Pied Woodpecker

The beautiful and inspiring Pied Woodpecker also known as the 'Spotted', for some reason.

A very shy bird and a joy to see at any time but rare to catch sight of it on the ground.

More information about woodpeckers at the RSPB website 

A little poem on St Andrew's Day

A small poem from Scotland's national bard Rabbie Burns - Epistle to J Lapraik, an Old Scottish Bard.

I am nae poet, in a sense;
But just a rhymer like by chance,
An’ hae to learning nae pretence;
Yet, what the matter?
Whene’er my muse does on me glance,
I jingle at her.
…….
Gie me ae spark o’ nature’s fire,
That’s a’ the learning I desire;
Then tho’ I drudge thro’ dub an’ mire
At pleugh or cart,
My muse, tho’ hamely in attire,
May touch the heart.
~~~
If you’re not familiar with the auld Scot's words, here’s a wee bit of help.

This isn’t a translation as such but an explanation of some of the words, and an attempt at a plainer version to help you read it:
nae = no
hae = have
whene’er = whenever
gie = give
ae = one, a single
o’ = of
a’ = all
dub = puddle
hamely = homely

I am no poet, in a sense
But just a rhymer almost by chance
And I have no pretence to learning
Yet, what does that matter?
Whenever my muse glances at me
I jingle at her

Give me one spark of nature’s fire
That’s all the learning I desire
Then though I trudge through mud and puddles
At the plough or cart
My muse, though dressed in a homely, old fashioned style,
May touch the heart.
~~~

Enjoy St Andrew’s Day!

A Black labrador in the snow

Do labradors like the snnow? I think we can safely say, Yes!

A winter woodland scene

Edinburgh: A Snow Scene

A Scottish Snow Scene

First Snow in Scottish Highlands

Lest we forget: The War Memorial, Inverary

The First Winter Robin

A Kestrel Quietly cruising

A White Tailed Sea Eagle

Glencoe lochan: Lord Strathcona

Autumn trees reflected in Glencoe Lochan, Glencoe, Scotland.

The trees were planted by absentee landlord, Sir Donald Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal

He had the trees planted in 1895 as a gesture for his Canadian wife Isabella, a native North American Indian, so that she would feel at home and not be homesick for her Pacific West Coast homeland

Glen Clova from Ben Tirran

Glen Clova and surrounding hills covered in early snows

Red Squirrel at rural garden feeder

A Sketch of Edinburgh - David Galletly

David Galletly

Sketch of Glasgow - David Galletly

David Galletly