best part of the day: unexpected treasures on the Cammo side

As we were preparing to go the usual run down Gullane way, Mary proposed a change. Oh oh! Since the weather was at best overcast, and the sun not on the menu today, why don't we just drive to Cramond and run up the Almond and into Dalmeny; turning about 3 miles, returning for 6 miles. That makes sense. We had stuff to do after and Hibs have a big home game about 5, parking is going to be hell if we can't get back before about 4. Let's do it.

we were both drawn to the artwork on this sign at Cramond
although I do wonder who hasn't noticed the font Papyrus is the stuff of ridicule

Since there was no chance of butterflies today I was more relaxed and not anticipating very much at all. With rain forecast for about 3pm I wondered if I should even bother taking the good camera. I'm glad I did as there turned out to be quite a few treats today, all the better for being unexpected. Mary regretted opting for her smaller camera although it did a reasonable job of about half the photos she took.

lots of dippers on the Almond,
although not much light to help capture them

There were a couple of signs flagging up this community woodland next to the river. Mary wondered if we would see volunteers in shackles doing some reluctant community digging. We didn't. There were helpful and attractive signs identifying the local plants, shrubs and trees. It wasn't particularly burgeoning currently but should be nicer in the Summer.

Despite the dog walkers and their mutts, there was a near continual chorus of birdsong following us around today. I presume all the birds (dressed up in their finest) are divvying up territory and shouting out about what a catch they are. Much like Leith at the weekends around midnight. Except pleasant to hear. Not always easy to spot the culprits though.

At the small ponies field we stopped to take photos of the exotic poultry. Really very dazzling and even more photogenic than the ponies which usually steal the show here. Last time I was taking pics of the birds near there a couple asked had I seen the white blackbird? I could see them hedging around the word albino in case that word had made it onto the continually growing list of unmentionable words we are no longer allowed to use because they might refer to a minority in a way somebody could misinterpret as derogatory. No I hadn't seen the white (except for the head) blackbird. And we got so distracted by the chickens today, we forgot to look. Also Mary in another break from tradition suggested we try the other side of the river. The Cammo side. If she continues to pursue the new over the traditional I'll know she has been replaced by an alien. However, although reluctant at first, (because it wasn't my idea!), I went with it and it turned out brilliantly.

The path goes up the riverside to start with then insists you go out to the main Cammo Road. From here (after larking about with those convex traffic mirrors,) we crossed over to have a quick scoot round Cammo Estate. Another popular place with the dog walkers. A mixed bunch; some returning our hellos, others a bit standoffish.

had to fight off the kingfishers

Within minutes we heard the machine gun fire of a woodpecker and it seemed to come from the tree right beside us. We walked quietly underneath it and Mary recalled one we saw in Saltoun Wood flew right to the top of a tree there. We walked to where we could get a view of the top and sure enough there it was. (In middle of photo above.) I was really surprised as more than 9 times out of ten you hear the rattle but can't even identify the tree. It didn't hang about long and flew a football pitch away to another tree. What a welcome! We reckoned we were being shown the red carpet as it was our first visit. We were taking pics of catkins (Mary's sister is a dab hand at painting them,) when Mary told me, in a hushed voice, to look directly ahead.

initially distant robin

There was robin sat quite a few yards away watching us. It was under the branches of a tree and there was not really enough light, but we both stood still and took some photos. Slightly incredibly it then flew directly over to us, as if to pose, helpfully, in branches maybe 3 feet away. I had to pull in the zoom on my camera, and even then it was nearly too close and the first half dozen photos I rattled off in a disbelieving panic were all badly out of focus. The robin gave us plenty of time and hopped happily around us ludicrously closely. My guess is someone has been feeding this little bird. For once I hadn't packed any bread or seeds for the birds and this one will have to wait for our next visit for it's reward. In that couple of nearly magical minutes I felt I had more than made up for the lack of interaction with butterflies earlier in the week, and we continued running round the park perimeter, really stoked. I was pleased the photos came out reasonably (even in the flat light) as the robin was, at times, virtually perched at the end of my outstretched arms.

photo Mary

Cammo Tower

splendid tree

We ran round the whole estate coming back to the Almond at the Grotto Bridge which we crossed and returned to Cramond Brig on the normal (West) side. By this time Mary was heading towards the cafe I had somehow deprived her of earlier, and I had very little time to take a few snaps of several dippers down the Almond.