Sand martins

Beneath the shadow of Beinn Eighe, where the river Coulin empties itself into the loch . . .

. . . water carves its way through land.

Highland cattle and Highland ponies graze and drink at the water’s edge . . .

. . .while, under their feet, the sand martins have made a home in the steep strip of sand between the grass and gravel.

Each year they fly from the Sahara to Scotland. . .

. . . carefully repair their sandy colonies . . .

. . . furnish their nests . . .

. . . and raise their young.

Feeding on the wing, they zip about . . .

. . . squabbling, chit-chattering.

This small, sociable, resourceful bird . . .

the sound of a Highland spring.