Cùra
@curaguardian.bsky.social
Cùra - Gaelic, ‘guardian’ or ‘protector’. Stories from wild Scotland and beyond. When culture, history and science say the same things they should be heard. www.curaearth.com
Pirates will be disappointed - The island of Rùm (not Rum, sorry pirates) West coast, Highland Scotland. One of the oldest Scots sites of human settlement but no badgers. Around 1900 a new owner tried to change the name to Rhum not to be 'The Laird of Rum', it did not last.
Image Nick Sidle©
Image Nick Sidle©
April 6, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Pirates will be disappointed - The island of Rùm (not Rum, sorry pirates) West coast, Highland Scotland. One of the oldest Scots sites of human settlement but no badgers. Around 1900 a new owner tried to change the name to Rhum not to be 'The Laird of Rum', it did not last.
Image Nick Sidle©
Image Nick Sidle©
‘When we grow up, we are going to be the fastest animals on the planet!
Peregrine chicks Lanarkshire. The Peregrine hunts by taking other birds in flight in a steep dive with a typical speed of around 150 miles per hour. Some estimates put the maximum speed as up to 200 mph.
Image ©Nick Sidle
Peregrine chicks Lanarkshire. The Peregrine hunts by taking other birds in flight in a steep dive with a typical speed of around 150 miles per hour. Some estimates put the maximum speed as up to 200 mph.
Image ©Nick Sidle
April 4, 2025 at 12:28 PM
‘When we grow up, we are going to be the fastest animals on the planet!
Peregrine chicks Lanarkshire. The Peregrine hunts by taking other birds in flight in a steep dive with a typical speed of around 150 miles per hour. Some estimates put the maximum speed as up to 200 mph.
Image ©Nick Sidle
Peregrine chicks Lanarkshire. The Peregrine hunts by taking other birds in flight in a steep dive with a typical speed of around 150 miles per hour. Some estimates put the maximum speed as up to 200 mph.
Image ©Nick Sidle
Migrants at the southern border using hi tech navigation and advanced aerodynamics to make crossing...
curaearth.com/spot-the-dif...
curaearth.com/spot-the-dif...
March 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Migrants at the southern border using hi tech navigation and advanced aerodynamics to make crossing...
curaearth.com/spot-the-dif...
curaearth.com/spot-the-dif...
Ospreys, Cairngorms. Breeding pairs in Britain 1916 to 1953: 0, 1954: 1, 2023: 250-300, mostly in Scotland. Persecuted for taking fish and by egg collectors and hit by habitat loss and pollution, the Osprey was nearly lost to Scotland and UK. 1954 brought back to Loch Garten.
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
March 3, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Ospreys, Cairngorms. Breeding pairs in Britain 1916 to 1953: 0, 1954: 1, 2023: 250-300, mostly in Scotland. Persecuted for taking fish and by egg collectors and hit by habitat loss and pollution, the Osprey was nearly lost to Scotland and UK. 1954 brought back to Loch Garten.
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Bottlenose Dolphin. Each has their own name as a whistle sound. They sleep one side of their brain and then the other, not both at once. Associated worldwide with play and fun and they have larger brains than people. Perhaps they and fun have been underestimated.
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
March 2, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Bottlenose Dolphin. Each has their own name as a whistle sound. They sleep one side of their brain and then the other, not both at once. Associated worldwide with play and fun and they have larger brains than people. Perhaps they and fun have been underestimated.
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Five Sisters of Kintail, Ross, Scotland. Named after five daughters turned to stone the mountains are said to bring gifts: Individually food, security, healing, histories and the secrets of life and death. Walk in the land with respect and you will be given all those.
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
March 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Five Sisters of Kintail, Ross, Scotland. Named after five daughters turned to stone the mountains are said to bring gifts: Individually food, security, healing, histories and the secrets of life and death. Walk in the land with respect and you will be given all those.
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
The Black Cuillin Hills, Skye. 60 million years young and a bit quieter now they are not a volcano. 3255 feet high and once called worthless since they were of no use for farming. Now we value them for themselves and that makes them priceless and ours.
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
February 28, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The Black Cuillin Hills, Skye. 60 million years young and a bit quieter now they are not a volcano. 3255 feet high and once called worthless since they were of no use for farming. Now we value them for themselves and that makes them priceless and ours.
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Over 200 years ago British settlers, transported convicts and Native Australia collided, recognition, justice and reconciliation are still not complete. ‘Globalisation 1802’, a new feature article posted on Cùra Earth
curaearth.com/globalisatio...
curaearth.com/globalisatio...
February 27, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Over 200 years ago British settlers, transported convicts and Native Australia collided, recognition, justice and reconciliation are still not complete. ‘Globalisation 1802’, a new feature article posted on Cùra Earth
curaearth.com/globalisatio...
curaearth.com/globalisatio...
