Your pictures of Scotland: 11 - 18 April

A swan plays with a yellow toy duck in a loch - it is holding the toy in it's beak.David Crawford

David Crawford spotted this swan at Hogganfield Loch in Glasgow enjoying playing with a toy duck during the recent good weather.

A selection of your pictures of Scotland sent in between 11 and 18 April.

Send your photos to scotlandpictures@bbc.co.uk. Please ensure you adhere to the BBC's rules on photography that can be found here.

Please also ensure you take your pictures safely and responsibly.

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Four Mallards in a line on water - they appear to be admiring each otherLeslie Stuart

Leslie Stuart discovered four Mallards preening in a small loch while out for a walk in Dawsholm Park in Glasgow.

The Aurora Borealis casts a purple and green shade in the sky. A figure silhouetted in shadow has their arms in the air watching it, clearly excited. Jane Taylor

Jane Taylor captured this image of the Aurora Borealis earlier this week.

A cormorant (a black bird) looking upwards with water from a pond behind it Chris Shelbourn

This cormorant was snapped at Craiglockhart pond in Edinburgh by Chris Shelbourn

A sunset over water, with the sun casting an orange glow over the water.William Dickson

A sunset near Ballentrae was captured by William Dickson.

A dog sits on a paddleboard while in water. The picture has been taken from behind the dog, almost over his shoulder. Laura Docherty

Laura Docherty's dog had great fun enjoying a paddle out in the waters of Arisaig

A row of trees in Helensburgh, showing all the cherry blossom on them.Charlie McGinn

A row of trees in Helensburgh were full of cherry blossom, in this picture snapped by Charlie McGinn.

A sparrow hawk looks into the camera while sitting outside, holding something in its mouthGreg Miller

This sparrow hawk sat for a good half hour by Greg Miller's patio door enjoying a meal.

A waterfall inside a cave, with part of the cave lit by yellow lightSteffi Franke

Steffi Franke took this stunning look at a waterfall in Smoo Cave while on a birthday trip to Durness

Dean Village in Edinburgh as the sun sets over itGarry Lynch

Garry Lynch took this picture of Dean's Village in Edinburgh as the sun began to set.

Two seagulls are beak to beak while standing looking at each other.Emma Legge

Emma Legge spotted these lovely gulls by the River Esk on a sunny Sunday morning.

A melting snowman sitting on a rock, on green hills Liam Turbett

The rapidly changing nature of the Scottish seasons was spotted by Liam Turbett, when he saw a snowman on the slopes of the Five Sisters of Kintail

Two spring Labradors sitting on a bench looking at the camera Michael Rennie

Michael Rennie from Aberdeenshire was out for a walk with his dogs at Glen Tannar when he captured them looking content.

A water rail sits in a pool of water eating a tiny grub or caterpillar.Duncan Murdoch

Duncan Murdoch was delighted to spot a water rail - a secretive bird more often heard than seen - while out in Angus.

A dog stands in front of a loch on a sunny eveningYvonne Hamilton

Yvonne Hamilton's dog Dougal had a great time during the recent sunny spell, including this trip to Lochore Meadow in Fife.

Surfers practicing on the waves at a surf resort - the figures are silhouettes with the image in black and white. Ian McAteer

Ian McAteer and his wife were spending a weekend (last weekend) at the surf resort in Ratho when he took this image of surfers learning on the waves in the evening.

Pools of water among greenspace and hillsAmy Thornton

Amy Thornton took this image of the fairy pools on the Isle of Skye.

A highland cow presses its face towards the camera while chewing grass. Iona O'Brien

Susan O'Brien and her daughter Iona were visiting Blair Atholl Castle when this highland cow decided to say hello.

The Northern lights cast a green light over Wock harbour, while the bright lights of the town shine in the distancePaul Steven

The Northern lights shone brightly over Wick harbour in this snap from Paul Steven.

Loch Ness on a sunny day - the sun is shining down and reflecting on the water. A boat sits by the dock, with a sign saying BOAT TRIP on the walkway leading to itEmma Watson

Emma Watson was enjoying a beautiful sunny day at Loch Ness when she took this photo

The Gallery of Modern Art - a neoclassical building with large columns and a statue of the Duke of Wellington on a horse - on a wet night, with the reflection of the building visible in a puddle. Bill Cameron

The wet weather this week gave Bill Cameron the chance to take a picture of the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow reflected in a puddle

A dog sitting down outside on grass, looking at the sun rising in the distanceClaire Morrison

Claire Morrison and her dog took a moment to appreciate a beautiful sunrise while out for a walk in Clackmannanshire.

A view through a window of a sunny day outside, with Arthur's Seat in the distance - however two cats are taking up pat of the view, looking into the camera and seemingly looking for attention.Sarah Grossman

Sarah Grossman's view of Arthur's Seat was slightly obstructed by her cats getting involved in the picture.

A ferry lit up at night as it sails off, with the sun setting and an orange glow in the skyRichard Morris

Richard Morris was having a drink in the pub when he noticed the last ferry from Largs to Millport quite literally sailing into the sunset.

A silhouette of a woman and a dog on a beach. The dog is sitting down looking up at the womanSuzanne Lakie

Suzanne Lakie took this picture of her daughter Tilly and dog Loki at Gullane Beach, East Lothian.