Port Logan, on the Rhins of Galloway peninsula, is sandy bay backed by a stony beach and sand dunes, that takes the full force of the wind and weather sweeping in from the North Channel and Atlantic beyond.
Not, maybe, the kind of place you'd choose to stop on a wet and windy day, but we noticed some interesting-looking flowers in the dunes as we drove by, so stopped to investigate - and we were glad that we did.
When we reached the beach this ringed plover flew off and settled a few yards away, obviously trying to distract our attention....
... and we soon discovered why ..... this wonderfully camouflaged clutch of eggs, laid in a depression in the sand.
But it was the pyramidal orchids - dozens of them - that had first attracted our attention....
Most were the typical deep pink-flowered form but ....
... this one stood out - a much paler pink-flowered plant.
On this coast the weather changes rapidly and within a few minutes the sun broke through, coaxing out the bumblebees to feed on the sea bindweed blooms.
Unlike the climbing bindweed species that plague gardens, this species stays close to the ground, sheltered from the drying wind and conserving water in its succulent, heart-shaped leaves.
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