2024 UK Bumblebee numbers fall to their lowest reported level, data from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Average reductions were almost 25% but the Red-tailed Bumblebee fell by 74%. Cause probably a very wet spring affecting the critical phase when queens start new colonies
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
February 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
2024 UK Bumblebee numbers fall to their lowest reported level, data from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Average reductions were almost 25% but the Red-tailed Bumblebee fell by 74%. Cause probably a very wet spring affecting the critical phase when queens start new colonies
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
European Adder
The Berithir are the serpent dragons of The Scottish Highlands, of these the Nathair are the Adders. In Celtic lore snakes are tied to earth power and healing as well as danger. Adders treated with respect are a low risk to people. People are a big risk to them
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
The Berithir are the serpent dragons of The Scottish Highlands, of these the Nathair are the Adders. In Celtic lore snakes are tied to earth power and healing as well as danger. Adders treated with respect are a low risk to people. People are a big risk to them
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
February 26, 2025 at 8:27 AM
European Adder
The Berithir are the serpent dragons of The Scottish Highlands, of these the Nathair are the Adders. In Celtic lore snakes are tied to earth power and healing as well as danger. Adders treated with respect are a low risk to people. People are a big risk to them
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
The Berithir are the serpent dragons of The Scottish Highlands, of these the Nathair are the Adders. In Celtic lore snakes are tied to earth power and healing as well as danger. Adders treated with respect are a low risk to people. People are a big risk to them
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
2024 - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority reports fifth mass coral bleaching event in 8 years. US agencies indicate fourth worldwide bleaching event is taking place. Further Australian report indicates highest ever levels of heat stress on the reef.
Illustration - Al and software developed
Illustration - Al and software developed
February 24, 2025 at 9:50 AM
2024 - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority reports fifth mass coral bleaching event in 8 years. US agencies indicate fourth worldwide bleaching event is taking place. Further Australian report indicates highest ever levels of heat stress on the reef.
Illustration - Al and software developed
Illustration - Al and software developed
Corrimony Nature Reserve, Glen Urquhart, in winter. Damaged in the huge 2023 wildfire at Cannich. Wildfires are more frequent and severe now and recovery takes many years. Corrimony - corrie of the peat or the wet corrie, it was the peat that burned.
February 23, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Corrimony Nature Reserve, Glen Urquhart, in winter. Damaged in the huge 2023 wildfire at Cannich. Wildfires are more frequent and severe now and recovery takes many years. Corrimony - corrie of the peat or the wet corrie, it was the peat that burned.
Clashnessie Bay, Sutherland. Noted for its exceptional mild microclimate despite being so far North this comes from the Atlantic Gulf Stream. With climate change the Gulf Stream is getting disrupted. Global warming can take away things we know and think of as ours.
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
February 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Clashnessie Bay, Sutherland. Noted for its exceptional mild microclimate despite being so far North this comes from the Atlantic Gulf Stream. With climate change the Gulf Stream is getting disrupted. Global warming can take away things we know and think of as ours.
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
0°C is higher than it used to be. Swiss Weather Service uses
balloons to find the altitude at which 0°C is recorded. 21st
August 2023 was then the highest ever, 5298m. MétéoSuisse noted 0°C Line indicates effects on habitat, plants and animals. Climate is changing.
Walensee, Switzerland ©Nick Sidle
balloons to find the altitude at which 0°C is recorded. 21st
August 2023 was then the highest ever, 5298m. MétéoSuisse noted 0°C Line indicates effects on habitat, plants and animals. Climate is changing.
Walensee, Switzerland ©Nick Sidle
February 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM
0°C is higher than it used to be. Swiss Weather Service uses
balloons to find the altitude at which 0°C is recorded. 21st
August 2023 was then the highest ever, 5298m. MétéoSuisse noted 0°C Line indicates effects on habitat, plants and animals. Climate is changing.
Walensee, Switzerland ©Nick Sidle
balloons to find the altitude at which 0°C is recorded. 21st
August 2023 was then the highest ever, 5298m. MétéoSuisse noted 0°C Line indicates effects on habitat, plants and animals. Climate is changing.
Walensee, Switzerland ©Nick Sidle
Scottish Wildcat. Declining numbers for centuries, persecution/habitat loss. Threat now is breeding with domestic cats but for 2000 years did not happen. Research shows mixing of wild and domestic started in the 1960’s. More encounters or fewer wildcats?
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
February 19, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Scottish Wildcat. Declining numbers for centuries, persecution/habitat loss. Threat now is breeding with domestic cats but for 2000 years did not happen. Research shows mixing of wild and domestic started in the 1960’s. More encounters or fewer wildcats?
