summertime blues

Mixed weather at Gullane today. And mixed company too. The travelling people had brought van loads of delights to Gullane Green with most of the entertainments designed to make your stomach flip. I expect they had timed that to coincide with the triathlon taking place on the beach and round the environs. Well done to all who took part. (We were oblivious to it until we turned up and found it had already come and gone.) Spoke to the legendary Scott B who was helping organise. 

this is like a list of all the foods you should avoid

There were some big grey clouds passing in front of the sun but most of them passed without shaking hands. Down the JMW through the golf course and there were some blues and browns and maybe a young wagtail who sat on the path until we got way too close then flew 50m along the path and did the same thing. I suspect like the heron from last blog it was just finding its feet and working out its surroundings.

quick visit to the facilities at Aberlady - rather beautiful window

Then over the bridge and more Blues. This one was most obliging and right at the side of the path. While Mary ran on I took a load of close ups. I think the stiff breeze is so challenging for the insects that they are too busy holding on to the swaying foliage to notice the camera moving in close. The decent sunlight meant the camera caught every wrinkle and even the tiny stitching on the end of the antennae. 

As I said a couple of blogs ago I don't really bother a lot with the Whites, but there wasn't so much happening around Toad Corner today so you just make hay with whatever shows up. (Where have all the deer gone - I'm guessing they're either rearing their young in less exposed venues or like everyone else, are abroad on their holidays.) I spotted a large frog or toad but it was deep into the long grasses before I could catch it and then I was worried I'd stand on it, so I moved to another area. A few blues (and Meadow browns) were about, and whites and one or 2 Small Heaths but also an end of season feeling too. (What will I do then?)

Small Heath in colourful setting

By the time we headed to the beach there was some bad weather troubling the Pentlands and given the west wind we knew it would be troubling us soon too. We sprinted along the beach but got caught at the far end. I was glad I had carried a poly bag for the camera as we got a good drenching. The light was doing interesting things and I was surprised there wasn't a large rainbow as the sun emerged right behind the heavy rain.

We left the beach at the small path leading up to the car park and toilets on the west of the bay. I said to M to keep her eyes peeled as there is often wildlife just there. Sure enough a dead one of these, almost exactly the same place as the deceased water shrew. Although a different species. Must be getting struck by lightning or something as otherwise unharmed.