I love beautiful light, as in this photograph. Luckily Scotland has lots of it!

Greater Stitchwort

Greater Stitchwort
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Lots of these around the Quarry walk in Luss. The weather forecast was for rain later so I headed off up Loch Lomond early. Had a lovely walk with lots of wild flowers around to have their photo taken. Took a photograph for some tourists. Stopped for a coffee in the Coach House coffee shop, got back in to the car and the rain started. Still raining so I really should sort out my paperwork and stop playing with Flickr!

Common cow-wheat

Took a walk through the oakwoods at the David Marshall Lodge at Aberfoyle. Lots of bluebells and this flower which I've seen before but have never identified.

Common cow-wheat
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.