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
First ancestors 55 million BC. 1.25 million BC relatives of the modern Fox all leave N America and set up in Europe. 300,000 BC present day Red Fox emerges in Europe and spreads back to N America giving a whole new meaning to migrants
#Scotland #Migrants #WildlifePhotography
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
#Scotland #Migrants #WildlifePhotography
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
November 21, 2024 at 3:29 PM
First ancestors 55 million BC. 1.25 million BC relatives of the modern Fox all leave N America and set up in Europe. 300,000 BC present day Red Fox emerges in Europe and spreads back to N America giving a whole new meaning to migrants
#Scotland #Migrants #WildlifePhotography
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
#Scotland #Migrants #WildlifePhotography
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
White-tailed Eagle Highland Scotland. Persecuted and gone from Scotland over 100 years ago, reintroduced from 1975 and now here to stay. People did both, sometimes they get it right.
#Scotland #birds #rewilding #WildlifePhotography #eagle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
#Scotland #birds #rewilding #WildlifePhotography #eagle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
November 17, 2024 at 4:56 PM
White-tailed Eagle Highland Scotland. Persecuted and gone from Scotland over 100 years ago, reintroduced from 1975 and now here to stay. People did both, sometimes they get it right.
#Scotland #birds #rewilding #WildlifePhotography #eagle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
#Scotland #birds #rewilding #WildlifePhotography #eagle
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Now you don't see me, now you don't....see me. Saxon Moth, Hyppa rectilinea. Scarce in the UK, more widespread in the Highlands. Master of camouflage.
#Scotland #Moths #WildlifePhotography
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
#Scotland #Moths #WildlifePhotography
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
November 15, 2024 at 4:35 PM
Now you don't see me, now you don't....see me. Saxon Moth, Hyppa rectilinea. Scarce in the UK, more widespread in the Highlands. Master of camouflage.
#Scotland #Moths #WildlifePhotography
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
#Scotland #Moths #WildlifePhotography
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
A simple question. You walk up to the water’s edge and see ten ducks on the surface. You make a noise and thirty fly away. How can this be? Meet the spirit bird, more than just a duck.
curaguardian.exposure.co/more-than-ju...
#Birds #Scotland #NaturePhotography #Wildlife
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
curaguardian.exposure.co/more-than-ju...
#Birds #Scotland #NaturePhotography #Wildlife
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
November 13, 2024 at 2:09 PM
A simple question. You walk up to the water’s edge and see ten ducks on the surface. You make a noise and thirty fly away. How can this be? Meet the spirit bird, more than just a duck.
curaguardian.exposure.co/more-than-ju...
#Birds #Scotland #NaturePhotography #Wildlife
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
curaguardian.exposure.co/more-than-ju...
#Birds #Scotland #NaturePhotography #Wildlife
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
Aerial view of the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) over Glen Convinth, Inverness-shire, Highland Scotland November 2024
#Scotland #Aurora #Landscape #NorthernLights #HighlandScotland
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
For more from Scotland www.curaguardian.com
#Scotland #Aurora #Landscape #NorthernLights #HighlandScotland
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
For more from Scotland www.curaguardian.com
November 13, 2024 at 1:13 PM
Aerial view of the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) over Glen Convinth, Inverness-shire, Highland Scotland November 2024
#Scotland #Aurora #Landscape #NorthernLights #HighlandScotland
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
For more from Scotland www.curaguardian.com
#Scotland #Aurora #Landscape #NorthernLights #HighlandScotland
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
For more from Scotland www.curaguardian.com
Ben Nevis, Beinn Nibheis - Cloudy Mountain, Mountain of Heaven, God's Mountain, Venomous Mountain. Highest in Scotland, highest in Britain. As many moods as the
country.
#Scotland #BenNevis #Landscape
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
For more from Scotland www.curaguardian.com
country.
#Scotland #BenNevis #Landscape
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
For more from Scotland www.curaguardian.com
November 13, 2024 at 1:05 PM
Ben Nevis, Beinn Nibheis - Cloudy Mountain, Mountain of Heaven, God's Mountain, Venomous Mountain. Highest in Scotland, highest in Britain. As many moods as the
country.
#Scotland #BenNevis #Landscape
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
For more from Scotland www.curaguardian.com
country.
#Scotland #BenNevis #Landscape
Photograph ©Nick Sidle
For more from Scotland www.curaguardian.com
Today is a very good day, however hard, to still believe that there is magic and good waiting for us somewhere in the world.
November 12, 2024 at 1:48 PM
Today is a very good day, however hard, to still believe that there is magic and good waiting for us somewhere in the world.