Sidetracked by the bog

©2019 Barry Smith - Detail of green sphagnum moss

In the main the weekend was given over to getting the yard of the cottage under control. No one had been in residence for about 6 weeks in summer so the weeds and grass are knee high. It is taking quite a bit of time to make it look loved again - but we are getting closer.

Instead of doing art work (in my case finish cutting the leaf) we decided to take a trip and visit Forsinard National Nature Reserve which is in the centre of the highlands blanket peat bog - 4000sq kilometres of internationally important bog - one of the biggest carbon sinks on the globe. Our local village is on the edge of this amazing entity.

Following are a few images from a glorious few hours spent taking in the beauty and importance of this rich and diverse environment.

©2019 Barry Smith - Viewing tower in the distance

©2019 Barry Smith  - Detail of red sphagnum moss

©2019 Barry Smith - Heather

©2019 Barry Smith - Bog cotton

©2019 Barry Smith - Intrepid nature photographer

©2019 Barry Smith - Amazing extent of the bog - as far as the eye could see

©2019 Barry Smith - Flat leaf sundew - sticky bits for trapping insects - leaf is about 2cm long

©2019 Barry Smith - Round leaf sun dews - one has trapped an insect

The sidetrack was well worth it.