Sunday 15 December 2013

Settling in

Settling in... to some spectacular wildlife.

Yesterday morning, after a tip off on Radio Orkney's Facebook page, we travelled across to Mainland and up the coast to Evie. Sadly, a dead Sperm Whale had been washed up on the shore. But the carcase had attracted a very special visitor.

A dead Sperm Whale, washed up on the coast at Evie
This was an Ivory Gull. A species which, we were informed, has not been seen in Orkney since 1949. Unfortunately, though we managed to find it roosting in the littoral zone, we did not see it feeding on the whale.

Ivory Gull
Settling in... to the local area around the cottage.

This morning, Our Lass and I had a pleasant wander around the western part of Burray. The low Winter sun was shining, and the wind was blowing a gale, but at least it wasn't raining.

View across Hunda and Scapa Flow towards Orphir (R) and Hoy (L)

Burray village and harbour, with Churchill Barrier number 4 in the background

Settling in... to Christmas at the cottage.


4 comments:

holdingmoments said...

Sad sight seeing that whale like that.
Good to see you're settling in OK.
Does the fat bloke in red go up that far north?

Phil said...

No that's what I call class - first wildlife post from your new home and it's a whale.

Imperfect and Tense said...

I guess it's the cycle of life, Keith.
'Fat bloke in red'? You know about my pyjamas!?

Imperfect and Tense said...

Lol, Phil. I'm only sorry I couldn't find a live one.
But if you think that's good just wait until you see the habitat in the bathroom!