First Friday Filmclub...ish

A slight variation - this is a listening thing, rather than a watcher... I couldn't resist it, having so recently shared my visit to Duff house with you! I even mentioned meeting an Aussie expat (Rosemary) who is a guide at the house, and who gets to speak to the professor during his visit. 

I listened to this on Spotify, but I know a few of you prefer not to use that platform - you fan find it on other platforms, but I share with you here a version I found on the tubular, and which has the addition of an intro that is quite charming. Dr Kevin James is Scottish Studies Foundation Chair & Professor of History at Guelph Uni in Canada. It's an entertaining thirty-five minutes, and I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did! (And I include a rose for Rosy, to acknowledge Nature Friday!)

Menoturals; Chalk And Cheese

It's that wonderful time of the month when LLB's NF meets up with this blog's FFF... sharing nature a wee bit differently.

Yesterday, I told you that I drove Mac1 down to Biggar Museum for a visit. En route, we stopped for lunch at the Errington Barn. The main eatery was very full, so we opted for the little side hut with a more limited menu, but golly, it was good. Sissy went for the farm egg bap with their Corra Linn cheese, and I had the goat's cheese and honey drizzle crepe. Slurperoonies!!! Needless to say, I also purchased a slice of the Lanark Blue (made from sheep's milk) and an Elrick Log (made with goat's milk).

Hard to tell from that photo, but those rounds are eight or nine inches in diameter, and nearly as deep! That blue cheese is nothing short of heavenly, and the goat's cheese, divine. 

At the museum, I mentioned that there was an introductory section that fitted into the NF part of things quite well...

Yes, a fabulous collection of rock specimens with lots of info and - happy YAMster - a handle it and name it section.

Always a keen amateur, you might guess that I was also channelling my 'inner Gail'! I couldn't help but think that she might have been reasonably impressed with this small but excellent presentation. If you biggify the next one, although I downsize my photos for publication, you should still be able to read the relevant dates. (Despite my post title, there's no chalk here... but grant me a little licence!)

Both my sister and I loved this delightful museum - small but perfectly formed!

Nature was having a rage outside, though. I told you yesterday that the rains arrived when we did... and they forgot to stop. When it came time to leave, those twenty yards to the van proved to be as drenching as standing under the shower on full power. I drove as close as I could to the bus stop for Mac1 to dash to the shelter, then tried to get to the overnight stop I had planned ... but it was further down the hill, and it was flooded! The roads were under a foot of water, and the traffic was tragic. I decided to head back up the hill to Carnwath, where I could get the van charged and knew there would be no risk of waking up to wet feet. The drive was hair-raising, a 20mph task, so heavily washed was most of the road. 

When I did get settled, I could not be bothered cooking, so had a plate with oatcakes, beetroot, some of the fresh broad beans I'd picked at Little Sparta, and some of that gorgeous cheese. 

I lingered in Lanark for about ten days, then headed back to Dunoon for August. There was still some excellent weather to come, but as we crossed on the ferry, we were met with this...

Menoturals; First Friday Filmclub

It's that time when Nature Friday and FFF combine, yet again! For July, let's revisit the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, but this time it's a glimpse of the Chinese Hillside Cascades.

Menoturals; Fish On Friday

It's Final Friday Feature and Nature Friday time again! That day when two memes meet at the end of each month. As I have mentioned more than once, I took LOTS of photos when visiting Hazlehead Park, and most were from the Pets Corner minizoo. There are so many, in fact, that I am going to stretch them out a bit.

Let's begin with two related fish (by name at least), both of which hail from the norther regions of South America.

I introduce you to the Plecostomus - or as it is most commonly called, the Pleco. Other names are Cleaner Fish, Armoured Catfish (due to strong plating along the dorsal), Janitor Fish... and Suckermouth. That last one becomes clear when I show you this...

Yes, indeed! These busy workers like to keep the tank tidy by nibbling away at all the algae that can build up on the walls. They also like to nibble plants (as seen in the top photo) and crustaceans, making them omnivorous. These fish also have air-breathing gills. If they feel the water they are in has insufficient oxygen for their needs, they will rise to the surface and gulp fresh air.

