Loch Ness Blog: July 2007

Deer deli

Sitting happily at my sewing machine in the lounge this morning lost in creative thoughts when I suddenly felt something watching me. I glanced out of the patio doors and saw the mother deer a few feet away and busily munching on the wild flowers growing by the large pile of birch logs waiting to be chopped up for winter fires. Waited a while and sure enough along trotted the baby which is growing rapidly. They ate very contentedly

together, often staring at a passing boat cruising along Loch Ness close to the shore and disturbing their peace. They then wandered off up into the forest for a spot of shade and then possibly up to Aspenwood. Guests staying in the cottage were pleased to see them both appear around the grounds at breakfast time. They also saw and heard the owl nearby. Good sunny weather today.....downhill to summer maybe ....you never know !!

Breakfast in the garden

Woke up to a fine bright dry day so took advantage and took the morning cup of tea outside to sit on the bench overlooking Loch Ness for a quiet few minutes. The peace was soon shattered by the cracking of bracken and suddenly two well known heads-mother and baby deer-appeared to see who else was in 'their' garden.

They munched happily for a long while giving me the odd glance every now and again.
The bird table and feeders were busy for the breakfast rush and it was pleasing to see the Great spotted woodpecker enjoying his feed. Breakfast was enjoyed by everyone in the garden today.

'Friday Girl'

Had a week of mainly overcast cloudy weather with sporadic rain showers and the feeeling that it could - and should - be warmer for July. On Tuesday evening we witnessed a beautiful sunset which cheered us up and gave us hope for the next day. A few more boats have been taking advantage of the waters of Loch Ness and today the red and white sails of the aptly named 'Friday Girl' drifted past the window.

Stag party

Guests staying in our cottage last week saw this large herd of stags close to Loch Tarff just near the road which links Inverness and Fort Augustus. It is quite unusual to see so many stags together although the hinds are now elsewhere looking after their offspring.

Baby bird life

Had more juvenile robins about than any other year. Their speckled coats will soon begin to gradually turn red in to an adult male or female robin - both are the same colour. Robins are often said to be quite aggresive but it is possibly because they can't tell if it is a male or female approaching them. Soon we'll have alot more bright robin redbreasts to light up Farigaig Forest.

The bird bath is very popular and the young love splashing about. This blue tit seems to be curious about the coin at the bottom of the bath - we read that a copper coin in a bird bath stops the green algae appearing in the water and it seems to be working.

Found a wren's nest with 3 eggs in it so will keep a watchful eye for the young to appear.

Sunset

Late yesterday evening we had a spectacular sunset. The water of Loch Ness turned pink, then red with the reflection of the clouds and it was awesome just to sit and watch as the colours deepened. On a fair day here in the Highlands of Scotland it does not get dark until 11 o'clock at night and the sun rises at about 3 a.m. Today has been a mixture of sunshine and showers and we look forward to the next sunset lighting up Loch Ness.