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Remains of Seamer Beacon Dyke - late Bronze Age (approximately 1200 to 800 BC)

High above The Vale of Pickering these trees grow alone on this part of East Ayton Moor, which in Spring is a sea of green. As the year passes the sea will have turned to gold as the crop ripens. There are no hedgerows or other trees in this large area of open fields. It is possible that these trees mark the boundary between fields and uncultivated moorland, as shown on a 1938 OS map. Since then entire area has been put under the plough or consists of fields for the grazing of sheep. My walk across this area was accompanied by the constant song of the Skylark. There must have been many of them, as there was always at least 2 or 3 fluttering and singing high above. I was lucky enough to see one on a nearby fence-post, but not quick enough with the camera. The whole experience reminded me of: The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Played by Nicola Benedetti with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andrew Litton . www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLhpkvQLDt0

Flowers found in and around the River Derwent/Castle hill area during my allowed exercise time. The Marsh Marigold was found in a boggy area along the boardwalk that follow the Derwnet and on the banks. The wall flower was growing on the same stone wall that the blossom was hanging over.

Having lunched on a small crab (see note) this Herring Gull took the plunge back into the search for more food.

Taken March 2017

The buildings visible through the arch of the 14th century gatehouse of the Augustinian cathedral-priory of St Andrews cathedral are a small part of St. Leonards Independent School This gate-hall was the main entrance to the priory and consists of four bays with a cross-wall between the first and second bays. Now a roofless shell with a large vehicular entrance, it has lost most of its upper storey and the gate-hall vaulting. The road (The Pends) gives access from South Street to the harbour. The tower in the right had picture is that of St. Salvator's Chapel, situated on North Street and is part of the college of the same name. Founded in 1450 by Bishop James Kennedy, St. Salvator's College is part of the University of St. Andrews (founded 1413)

The northernmost peninsula on the Isle of Skye is known as Trotternish The Trotternish Ridge is the result of a massive landslip, and runs for about 19 mlles/30 km, almost the full length of the peninsula. Trotternish Ridge is the result of the UK’s largest known landslide. The most obvious landslides occurred within the last 15,000 years and some movement does still occur, as the regular road repairs lower down testify. Both the Old man of Storr and The Quiraing are famous geological features that have been formed as part of this landslip. The ridge is a very popular destination for hillwalkers. Rising to 2358 feet/719 mtrs at its highest point, it has a total of 13 named summits along its way. The The Black and Red Cuillins Two Cuillin ranges dominate the landscape on Skye: the Black Cuillin and the Red Cuillin separated by Glen Sligachan. A single footpath runs through the glen for a distance of 8 miles/13 km from Sligachan in the north to Camasunary Bay in the south. The iconic ridge of the Black Cuillin is the UK’s most challenging mountain range. Over 6.8 miles/11km long and above 3,000 feet/914 mtrs in places. The highest point is Sgurr Alasdair at 3,254 feet./992 mtrs The gentler, rounded Red Cuillin are popular with hillwalkers, the highest point being Glamaig, at 2,543 feet/775 mtrs. The distinctive peak of Marsco, shown above, is also in the Red Cuillin and stands at 2414 feet/736 mtrs.

HFF 19/3/2021

Two cock pheasants fighting for the favours of the hen birds. They sparred for about 7-8 minutes until a short snow shower briefly interrupted their rivalry, after which they went their separate ways.