An Artist’s Conk on an evening trespass
There’s a lovely woodland nearby. It seems as large as any of the local public-access parks and yet it is privately owned. …
With this ring…
Maybe not.
Injured animal
Arriving on Papa Westray, we have to walk the full length of the island to get to North Hill and the drama …
Clean or unclean?
Clean or unclean? That is the question. For most religions there are deeply-held beliefs about handling and eating animals. There are cultural …
Chin scratching
It’s a real talent to be able to scratch your chin with your foot. It’s fascinating to see this youngster’s dewclaw on …
Westray Coast 50 – Day Five
My adventures on the fifth of five days walking the entire coast of Westray.
Westray Coast 50 – Day One
My adventures on the first of five days walking the entire coast of Westray.
Curious cattle
It’s ten years since I took this photograph of cattle on Westray in the field next to Einar: Curiosity Cow The cattle …
Tentative
Arriving at Einar, the cattle are always keen to see what’s happening. They approach me with tentative noses:
Curious wet nose
Westray is a farming and fishing island, with wildlife largely confined to the edges and margins. It is a very productive island with green fields and very healthy-looking cattle.
Here’s a curious wet nose:
Autumn at Killerton
Killerton is an unusual National Trust property. Unlike many of the others its story doesn’t appear to involve slavery, death and exploitation …
From rich forests teeming with natural life…
The Earth is on a journey from biodiversity to monoculture; from rich tropical and temperate rainforests to grass with cattle and sheep …
Curious Beef Steers
They always say you can judge a man by the quality of his shoes. You can also identify the type of an …
Never a dull day
The weather on Westray may be dull, but there’s never a dull day on Westray.
A white blanket of cloud shrouds the island but life continues as normal for the incredible menagerie which inhabits the shores of Westray.
The eyes have it
Visiting Westray as a tourist, one thing must strike you; You’re on holiday on someone’s farm. There are beautiful beef steers everywhere. …
“What’s going on?”
“What’s going on?”
Handsome chap
Red Bull. All I need now is the vodka.
A chap with an attitude problem
A chap with an attitude problem… and a bull. A quick cycle to the Bay of Swartmill in the sunshine with my …
Cattle at Inga Ness
This afternoon there was time to cycle to East Kirbest and walk to Inga Ness, skirting Skea Hill and to look out …
Bulls
It seems that in every field of valuable cattle is a magnificent beast – the even more valuable bull. Strange fellows, with …
Beauty Parade
A character face, I’d say, rather than a beautiful or handsome one.
Cattle Panorama
A landscape full of beautiful inquisitive cattle. Wandering along the beach at Aikerness.
Hair on the Wire
Sunset in the garden at Einar silhouettes the hair of the cattle rubbed onto the barbed wire in the fields.
Curiosity Cow
Westray cattle are a breed apart. I’m used to seeing docile unthinking beasts in Devon. Barely alive, seemingly semi-conscious, the Devon grass …