Quieter times in Shetland

 Great news, after selling out in 12 weeks a new batch of Shetland Aurora Books are on the way. If you would like a copy you can collect if in Shetland, otherise it is £16 +£4.75 postage and packing for UK only. Contact me for rates outside UK

Work looks as though it may start in Fair isle next year on rebuilding the bird observatory and also a grant has been promised for a new boat. The one below is the Good Sheperd IV

Light at this time of year can be dramatic as shown here with a view over Scatness towards Fitfull Head

but taken with a telephoto lens from the Sumburgh Head road, just near the quarry

Its been a busy few weeks but now most of the birders have returned south leaving a quiet environment, just as I like it

It doesn't happen too often but this plane is due to take off on the north - south runway

More dramatic skies over Spiggie in the south mainland taken from Noss farm

Hope you managed to watch the BBC 1 Drama Shetland which started last Wednesday at 9pm. Managed to watch two filming sessions for series 7 due to air next year

Shetland up north

Its always good to get up north, this time to North Roe

I like humorous items like this fence post

Great to see this house painted in a sea theme, this is Kenny's house

A lot of Red phone boxes have now been adopted by the local community for £1, most turned into libraries.

Seat anyone

another fence post

aircraft in the garden

Tesco a long way a way, best go by boat

Viking wind farm destroying our landscape. I gather because of the concret shortage they have been importing concrete from Ireland

Fog is a common problem in summer, often stopping flights in and out of Sumburgh

Lots of fields now have grass cut for silage leaving nice patterns on the rig

The heather has been very colourful this year, not had hardly any rain over the past two months

 Lots of visitors up, more caravettes and caravans this year with covid stopping a lot of accomodation from openning fully.

Filming for the 7th Shetland BBC1 drame series has started but some of the crew have now gone down with covid symptoms . They are due to start filming in Sandwick this Thursday

Grutness, Shetland

Grutness is one of our favourite places to visit in the south mainland

Hidden away is the sunked garden on the way up to Sumburgh head full of colour in summer

lots of gardens cannot grow many plants because of the strong winds and salt in the air, but this one is sheltered even though its very close to the sea. Good for migrant birds in spring and autumn

The freshwater pool at Grutness holds many waders and duck as well as the watering hole for the several shetland ponies

working our way passed the garden and up to the lower side of Compass Head

Looking out over the boulders towards the point, a nesting place for Common Gull and Arctic Terns while in winter small flocks of Snow Bunting are usually seen

Looking north from Compass Head with Sumburgh hotel on the left and beyond the beach on the right, Sumburgh airport

Thanks for looking at my blog, have a happy Christmas and plenty more to see in 2020. Why not check out my other photography

www.amazingshetland.co.uk ( Canvas and prints for sale)

shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk (Shetland wildlife)
shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk ( Aurora, milky way and other night sky objects)
ww2preserved.blogspot.co.uk (WW2 in Shetland)

On facebook
Shetland Aurora Hunter
Shetland Clouds
Shetland WW2 Stories