After a late night, a leisurely start. It began with tidying and sorting the car, which was a tip. Then about 10 a.m., the becoming customary, hot chocolate (me) and coffee (Pam) + the Daily Telegraph from the Spar Post Office at the bottom of our dead end road. A quick look to check the Spey from the Garten bridge, to find that it was very full indeed, most of the rocks submerged. One male Goldeneye seen before turning round and heading for Carr-bridge. Built in 1717 to enable a river crossing for the locals. It might be worth a photo after all the rain. It wasn't very spectacular but good enough.
We really anticipate the funicular ride up Cairngorm, one of the highlights of our trips and the best chance of seeing both Ring Ouzel and Ptarmigan. Oh no. The notice on the Aviemore end of the road up said 'Funicular closed mid week'. What exactly did that mean?
Three quarters of the way up, Coir na Coist car park has a stone walled hide which states that all four Grouse may be seen from here. We've never seen anything and, to-day was no exception.
The warm sun disappeared as we climbed, grey cloud and spitting rain its replacement. Many cars in the car park......Pam went off to find out what was happening as she'd seen a funicular come down. The answer was that it was completely closed until May 16 for maintenance and re-furbishment. So much for mid-week. We were not happy. No notice and the first time ever. I scanned long and carefully from the car park, Red Grouse and two Ravens and a single Snow Bunting only.
It was icy cold here, the temperature at a lower altitude rose to 10C to-day when it felt pleasantly warm. I've just realised that I was wearing a base layer Tshirt, thick polo shirt and a woollen cardigan under my coat.
The bonus was, driving to the other side of the car park and seeing the Cairngorm Reindeer herd on the mountainside. They look so right.
We saw them descend, before disappearing below. Pam got out to try and see the Bunting better and called to me. The herd was directly below us.
Most of them had lost their antlers, this one had one pretty pathetic one left.
Others had incipient, velvet covered horns
and there were a few young ones.
One white animal caught my eye - and lens.
As we left, the animals were holding up the traffic by dawdling on the road. A herdswoman drove up, parked her car, hefted a brown sack and set off up the mountainside. She stopped, waved the sack about and the herd followed her up as far as the ridge. Out of harm's way I guess, as some people were attempting to pet them. They are semi wild animals.
Down the Insh road to Glen Feshie next, past Inshriach Alpine Centre and tea-room where we planned to have a drink and home-made cake, overlooking bird feeders, later. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Glen Feshie's trees have grown tremendously since our early visits, it's difficult to find somewhere to park and see the river now. Still a lovely drive up to the legal driving end, overlooked by a snowy lump of a mountain.
We discovered Uath Lochan a few years ago. A turning off the Feshie road where one can park amongst the trees around a small lochan. We've seen some good birds here in the past. To-day was no exception. After the Coal Tits, Willow Warblers and Chaffinches came a Crested Tit, responding to my lure. He didn't stay long enough for a photograph.
We're planning a long day to-morrow, we were back at the cottage soon after 4.00 to process yesterday and to-day's photographs, to catch up on this Blog.
Time to switch the moth trap on as it's getting dark. What will to-night bring?
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