Tag Archives: My Shetland

Spring Birds

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This time of year, the Dawn Chorus is very loud and tuneful.  So, I did a little experiment today – I decided to record all the birds I could hear in my garden by putting my phone on the bird table and leaving it there for 15 minutes.  Usually when I try to record and identify every bird, they all vanish, hence leaving the phone on the bird-table and walking away (hiding).

My first attempt I have decided to ignore on the grounds of a carrion crow being in Shetland are pretty much nil.  They are rare (and I would love one).

Screenshot

Screenshot

We do try to encourage birds in our garden. There is also a massive bird table above.

But there is also a massive cat below, though to be fair, I have never seen him bother with a bird – he prefers bigger prey like whitterit (stoats), rabbits and our neighbours (who I, funnily enough, haven’t seen recently).

I had a wander around the garden to admire plants actually growing.  A wonderful sight after such a god-awful winter.  We favour the wild garden look rather than cultivation.

After my wander on this gorgeous calm spring day, I had another shot at trying to record the birds.

With 12 breed of birds in just the garden and its environs, you can see why our Dawn Chorus is a loud experience, with everyone shouting their heads off trying to be heard!  It is very beautiful, though.

(is it just me, or do these two pigeons look like they are walking to work!)

Capturing our Inner Derp

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I know life here can look all glitz and glam, but believe me when I say it isn’t.  We are not The Beautiful People all the time.  No, honestly, we aren’t. I realise that’s difficult to believe.

Anyway, for every good photo, there are many that just don’t quite capture the moment.

I think Iacs is particularly good at finding his Inner Derp. It’s his skill.

Obviously there are no bad photos of Haakon. I couldn’t take one even if I tried.

↓ ↓ ↓ still Iacs ↓ ↓ ↓

Kolka is a close second.  She loves making faces the minute she sees me and my camera.

Pepper also  has moments of true revoltingness – the tideline of mud and the thing she is sniffing/thrown up. I refuse to investigate and I don’t want to know.

‘Ster is good value too on the derp front.

It is Monster obviously who gets the prize.

Sometimes I think my animal-family is revolting in their own unique way.  All except for Haakon.  Like I said, he is perfect, of course.

And possibly Lambie (because I am being kind as it was his birthday). Dear little boy.

The Spectacular Shetland Scenery

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To town for two hospital out-patients appointments.  I was in and out in under half an hour so rather than pootle about, I got straight back in the car and drove home. I just couldn’t be bothered with being around folk, etc. and there was a cruise ship moored in the harbour so I knew the Street would be humming.  I hope someone bought a sheep or ten.  That would be helpful.

But, on my home, I did take the time to stop off at a couple of viewing spots to get out of the car and take photos of the marvellous view.

This is Weisdale Voe.  Apparently (according to Wikipedia) it is 4 1/2 miles end to end and contains several small islands and islets – Greena, Flotta, Hoy, North Havra, Junk and the Hoggs of Hoy.  I cannot tell you which is which as I have only just found out their names.

Still it is a breathtaking view and I always maintain that when I am bored of this view, I will be bored of Shetland and must leave. But here, there is beautiful jaw-dropping scenery around every corner and I never cease to be amazed by it.

Another Voe, sitting just next to Weisdale Voe is Whiteness Voe. This is one of my lunchtime parking spots and also where all the cruise-ship coaches patiently wait so folk can get out and take photos of their fleeting time in Shetland before being whisked off to see another pile of historical rocks.

It was almost hot today (11°C) so I didnt take Pepper, much to her rage.  She and Ted had already been brought back home this morning by a rather furious OH who was on his way to work.

Obviously, I got the pathetic face treatment so I would feel guilty about leaving them all to fend for themselves.

But they got their tea instead so I am now forgiven.

Glorious Spring Day

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It’s been a glorious spring day.  Seeing the sun shine and beautiful blue sky really lifted my spirits. I think we can all agree, it has been a long difficult winter and it is a good feeling to be finally coming out of it.

The dogs and I all appreciated the fine weather as we went on our daily walk around the fields.

I saw my very first “Blugga flooer” (marsh marigold or kingcup) and soon the wet bits in my fields will be carpeted in them. They are quite a determined plant here and no one seems to eat them.

As I wanted to make the most of the sunshine, I went into the sheep’s field to sit down on a rock.  Pepper immediately jumped on my lap and Gussie wandered up for a chat.

It must be coming up to Gussie’s birthday too (well, in fact everyone’s birthdays).  The only date I actually know is Lambie’s.  Gussie is 2 years old now and probably the biggest sheep we have.  Not fat, just tall. There is a lot of Gussie.

He is one big sheep and for a sheep born on the hill, he is the tamest.

And when I went inside, I got shouted at. Monster could’ve come too, I told him.  Maybe next time.

Track Life

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Not much happening today.

Just the usual – Monster decided he wanted to rule the world so he sat on Donald Trump.

I am considering selling some of the Muscovy ducks.  We just have so many (mostly boys) and all the girls are wandering around looking for places to nest so there are bound to be more.

I shall be sad to see them go but needs must. I never wanted a large flock.

The Shetland ponies are all doing well.  Track life seems to have been an easy change for them and it suits them. They run up and down from one end to the other, galloping up the hills, giggling and having lots of fun.  I think it also helps that the weather has been quite nice recently.

Of course, I gave in and they now get hay in the evening out of the very-difficult-to-eat haynets (doubles, ie two together with tiny holes) and this a) slows them down and b) gives the grass a bit of a chance to grow.  I don’t see anyone getting fat on this regime but I worry about stomach ulcers, and am trying to keep the intake trickling in.

Anyway, the ponies are getting lots of exercise on the track, which is ideal.  However the constant poo-picking is very boring except I am currently listening to LOTR (onto the 3rd book now), so feel like a miserable put-upon hobbit while I traipse around the track.