15th May – hail storms and rainbows

Yesterday we had some pretty mixed weather – sunshine one minute, rain (or hail) the next.  April showers, in fact – but we’re well into May, and the seasons don’t seem to have realised it at all!   The temperature was hovering around six degrees yesterday, and if you went outside you didn’t hang around.   Purdey certainly didn’t!

Here are some photos of a stunning rainbow which lit up our garden while it was still raining.   In the second photo you can see a secondary bow on the outside – colours reversed – and smaller, inner bows (called supernumeraries) on the inside.

The science of geometric optics is unable to explain the formation of supernumeraries.   More information about these and secondary bows at www.atoptics.co.uk.Photos copyright © Colin Woolf

1st May – redpolls

Just recently we’ve had some very welcome guests in our garden:  redpolls.  These dainty little birds are quite uncommon (or at least, we’ve rarely seen them before) and we were delighted when just one individual ventured down from the conifers to feed on the seeds.

Today we counted eight redpolls, both male and female, and they made a very colourful display alongside the bright siskins and goldfinches.

According to the BTO, the Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis cabaret) is now ‘a bird of high conservation concern’.   They like birch and alder woodland, where they breed, but in the south of the country their habitat has been dwindling.   In recent years, increasing numbers of Lesser Redpolls have been tempted into gardens, especially if nyjer seed is offered.  I’ve noticed the nyjer seed going down!

Male redpoll

Female redpoll, with goldfinches

Female

Female, with siskin just out of sight

Male redpoll with goldfinch below, siskin above

Female redpolls with siskin

Photos copyright © Colin Woolf

28th April – sun halo

At about 7.30 yesterday evening I was walking around the back garden and happened to glance towards the sun.   I was astonished to see this sun halo.   It was more distinct than any I’ve seen before, and the inside of it was noticeably darker than the surrounding sky.

Scientists call this a 22 degree sun halo, and it’s caused by light being refracted by hexagonal ice crystals high in the atmosphere.   I think the effect was more pronounced because of the very thin high cloud that was beginning to veil the sun.  There was no sign of sun dogs or other arcs, which often tend to accompany a sun halo.

You can read more about this phenomenon on the excellent website called Atmospheric Optics.

27th April – the Quiraing and the Storr

When it comes to land formations, Skye is without doubt the most spectacular island I’ve ever visited:  the Cuillins, the sheer cliffs, the uncompromising magic of the endless moorland and wild coastline.  But two geological sites raise Skye from the remarkable to the surreal, and these are called the Quiraing and the Storr.

The Quiraing. Don’t take a caravan on this road!

The Quiraing is situated in the north, almost at the end of the Trotternish peninsula;  if you approach it from the minor road that winds over the moorland from Uig, you come upon it almost by surprise, and it takes your breath away.   People have described it as other-worldly, supernatural, awesome.  It is all of those!

A geologist will tell you that the Quiraing is the largest example of a landslip in Britain – albeit a very ancient one.  Some of the land around it is still moving, which must create a few headaches for the local road builders.   The whole area consists of lava flows on top of sedimentary rock;   climbers have named some elements ‘The Needle’, ‘The Table’ and ‘The Prison’ (the last feature apparently looks like a castle keep from some angles).

The Quiraing, with the coastline just visible in the distance

Bioda Buidhe (just to the south)

Beinn Edra

Trotternish ridge, with the Storr out of sight to the left

Moving a bit further south towards Portree, you’ll come across the Storr, another looming mass of rock, in front of which stands the solitary pillar known as The Old Man of Storr.

The Storr can be both mysterious and menacing, especially when it is partly veiled in low cloud.  Apparently, scenes from the film ‘Prometheus’ were filmed here;  I’m guessing they didn’t need to do much PhotoShopping.   And yes, some people have scaled the pinnacle:  one report, from an experienced climber, admitted that it was ‘not for the faint hearted’.  But the Storr is a rich source of rare minerals in crystal form, and you know how much I love crystals.  Shall I take up rock climbing?

The Storr

All photos copyright © Colin Woolf

26th April – partially eclipsed moon

Last night just after 9 o’clock I noticed the full moon rising over the Pentlands, veiled by thin ribbons of cloud.   Luckily, I’d just been reading on astronomy websites that, as the moon rose, it would be partially eclipsed.  This was clear to see, in the shaded part to the upper left.

Colin had a go at capturing it on camera, and here are the results.   We think they’re quite good!

Photos copyright © Colin Woolf