Large tanks are required, though. Often, aquarists are caught out, buying Plecos when they are small and not quite realising that they can grow as much as 20 inches in length. Sadly, this has meant that in some areas, wild release (illegal, but so is fly tipping, and don't get me started on that monstrous behaviour) has resulted in river infestations. In SE Asia, they are classed as invasive, and it is encouraged to actively remove them from rivers and ponds or lakes.

Here, in the tanks of a wee Aberdeen pet zoo, though, they are charming and entertaining! Come back tomorrow to see the little video of this chap at work (with some of his tank mates cheering him on).

This second fellow is the Red-tail Catfish, which is another that is usually sold small and without warning as to the potential size. In the wild, they grow as much as six feet in length! The average, though, is around four feet, though this is still beyond most private tanks. This again results in wild release.

Unlike other, bottom-dwelling catfish species, the redtail is an active swimmer, and does not lie in wait on the river bottom to ambush passing prey. The redtail catfish is also not a picky eater, known for consuming anything that fits into its mouth. Meals range from other types of fish, crustaceans, aquatic worms, and even amphibians, such as frogs, to fallen fruits, seeds and tree nuts, such as those of palms or Ficus. In captivity, it has been reported that the redtail catfish will eat dry cat food.

The specimen seen here is likely a juvenile, as it does not display the adult characteristic of yellow flanks and cheeks. It was housed with a Carp of a similar size. The Clown Loach, seen in the next photo, should be on its guard as the Catfish may see it as prey! These might be considered the Labrador dogs of the fish world... and their tanks should not contain any item that might be gorged and then regurgitated (such as plastic castles or fake ferns...) Hope you've enjoyed this introduction to aquarium species!

Menoturals; First Friday Filmclub

For Nature Friday and FFF this month, I bring you the hilltop falls from Edinburgh Botanic Garden.

Menoturals As A Final Friday Feature

Today is that one time each month when the LLB Gang's Nature Friday coincides with my Final Friday Feature meme.

Not only am I sharing a little bit of nature with you, but some artistic impressions resulting from studying nature, as well as some interesting information. These are from the visit to the Edinburgh Botanic Garden that I shared with Aitch a couple of weeks back. You will see and read more from this visit in further posts. 

Today, though, we are focusing on some ceramic art which has a totemic feel to it and sits beautifully among the plantings on the Rockery area of the gardens.

There were lots of wonderful information boards throughout the gardens, which add to the understanding of what one is seeing... but ultimately, just being among the plants and trees, feeling how the bows of shade protected us from the rather hot sunshine that day, we reaffirmed our love of nature and just how very, very important it is that we preserve as much of the natural habitat around us that we can!

Me-Not-So-Noturals; A First Friday Filmclub Fact Finder

Remember that Nobby has another post over on his blog!

Friday posts are generally connected to the LLB Gang's Nature Friday meme. Regulars here will know that I am prone to stretch the definition a tad. Particularly when it comes to this first Friday of the month meme of my own.

I am sure that many of you will be aware of the increase in interest in what goes into our food and the effects it has. It can all seem mesmerising and tiring to have to monitor our intake. However, there are wider interests. One of my personal bugbears is the labelling that only says "natural flavourings", for example. Almost entirely, these are chemical products, albeit derived from an original fruit at some point. 

I found the following two items of great interest. The 'natural' sources of so much of what goes into our food (that's only six minutes), and then a discussion with an ex-insider, now advocate against the misleading labelling in the food industry (25 minutes, but very worth the listen and not at all boring!)

There is lots more of interest on the "It's Complicated from The Guardian" tubular channel, if you wish for further enlightenment.

Menoturals; Finding Your Feet

Crikey—it's time for the joint meme of Nature Friday and Final Friday Feature again. I must be getting old. The months are turning into weeks, the weeks into days, and the days into minutes! Before I forget, fans of Nobby might like to check out his latest news, if you haven't already seen it on your reader.

Anyhoo... if you visited here yesterday, you will have seen a short woodland walk among the daffodils and blue bells up to a gazebo. What I kept back from that post to share with you here today were all the carved wooden signs showing who the fur and feather visitors might be to that lovely wee spot. You don't need me to witter on, here they all are. The walk started with the little metal sculpture and ended with a compilation board. I hope you can read them all!

