Autumn Newburgh North Fife

Autumn Newburgh North Fife. A very wet one...so much rain, evidenced by the standing water here, the roads are awash. Wonderful colours from the leaf fall shed by cherry trees by the Abbey garage.

Cock Pheasants sparing for dominance (as they do) on the road beside my house one of which now spends its time with the ducks in my garden and is becoming quite tame. Such is their testosterone imperative, many fall victim to traffic, oblivious to me when I took this picture.

Castor oil plant North Fife

False Castor Oil Plant (Japanese Aralia, Aralia)

Castor oil plant at The Steeple Arts courtyard Newburgh, just starting to flower from the profusion of buds atop the 5ft high growth.

                               

Tayview 6th October 2014

Looking East towards Dundee from the road by Balinbreich, I was struck by the clear line of the dew point bottom of the cloud and remarkably a similar colour to the fields below

Tayview 4th October 2014

Tayview 4th October 2014, North Fife. Glorious colours.

The Hermitage Perthshire

Glen Sma Perthshire, heather covered hillsides, in the gullies and aside of the scree  blue berries thrive. On the road very few vehicles pass by either way... magical to be in such a natural and quiet space.

This wee wander was on the way to The Hermitage.

The Hermitage sits astride the river Braan at a spectacular waterfall, at the rear a vantage point gives a wonderful view where salmon and sea trout struggle against the falling water at (the Black Linn Falls) to swim to mating and spawning waters upstream.

Once part of one of the most important 18th century picturesque landscapes in Scotland, an attractive woodland walk leads though spectacularly large Douglas firs (including one of the tallest trees in the country) to the amazing folly, Ossian’s Hall overlooking the Black Linn waterfall.
Follow in the footsteps of notable visitors of the past including Wordsworth, Queen Victoria, Mendelssohn and Turner as you wander around this magnificent designed landscape with it’s dramatic natural features.
Ossian Hall was refurbished in 2007 with sliding panels, secret handle and mirrored artwork to recreate the illusions of shock, surprise and amazement, the aims of its original design.
Enjoy the wildlife as you walk along the river Braan, with the dark foaming pool and the spectacular Black Linn waterfall. Let your imagination run wild as you admire the Totem pole, carved from a Douglas Fir tree by a native Canadian from the Squamish Nation. Extend your walk by linking in to one of the trails of the Dunkeld walks network.

Down by the river Braan

Such richness, well worth a visit and it's free apart from a wee parking charge. Such are our times.

Tayview Sept 25th 2014

Near high water today 25th September. I've taken this view hundreds of times, always different of course, the changing nature of light, water level and of the fields. Harvest is largely over, ploughing and sowing is in full swing advantaged by the clement weather. Today had a brisk westerly wind drying the remaining crops, noticed was a field of oilseed rape being combined, only potatoes and root vegetables remain.

Land Rover North Fife

Land Rover North Fife, 36 years old, languishing but about to be liberated, restored and put into good road worthiness. In spite of lying dormant for years it is in remarkably good condition.

Referendum View North Fife

Referendum View North Fife. A dreich overcast day reflecting the mood of 1.6 million voters in the Scottish referendum. Soon, lets hope the sun will shine.

Scottish Referendum voting Newburgh North Fife

People in Newburgh North Fife were out in force casting their all important votes today, by lunchtime 45% had done so. Of the few I spoke to, one was a don't know due to being confused by the spin and debate and decided not to vote at all. Others fell into both camps about 50 - 50 which if it reflects the final outcome, half of us will be disappointed, half jubilant. Acceptance will be the order of the day.

 All very divisive, even one of my daughters has fallen out with her long term boyfriend over the issue.

A dreich day that never the less enriches the colours in the local fields. Us too are being enriched by being mindfully involved in such an important transformation. I'm now off myself to submit my choice.
Just back....the turn out at 7-45pm was 87%, amazing, the polling booths are open till 10-00pm. It will be higher.

Scottish Referendum North Fife

Tonight I for one and many millions know that to vote YES is the best thing since sliced bread in the referendum.What a chance to be free of the vested punitive interested status quo, a sense of oppression, historic and present under  Westminster rule. Who in their right mind would vote for more of the same. An opportunity for grass roots politics to organically emerge and grow into a new order of equality, fairness, shared prosperity, openness, to be fulfilled and happy.

