A tranquil lake under a clear blue sky, bordered by trees and low shrubbery

Ardinning this afternoon. Very sunny & bright. A few butterflies, mostly peacocks & some orange tips. A couple of peacocks spiralled up high. Cuckoos calling. At the bench beside the loch we heard a big splash. Looking round through the bushes we saw an osprey come out of the water & fly off.

Took the short walk to Greenside reservoir this morning. Lots of spring happening,  bird song, especially chiffchaff & willow warbler. Heard blackcaps (confirmed with merlin) and finally saw some. A cuckoo calling, the first this year. A few butterflies around including one small tortoiseshell.

Grid 3x3 Montage of 8 photos round a central map. From Top left: 3 little egrets, opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage, Lesser celandine. gorse, map, bare tree against the horizon, primrose flowers, lithen among moss, A scots pine tree,

An afternoon walk round the Kilpatrick braes yesterday. Warm and sunny, occasionally clouding over.Egrets, Opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage, lesser celandine, the first primroses of 2026. 5 ravens flew low and fast overhead two pairs twisting together wings loud. A few stonechats on the Muir.