First Friday Filmclub - Home Movie

Some of you might like a couple of minutes of peace and quiet, as well as a home-life sort of thing. Some of you might not, and that's okay, too. Move along. I wanted a slightly dressier shawl and beanie for going out to the concert at Rosslyn. I had bought the yarn (Sirdar Jewelspun) at the quilt show in Glasgow. I had the accent glimmer yarn in the stash. Those interested can find the pattern here at Moogly. I made up the beanie pattern myself. It was very quick to make (three or four evenings) and was much admired. 

Menoturals; Final Friday Feature

I am stretching things again with regard to my Nature Friday offering, but as it is also that day that I share with my monthly meme of FFF, then I think I can get away with it! Beyond the images for the pretty bit, the feature aspect is the 'learn more' links provided.

Given that spring is a little tardy in the places I've been, I am relying on the broader scope of nature to share with you—in short, the landscape and how we fit into it. Scotland is blessed (as you have no doubt recognised by now) with many wonderful views and places to sit and just 'be' at one with the elements. And boy, do we have 'elements'..... At least on the day we arrived at East Lomond parking spot, the temps were balmy enough to counteract the very edgy wind, and the sky was bright enough to make this look positively idyllic.

Hettie was well chuffed with this scene. Looking out over the coast of Fife and the Firth of Forth, right over to the Lammermuir Hills. (On the right out of shot are the Pentland Hills, with Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat sprawling before them.) The two wee 'bumps' you can see in the distance are, on the left, Bass Rock, and on the right, North Berwick Law, a volcanic plug. I'm not sure you can make it out from this shot, but there are a lot of wind turbines dotted about the landscape below. Fife gets a good breeze off the Firth of Forth, so wind power makes a great deal of sense and is desirable in this age of needing to shift our power sources.

Being extremely fertile, this landscape has also been a very long-term settlement space. 

If you biggify that, you should be able to read the information or at least get the gist. You can also read about a recent archaeological dig HERE. 

Let me end with two photos of the sunset from this park up: one taken with the Gopika's preset and through the van window, and the second taken outside after altering the exposure and light balance. 

Menoturals for First Friday Filmclub

Yes, I am combining Nature Friday with FFFclub this month. By happy circumstance, there were clear skies on Feb 28th and March 1st, so I could take in the planetary alignment -  I missed seeing Mercury but got a glimpse of the rest (binoculars helped). Most of all, last Saturday, though, I was adoring the slivered new moon... I could have dug out the Hisstix and taken more serious photos. However, I opted to use the Gopika (phone) camera, and here you see the setting above the landscape, a zoom-in, and a close-up.

I am hoping for a few more clear night skies this month. It's been a while since I did much star-gazing. For the film this month, here's a bit about the phases of the moon - just in case you want to join me!

Menoturals; Floraleye 4 ++

It's Nature Friday... and I am short on photographic supply. What I will do for January and February is keep it very simple. A single photo each week to keep Rosy (and Sunny) smiling and bring a little bit of summer into these deep winter days. 

Today, though, it is also FFF...

Yellow roses are for friendship. One friendship that has recently been severed is the one I had with Gail. I was not her only friend, though - not by a very long shot. 

Last week, in Aberdeen's Hazelhead Park, those who could attend gathered in her memory to celebrate her life.

First Friday Filmclub

In this first offering of the year, I am indulging my love of dance and minimalist music. My penfriend and blog reader, Joni, who lives in Canada, sent me the link to this song. The song is about love in every ordinary and extraordinary way—another theme of this blog! Listen closely, watch attentively, and lose yourself for a few minutes in sound and movement.

Menoturals; A First Friday Filmclub Post

December—time for something to cheer and lift us. One might question this being used for Nature Friday, but any critter is a part of the natural world—even when placed in unnatural surroundings!

Those paying attention will have gathered my love of cattle. Whether it would stretch to subject one to this sort of event is debatable. There can be no denying the love and attention these pet cows receive... and one thing I do know is that if a cow didn't want to do this, it just wouldn't be there! There's no persuading a ton of flesh to turn right if it is determined to turn left.

And because it is Nature Friday, I must leave you with a Rose for Rosy!

