Jelly Fish

On a recent walk at Evie beach, here in Orkney, we found a vast array of jelly fish washed up on the shore. These beautiful sea animals come in many different shapes and sizes and look stunning both in and out of the water. Sadly however they quickly begin to die if they are inadvertently caught in currents and washed up on the coastline. Some of the ones at Evie were still covered by water at low tide so hopefully might survive and be taken back out to sea. I’ve had a go at identifying the ones shown below - still not certain? There were many other colours and sizes but unfortunately I’d left my phone and camera behind.

Single jellyfish (Photo E. Forsyth)

Pair of jellyfish (Photo E. Forsyth)

Sea, sun, cloud and coastline

These photos were taken at the beginning of July. One of those amazing days here in Orkney, when the combination of sea, sun, cloud and stunning coastline all seem to come together in a magical synergy of energies.

Looking east towards Costa head and Rousey

Looking west towards the Brough of Birsay

Due north 

 

Rosa rugosa

Beautiful Rosa rugosa, not native to the UK but grows so beautifully here in Orkney’s chilly, windy and salt laden environment. It's loved by people, insects and birds, the latter feeding on the large red hips which form in the in the late summer, early autumn. 

We have it in both white and pink varieties in our garden here on the West Mainland of Orkney but the photos were taken on the East Mainland a couple of days ago in St Olav’s wood, a hugely successful plantation of trees and shrubs started in the 1970’s.

Rosa regosa

Part of St Olav’s Wood

Rosa rugosa and visiting hover fly