Pam's 80th Birthday. Who'd believe it? So many cards and kind thoughts from many people. Pam was quite overwhelmed.
After a cereal and bacon and egg breakfast, we looked for a paper shop, Saturday's Telegraph is my favourite newspaper. I heard a motorbike noise coming from somewhere. Twice. I couldn't see one anywhere. Several hours later I discovered that it was a call from Jen ! The phone signal around here is iffy and patchy. When did I assign that noise to Jen's phone, must have been when I got my phone, six or seven years ago.
Turning off for Nethy Bridge, Pam spotted a newly born calf being licked by its mother, nosy youngsters in close attendance. Looks like a bull calf.
Dorback was first call. No chance of Black Grouse to-day, shotgun carrying hunting groups were spread about the area.
We'd noticed a ' Watch out for Red Squirrels crossing' notice on the way up. Indeed, a squirrel crossed the road ahead of us. On the return journey, I reminded Pam to slow down. She then noticed that there were several feeders hanging in roadside trees, hence the squirrel presence. An ever present flurry of Coal Tits with the occasional Blue and Great Tit and Chaffinch and......a Red Squirrel feeding on a tree further away.
We stayed for ages as the road was traffic free. I tried to photo one bounding along the road towards us. They look bandy and less than graceful movers on the ground. A dirty windscreen was not a good start and I produced some terrible photos of a cute squirrel standing upright facing me, showing its white tummy. Another day.....
An opportunistic Sparrowhawk sped through, they soon learn where the feeders are.
No Crested Tits yet, maybe Loch Garten car park was worth a go, despite the mild weather, still well into double figures, despite a cooler day. When we drove in, we found the inevitable photographers standing very closely to the feeders, talking loudly. After a while it became obvious that the Coal Tit blizzard didn't give a toss. They were landing on the hands refilling the feeders and a phone wielding woman virtually touching them whilst they fed. A young man unhooked a feeder and took it away. Pam replaced it with ours. The Tits were landing on the feeder whilst she was filling it at the back of the car. Some photographs.
One Crested Tit called as it came in, staying a very short while unfortunately. We loved the experience.
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| On my hand stuck out of the car wndow, a selfie ! |
One hot drink later, we drove to the Cairngorm summit car park - in rain and thick mist. We didn't stay long.
The drive to Uath Lochan had been recommended for Autumn colour, were there enough leaves left? Just about, fast disappearing into the gutters. Hurricane due on Monday.
Time to go back for chocolate birthday cake, very nice too.
Despite demolishing a bottle of Champagne between us at dinner, I've managed this Blog without too much of a problem. Hope it makes sense.
Best meal yet this evening. We both had melon, Pam had venison, I had slow roast belly of pork.
A very noisy group at dinner. Mike Dilger was due to-day, probably his lot getting to know each other.
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