White-throated Dipper

Cinculus cinculus gularis

A remarkable wee bird, that just looks wrong. It spends most of its time swimming and diving about in rivers, catching aquatic insect larvae and similar.

It has no obvious adaptations for this amphibious lifestyle.

At this time of year, it has recently mated, and the males are still displaying; standing on a rock or log, vibrating their wings and buzzing at you.

95%

A combination of images of the partial solar eclipse from Leith Links.

It was strangely moving to see the day dim and to feel the chill in the air.

Birds fell silent, dogs started barking.

Children from the local Primary School all cheered.

I think that you can see this larger, if you click the image...

Leith conjunction

The waxing crescent Moon and Venus over The Shore at Leith.

It's been a great week for celestial events!

Moon Detail

2096:Birds

A walk along the Water of Leith today, I was very glad to see this red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator) He's in full breeding plumage. Handsome.

Also saw many goosanders (Mergus merganser confusingly!) If you look closely you might be able to see her "toothed" bill.

2094: New Life

Where there's life, there's hope, eh?

2093:Pigeon

2093:Pigeon

If it comes to it, I'll be ablipping here, from now on...

This is the terrible mess left by the woodpigeon pair who are attempting a nest on the too-narrow window ledge above our door.