1st December 2013 the first Sunday in Advent and the start of my Advent Calendar.
I began 2013 with a post on the Year of Natural Scotland and have continued this theme throughout the year. So as our celebration of the flora and fauna of Scotland grows to a close I am going to use the device of an advent calendar to feature more of the wildlife of the Outer Hebrides.
![Primroses with Lesser Celandine](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/primrose-celandine.jpg?resize=536%2C535&ssl=1)
![Blue-tailed Damselfly Ishnura elegans](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/blue-tailed-damselfly.jpg?resize=422%2C535&ssl=1)
![Thong Weed (Himanthalia elongata)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/thong-weed-himanthalia-elongata.jpg?resize=356%2C536&ssl=1)
![Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/foxglove-digitalis-purpurea.jpg?resize=356%2C536&ssl=1)
![Ramalina farinacea](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ramalina-farinacea.jpg?resize=536%2C356&ssl=1)
![Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/episyrphus-balteatus-02-copy.jpg?resize=536%2C358&ssl=1)
![Kelp - laminaria seaweed](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/kelp.jpg?resize=536%2C356&ssl=1)
![Burgundy Bonnet Mycena haematopus](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/mycena-haematopus.jpg?resize=536%2C389&ssl=1)
![Angle Shades](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/angle-shades.jpg?resize=378%2C536&ssl=1)
![Long-headed Poppy (Papaver dubium)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/long-headed-poppy-papaver-dubium.jpg?resize=514%2C536&ssl=1)
![Bombus lucorum (White-tailed Bumblebee)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/bombus-lucorum-white-tailed-bumblebee.jpg?resize=536%2C367&ssl=1)
![Golden Lichen (Xanthoria)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/golden-lichen-xanthoria.jpg?resize=536%2C329&ssl=1)
![Seaside Grimmia (Schistidium maritimum)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/schistidium-maritimum.jpg?resize=536%2C350&ssl=1)
![Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/bog-myrtle-myrica-gale-03.jpg?resize=536%2C360&ssl=1)
![Dark Green Fritillary](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/dark-green-fritillary.jpg?resize=511%2C536&ssl=1)
![Plums and Custard (Tricholomopsis rutilans)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tricholomopsis-rutilans.jpg?resize=536%2C387&ssl=1)
![Common Twayblade (Neottia ovata)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/common-twayblade.jpg?resize=275%2C536&ssl=1)
![Capside Bug (Lygocoris pabulinus)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/lygocoris-pabulinus-02.jpg?resize=452%2C536&ssl=1)
![Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/common-cottongrass-eriophorum-angustifolium-01-copy.jpg?resize=381%2C536&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/coprinopsis-radiata-01-copy.jpg?resize=354%2C536&ssl=1)
![Mottled Grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix-maculatus)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/myrmeleotettix-maculatus.jpg?resize=448%2C536&ssl=1)
![Beautiful Yellow Underwing-0](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/beautiful-yellow-underwing-03-copy.jpg?resize=536%2C476&ssl=1)
![Spring Sedge (Carex caryophyllea)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/carex-caryophyllea.jpg?resize=536%2C437&ssl=1)
![Scurfy Deceiver (Laccaria proxima)](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/laccaria-proxima.jpg?resize=536%2C320&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/ardivachar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ashevak-birds-sun.jpg?resize=350%2C225&ssl=1)
It always amazes me how prolific the primroses are on my Mum’s island and for so many months of the year too. I look forward to seeing more local delights over the next few weeks – thanks for this.
I was surprised to discover that primroses are native here and that they grow prolifically in the cottage garden. They may look a little ragged at times but flower for most of the year. Amazing for such a delicate flower.
This is a lovely idea Christine. I look forward to “tomorrow”!
Thank you Cathy. Advent is about anticipation so we will see what tomorrow brings.
Beautiful idea.
Thank you. I always loved Advent Calendars as a child. On dark winter mornings it was always a great joy to open the window and see the next picture. Anticipation is all!
I have enjoyed the advent calendar so much Christine! Thank you!
Thank you Cathy – Happy Christmas