First Friday Filmclub

Here's a bit of vibrant colour to brighten the oncoming winter days (at least up here on the northern end!) Ghana, like most of West Africa, shines with its fabrics and sense of style. The images are interspersed with some words of wisdom... "Allumuah [Pronounced: ‘A-Loom-Wah’] is a short film by Curtis Essel that explores the path of intersectional/generational relationships which vividly depicts the beauty in culture and the characters within it. A tribute by the director to his late grandmother."

ALLUMUAH by Curtis Essel from NOWNESS on Vimeo.

First Friday Filmclub

October and autumn creep upon us. This moody number, filmed during COVID lockdowns in New York state, takes us back to what already seems like distant history, though it's not even five years since... and is suitably dark for a spooky month!

First Friday Filmclub

Filmmaker Lorena Colmenares hails from Venezuela... so one can understand a little more of what is going on in this short movie. The boy actor is marvellous, conveying angst and confusion most wonderfully. A fascinating - and somewhat disturbing - film. I hope you find it as compelling a watch as I have.

The Red Spiral (La Espiral Roja) from Lorena Colmenares on Vimeo.

Menoturals; A Mooment Of Your Time

It's FFF/Nature Friday time again, and this is when I like to present you with something just a little bit more challenging/educational/entertaining/... or at least try!

As for today's title.................

Yes, it's about cattle. Specifically, today, the very famous Highland Cattle—almost always referred to as the 'Hielan' Coo' even when it's a bull—but don't get me started on the differences between bulls and cows.

I had the perfect photo op at Drum Castle, and I know quite a few of my readers are equally fond of farm critters. 

You might look at this one above and have a question mark in your mind. Be reassured, this is most definitely a Highland Cow. She is showing true conformation back to the very original type of the breed. Black was the colour of our true cow's hair! Also, the coat is shed in the summer - for obvious reasons - thus looking less hairy and shaggy than is often seen. Now, the black may have been dominant and was certainly true of the Kyloe (the Hebridean and west coast members of the breed), but in the Highlands and toward the northeast, the coat colour tended more to brindle and dun. Genetics from interbreeding between the Highland and the Island cattle resulted in the reddish tones that, legend has it, Queen Victoria so admired. As she did admire it, and as it was considered necessary always to please QV, then farmers started to breed for specific red. Nowadays, there is quite a variety of colours to be found, and obtaining those colours is very scientific!

How, then, does one tell a bull from a cow - if one cannot see the obvious? It's all in the horns. Of course, a bull quite possibly has a nose ring, which is a bit of a giveaway. Many don't, though. So look at the head. The brow/crown will be quite a bit stronger and squarer than that of a cow, and the horns will be set at a downward angle. The cow horns are set either straight out or upward and it is rare indeed to find a cow with down-turned horns.

Did you know that a gathering of Highland Cattle is not referred to as a herd, like other cattle, but as a FOLD? This dates back to when the beasts were brought into 'the fold', a circular drystone-walled pen, for protection from severe weather and wolves.

Highland Cattle are very hardy, and most weather doesn't bother them, nor does rough, high ground. They are actually very good conservation animals, browsing the hillsides in a manner that propagates natural species growth and helps to maintain the environments in which they graze.

They are also considered to be generally very good-natured and relatively easily handled. This is why quite a lot of farmers' wives and children like to keep at least one or two as pets and for showing. Of course, like most farm animals, the fate of the majority is to provide milk and meat...

If you would like to look at even cuter photos than these (and significantly better quality), then do pop over to the Highland Cattle Society page!

Menoturals; Dun Gawjuss

It's Nature Friday time again! Yesterday, I mentioned a visit to the House of Dun, particularly the walled garden. Here is some of the gorgeous growth I spotted there.

I also teased about wee jumping things at Kinnaber Forest. There were lots. Some brown, others more yellow-green with a stripe. Can you spot it?

The little brown ones, it turns out, were Common Toads. These little greenish ones are Common Frogs. They were tiny because they had only recently transformed from their tadpole stage. How small were these? I picked one up so you could get a closer look... thanks to Aitch for taking the shot. They were all over the place, and one had to take care on the path not to tread on any!