Amelia's photos

The camera lens was not being sand-blasted looking in this direction neither were our faces. Such a relief.

This goose, probably a domestic greylag, seemed very out of place on this windy shore. The strong southeasterly wind ruffled his feathers, and he was very reluctant to fly off. We could see him from 250 metres away, and even when I got up close he didn't move away. We continued along the beach for about another mile and then walked back, by which time he had decided he'd had enough and had flown away safely I hope. Mr Acker Bilk -- Stranger on the Shore

The sanderling is a small, plump, energetic wading bird. These were feeding on small crustaceans (probably) brought in by the tide. They are wonderful to watch in flight, but I wasn't quite quick enough to get really good shots as my hands were very cold.

Macro Monday this week is: Zip or zipper.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, this week I had to search the archives unfortunately. This is the only half reasonable photo I had for the challenge.

"Naima" is a ballad composed by John Coltrane in 1959 that he named after his wife, Juanita Naima Grubbs. It is notable for its use of a variety of rich chords over a bass pedal. It is mainly made up of a slow melody, and there is also a brief piano solo. It is one of his quieter and more restrained works, and very restful, hence the muted design of the album cover. Naima - John Coltrane

HFF and a great weekend everyone

The Water Is Wide with lyrics - Karla Bonoff

The main sandy beach runs 3.5 miles from Westport to Machrihanish and provides opportunities for surfing. There was a strong offshore wind that day, and the group of surfers from Glasgow University didn't seem keen to give surfing a go. Also the tide was still going out when we were there, so maybe they were waiting.

Having spent a largely miserable and wet day exploring the west coast of North Kintyre, we were delighted to arrive in Crinan to find calm and dryish weather. The sea lock here was very interesting, and the hot cup of coffee + a slice of lemon drizzle cake in this little cafe was most welcome.

The Crinan Canal between Crinan and Ardrishaig in Argyll and Bute in the west of Scotland is operated by Scottish Canals. The canal, which opened in 1801, takes its name from the village of Crinan at its western end. Approximately nine miles (14 km) long, the canal connects the village of Ardrishaig on Loch Gilp with the Sound of Jura, providing a navigable route between the Clyde and the Inner Hebrides, without the need for a long diversion around the Kintyre peninsula, and in particular the exposed Mull of Kintyre It was designed by civil engineer John Rennie and work started in 1794, but was not completed until 1801, two years later than planned.

Inside a waterproof jacket.

The Sunday Challenge this week is: Use a photograph to convey what you are thankful for. There are so many things to be thankful for, but without my varifocal glasses and my (large) hearing aids I wouldn't be able to hear music or birdsong, or read, or see things clearly, or appreciate everything around me. So, although this photo is really mundane, I am so very thankful for these items which I use every single day, and without which I would be living in a totally silent and somewhat blurred world. I won't be online until Sunday evening, but I'm really looking forward to seeing what you are all thankful for. You don't know what you've got til it's gone - Joni Mitchell

I'm Always Chasing Rainbows - Australian Girls Choir

The Saturday Self Challenge is Multicolour The PiP is a 'rainbow' caused by light travelling through a crystal droplet Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond