In Winter Coat

What a day of contrasts it has been. Blue sky almost from horizon to horizon this morning then white-capped black clouds full of heavy rain this afternoon followed once more by sunshine and rainbows.

I sat for over an hour by the shore watching seals scratching and yawning while a soft vestigial swell kissed the shoreline with a slurp that barely moved the seaweed. An array of shorebirds slept soundly on the offshore skerries waiting for the tide to turn while wagtails feasted on the flies amongst the washed up kelp. A lone robin was proclaiming has territory somewhere behind me.

I could have lingered longer but the light was fading and you were all waiting for my blip.

Here it is then: Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba yarrelli, winter plumage.