A Walk with Geese

The days are stretching--the light lingers, the sun has more energy, and the whins pop out with their brassiest yellow. I love the boisterous contrast of the blue sky and golden whins.

But the best part of whins (gorse) is the smell. Chardonnay -sun tan oil. The coconut-y smell conjures images of Coppertone and warm pool side days.

The walk up the hill was especially welcome after hectic days and quirky weather. Cool air but still, which means so much up here when the wind can whip the warmth away from you no matter how you bundle up.

As I trundled up the hill toward Loch Heilan I heard geese. At first I thought it was coming from the Loch, but I quickly realized they were above me. Several ribbons of them threaded their way across the blue sky. The symmetry and grace held me transfixed for too long, so I only grabbed my camera after several had spooled away. This is the best shot, but just as the best part of gorse is the smell, I think the best part of the geese skein is hearing it and watching the geometry of the birds in flight.

A Good Growing Day

A good growing day
the first green grace in the fields
kindly clouds above

Spindle legged lambkins
propeller-tailed calves suckling
a moment between weathers

April Fool's!

Snow in April is not unheard of, but it is rare and coming on the heels of the super warm weather it is especially startling.

The first of the new lambs are in the fields and I can't help but wonder what they make of this. If they stay snuggled up to mum, they'll be fine. Most of Caithness is "at the lambing" or "the calving", or both. It is a place and a time and a celebration and a worry all rolled into one.