A Strong Wind

The strong and increasingly gusty southeasterly wind continues to dominate our weather, but at least it's bringing a run of fine, dry days - and warm enough to bring out a few butterflies. It was good to see this tortoiseshell on the escallonia, particularly in view of reports earlier in the year that this butterfly's numbers have dropped drastically.

When the butterfly took to the air it was only just in control of its flight. This caterpillar had no such problem in crossing the road, which it did in a dead straight line and fast - as if it knew all about cars.

The gusts became increasingly fierce towards lunchtime, some reaching a good force 7, and it was at this time that F264, the German navy's Ludwigshafen am Rhein, a Braunschweig-class corvette, chose to come into the Sound of Mull. That she's in these waters at this time indicates the start of the twice-yearly multinational Joint Warrior exercises.

At the same time the Royal Navy is running an 'Unmanned Warrior' contest to find the best autonomous technology. This features remotely-controlled vehicles that operate in the air, on, and under water. Maybe it was too windy, but there was no sign of anyone on the Ludwigshafen am Rhein's decks.