The Purple Penguin

Have we mentioned it’s wet? Very wet? Miserably wet? Joe thinks it started out drier, but that’s because he’s so wet. Anyway, we drove out to Inverinan to see osprey. Along the way Joe said he saw something so I pulled into a forest track and parked and Joe headed out to see if it was a log or what. Turned out to be deer! We saw one, then it got spooked by a car and we saw the other one as they both headed into the trees. But we still saw the deer! The rain had actually stopped for a bit, and when we got to Inverinan we got out and stood and stared at the osprey nest off in the distance. Watched the osprey sitting under the nest until he flew off. He was hunting and we got to see him dive before we lost view and the rain started again. Poured down. So we drove off to see if we could find the second nest. Found that and parked up in a passing zone area and watched. We were at a lower level then Joe had been before so we really couldn’t see much. Decided to wait until noon and see if anything happened. Just as we were getting ready to go, the osprey flew in, with a fish lunch! Watched him circle the nest area several times, the female came out  of the nest and sat on the edge waiting for him, and he came in and delivered lunch. Then flew off to sit in a nearby tree and preen. Sat and watched him until he flew off hunting again. Wonderful!

Got to Timber Trail and wondered if we should bother in the rain. Decided to carry on and head toward Tarbert. We stopped at Dunadd and climbed up to the fort. Tough climb in places but very good views out over the bog and farmland. Joe got some panoramic photos and we got blown about for a bit! Then on to Tarbert along Loch Fyne. Found parking in Tarbert and walked along the harbour then up to the castle. Had a poke around the castle ruins and looked at the view over the harbour before heading back into town and having a late lunch/early dinner. We had decided to get in early so we headed back towards the B&B and pretty much just drove through. We did stop at Kitchurn Castle viewpoint and walked out to see the view. Of course it rained and the ground was pure bog so we got a bit wet. But the view over the loch to the castle was nice. If wet. We still haven’t seen how to get over to the castle!

But now we’re out of time for wandering around the loch! So it will probably stop raining. We’re off tomorrow for a boat journey around Mull to see water wildlife.