April randomness

Well April has been rather random!!  Adjusting to a new style of living for all of us. But life goes on and the landscape, birds and animals on the island bring me solace and calm.  So here are a few photos....

There have been beautiful (though sometimes still chilly) days these last couple of weeks.  Blue sky, blue and turquoise sea like that above.  And then beautiful skies at night....

And the Hoy light aglow.....

And the garden is coming alive again.  Our growing season is probably about 6 weeks behind that of the South of England....

The daffodils are well past, but other Spring bulbs are in flower....

And my first sighting of a carder bee (ginger bees!) on the lungwort....

These beautiful miniature tulips are growing in the garden but this one got a bit battered when I was weeding so I brought it in to bring me joy....  It is a stunning little flower....

And these anemones are a delight, and love the sunshine....

And a mud pie..... ahem.... well I heard on the radio that because it is so dry at the moment that the returning swallows are struggling to find mud to build their nests.  So it was suggested to go out and make mud pies.  I have NO idea if any self respecting swallow will use this mud, but I had fun making it!  And something has been poking about in it today - probably a hen.....

And speaking of hens, you are never alone outside when you have hens and cats....

And if I'm taking too long to go outdoors there is often a reminder.....

The hens do love a good rootle around the grass though....

Meanwhile Button loves to sunbathe... oooh look at that fluffy tummy.... but however tempting it is to tickle it, I value my hands too much to even try. Learned that a looong time ago!  And yes those are dandelions.  I leave them for the bees, then pick the flowers before too many go to seed.  Though the linnets seem to love the seeds...

I think Button is giving the girls a lecture about social distancing!!

These ewes escaped from the byres today.  They are in lamb so I didn't want to startle them, but made sure they didn't go into my garden and nibble on the plants. The farmer came quickly and they were gently shepherded back to the byre.  They probably just fancied and girls afternoon out before maternal duties!

And Charlie, the barn cat, always finds a sunny spot to soak up the rays...

As does Madam Button.  Here I am telling her to get off the table (which she isn't supposed to be on!) and she's telling me to get off her case!!

The "main road" on the island!

And nope, this isn't a bottle of gin!  It's hand sanitiser - made by one of the local gin distilleries which, like many in the UK, have diversified in these tough times to make 80%+ alcohol hand sanitiser!  And very welcome it is too...

And to finish a very short video of birdsong, including a Song Thrush.....

So hope you enjoyed some randomness.  Stay safe and well!