20th February. A circular walk along the Allan Water, Stirlingshire, from Dunblane to Kinbuck and back.
A tumbled dyke beside the trees, going nowhere.
A scattering of oystercatchers in a flooded field, orange bills poking into the wet grass.
A pied wagtail skimming the surface of the river like a stone.
A mature beech tree, uprooted and toppled into the river.
The river, slowing here, noosing around a low field.
A red kite perched on a tree top, bending the uppermost branch.
A chattering row of trees, alive with starlings.
A solitary blackbird, tossing up fallen leaves.
Six wood pigeons on a wire, spread out like minims on a stave.
A field of crows lifting as one, arcing away and landing as one.
Scottish Mountains 