It was a beautiful morning today – more like summer temperatures, but certainly autumn in the hedgerows.  Lily and I went for our morning walk up the Auchlethen road to see what we could see.  The fruits in the hedgerows confirmed that it was autumn and a sheep with a crumpled horn watched us as we went past.

The teasles will stand straight all winter.

I thought the time for butterflies had passed, but a Red Admiral flew by and settled high on the withered branches of a Leylandii, posing nicely for the camera.

The sun was just in the right position and I was able to capture the tower of the West Kirk, peeping over the trees, still in full leaf.  There are one or two spots from here which give a pleasing vista on the old church.  This was the place where I had earlier captured a midsummer sunset picture.

There is just a hint of autumn colours in the trees.  I am waiting for the leaves to turn, hoping I manage to take some autumn pictures this year.  It just did not happen last year.  Winter seemed to arrive too early and autumn passed us by.  I am anxious to get a proper autumn picture for next year’s (2015) Cruden Country Calendar.

On my way home I noticed a beautiful red rose in Rowan Terrace, quite a contrast to the dandelion clock on the grass near bye – summer and autumn side by side.

And guess what was waiting for me in my own garden….a Red Admiral.  I wonder if it was the same one I had seen earlier.  It’s not all that far from the Auchlethen road as the butterfly flies.