My interest in birds has peaked again as I noticed, living in the stable, a blackbird (male) who has random white feathers.

I often find him in there.

But the whole white feather in his tail is what caught my attention.

I shall try hard to keep him safe from Pepper and Monster.

Apparently it is quite common for blackbirds to have the odd white feather, but I think this is incredibly special and I have never seen this before (possibly because I wasn’t really looking).

According to the RSPB – “Leucism (abnormal white or pale plumage due to a lack of melanin pigment) can occur in any bird species but does seem to be particularly common in Blackbirds. It is caused by a genetic mutation so it’s not unusual to find several affected birds in the same area, they are probably related.” 

So maybe there will be more.  We always have some blackbird couples around.

These past few weeks, I have also been trying to photograph the visiting Waxwings with absolutely no success.  A friend messaged me that they had a couple so I immediately drove over to see if they were still there.

Success!

Such a pretty little bird and they will over-eat if they possibly can.

So I spent the morning creeping around with my camera, hoping they wouldn’t fly away, which they constantly did.

But my friend had the “Hey-Waxwings-there-are-apples” call on his telephone and he kept playing this over and over again, while I stalked the birds around the outside of the house, using the walls as cover.

According to my research (Google), I think these are “Bohemian Waxwings” that come over from Scandinavia for food – berries and apples.

They are very sociable little birds who like a good argument!

I took this photo for comparison of size.

It was a great morning and I also saw a Blackcap (so I am reliably informed).

We’ve had some fairly spectacular skies recently.  Although usual for this time of year, I do love the beautiful expanse of Shetland sky and, you know me, I am always on the look out for a good photo.

This is the sunrise from my bedroom window this morning 07:45.

Then around two o’clock this afternoon.

And the last glimpse of the sun (a few nights back).  Shetland is breath-taking.

Meanwhile, the view from the backdoor two night’s ago.

Not bad, eh?

(though I realised the trees have grown a bit this year so I had to go and find a better spot in front of them.  Obviously I trudged out in my bedroom slippers, of course. I did regret that choice).

And then there was an immense green glow around West North West.

Once they had died down, I went to run my bath and off the Mirrie Dancers (Shetland dialect for Northern Lights) went again.

So this is the view from the bathroom window!

Apparently they may appear tonight so I am planning to get my real Northern Light watching kit together – wellies, fingerless gloves, warm coat and a proper camera on a tripod.  All these photos are with my phone perched on a fence-post, which is not ideal.

On Friday evening I went with OH to the 2023 Shetland Craft Fair at the Clickimin Leisure Complex.  I had a quick perusal but left without buying much – mostly because I could not do my shopping in secret and OH is not an enthusiastic shopper.

So, this morning, hoping the fair would be fairly empty, I returned with all the time in the world and two like-minded friends.

The annual Craft Fair is organised by Shetland Arts & Crafts Association – showcasing “unique woodcraft, knitwear, textiles, fine art and more. Inspired by Shetland’s dramatic scenery, heritage and culture, Shetland Arts and Crafts producers offer a unique and diverse range of crafts, from the islands’ traditional knitwear designs, handed down through generations, to more modern and highly original craft work.”

All I can say is wow, and I got much of my Christmas shopping done too but no, sadly, no one is receiving a beautifully crafted Hardanger fiddle this year!

I had to physically stop myself from buying Christmas presents for myself!

But I might have added to my “secret soap stash” just because lovely soap is my luxury and a necessity.

And, yes, I possibly got a few edible things for later.

I even found a well-made klibber so if you’re interested in buying one, let me know and I will pass your details onwards.

These are called “creepies” – a traditional milking stool or to creep nearer to the fire.

And of course Shetland Reel gin – free samples – and I might’ve had a few for my breakfast!

When I looked at my watch, I suddenly saw that we had been there three hours.  A perfect way to spend a Sunday morning, drinking free samples of gin and shopping!  My idea of heaven.

I think the quote ““Just because you can doesn’t mean you should” comes to mind.

So I did and Monster loved it…… (so, shoot me!)

Out and about my daily dog walk this morning, I decided to go and see the sheep in their natural habitat.  They come up for their breakfast in the shed and then return to whichever field they chose for the day.  That’s the routine.

Lambie first, as usual.

Lambie with his Hallowe’en face.  He is wierd.

‘Ster looking a bit gormless.

He really doesn’t photograph very well and he’s wearing shrubbery.

Maggie demanding whatever I had in my pocket – she knew there was a Pasture Cookie.

Yes, she found it.

(An Interlude – little Pepper with Ted in the distance.  While I talk to the sheep, they do their own thing.)

And, back we go to the sheep.

Harrel-the Barrel on his own.

He was quietly working on his Winning Smile.

And dear Edna

She may be ancient and have no teeth but she is looking so good now.

And this is usually as close as I ever get to Madge, these days.

However, she put on her Brave Pants (possibly size XXXXXXXXXL) to come and see what I had brought.

Once taken, off she went again.  This is my normal view of Madge.

And lastly, the luscious ‘Bert who, in this photo, doesnt look at all like my usual ‘Bert.

No, my bad, there he is!  Gorgeous, obviously.

So the dogs and I wandered the fields and the sun sort of shone on the sheep which proves they are all very special and I am very lucky.