Straw bales with something to say, a tremendous energy abounds just about everywhere, in the villages, towns, cities, the islands, highlands & lowlands. There are signs/flags in fields, gardens, hanging out of windows, all over. A momentous time that is already shaking things up.A new order which ever way the vote goes. A catalyst for change for the better all over the UK or K. Ken?
Friday, we will all know.

Sunflower North Fife

Sunflowers are one of my favourites, late flowering, are a rich source of nectar for insects, provide oil and seed for human consumption. I have fond memories of seeing fields in France, countless hectares of them, like being in floral heaven.

Here visited by a hover fly.

In the few minutes of taking these shots bumble bees were present too. Earlier blooms are now fully developed, the seeds of which provide us with additions to breads and salads. Easier to go to the supermarket for the oil.

Tayview September 11th

A hazy Tayview day, the sun never did burn it off completely.

The Moon North Fife

Almost full moon lurking behind the cloud on the 8th September.

An explosion of light in the encircling gloom.

Passing cloud, ever changing but to me more than anything illustrates the serious limitations of my digital camera. I know that film would have been much better, such is change.

Tayview 5th September North Fife

Tayview 5th September North Fife,  Changeable weather as Atlantic low pressures drift by, low cloud with accompanied humidity, still warmish though.

Tayview August 31st

Tayview August 31st at midday.

 Six hours later at higher water.

Studio 222 Newburgh North Fife

Studio 222 Newburgh North Fife. Sarah Honeyman and Catriona Wallbutton, jointly cut the celebratory cake, 3 years have passed and joyfully offering a wide range of arts and crafts, also various courses....see their face book site.

Pure happiness exudes, the cake was good too.

Last Year

Ceres North Fife

The provost, Ceres North Fife, seated in the heart of the village at a road junction, nearby the village green, home of the oldest Scottish games. nearby too is the Folk Museum and Eatery.

 

Isle of Mull Inner Hebrides

Oban bound from Mull. The Isle of Mull — or simply Mull — is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. A wonderful place as are all of the Scottish Islands. All are surrounded by clear crystal waters...full of abundant life.

Jelly fish, Holy Isle of Aran. Between are several fish farms producing Salmon.

On land heather flourishes.

And all amongst the blooming heather. Will ye ....

Drystone wall Mull, or more correctly a wet stone wall given the normal weather.

If you're lucky you just might be serenaded by Yvonne Macleod an inspirational accordion player, much loved.

Himalayan Balsam North Fife

Himalayan Balsam North Fife. This stand has now been cleared as the riverside to the West of Newburgh has been cleared being part of Fife Coastal Path. Regarded as an invasive weed, it still has attractive qualities.

Tayview 17th & 18th August.

Tayview 17th & 18th August.

Oilseed Rape Harvesting North Fife

Oilseed Rape Harvesting North Fife. I was alerted this morning by the grumble of a combine harvester, from my garden the combine drifted along, beyond The River Tay at low water exposing various sand banks.

I'm impressed by the sophistication of modern combine harvesters, here displaying the tilting table and undercarriage, keeps the operator level headed. lol.
This machine looks brand new... a massive investment.

Notice the reel on an opposite tack to suit the terrain and shredded debris issuing from the rear. Clever stuff.

Potato Harvest treatment North Fife

Pre Harvest Potato treatment. burning off the foliage with sulphuric acid. Once the potatoes have flowered they can be harvested. Spraying kills off any blight and further growth, after a week or so the leaves and stems are shrivelled up and are no obstacle to efficient harvesting of the tubers by machine. Gone are the days when potatoes were picked by hand...a multitude of sore backs saved but income from employment now channelled to a few....contractors and land owners. This is acid rain big style, it can be balanced by an input of lime later. Imagine though the soil organisms having to flourish in such hostile conditions, truth is, they don't. Much farmland is now a dead growing medium requiring constant adjustment with chemical inputs. Next time you see a molehill, say, be happy because they live on worms which consume organic waste converting it into a balanced fertiliser. No chemicals needed, respect for all that lives ultimately will save us all.

The same Field earlier