Windy walk in the hills

After a big breakfast we drove through spectacular scenery and parked near the Old Lodge at Coignafearn.A pathway spreads out in front of us heading further into Strathdearn between the North Monadhliath Mountains.This is called Raptor Valley and the Upper Findhorn River flows along side you as you walk down the track.
What you can not see is the fierceness of the wind.It was blowing a Hoolie making it a job to walk but we persevered for some way , not quite reaching the much older lodge further ahead though. We saw several buzzards struggling against the wind.Two ravens found it easier and , like the dipper, they build their nests early and these two were bringing in large twigs to a nest sight out of view.Their croaks could be heard as they flew overhead.A peregrine falcon took off from the scree and battled against the gusts. At the top of the mountains the feral goats cold be spotted munching away of what’s left if the heather,
A much easier walk back to the car with the wind behind us. We stopped to speak to a couple who were loaded up with large cameras and lens.We had seen the chap yesterday at Udale bay and he had posted some photos on the Highland birds Facebook page this morning, it’s a small world.
We visited an old church before going to The Dairy at Daviot to share a warming soup, delicious bread, a cake and a cup of tea :)