Wednesday 30 December 2020

A Shetland Winter

Always to get out for a walk during winter and the weather has been very kind to us in Shetland, just a bit of ice about but only a light covering of snow before Christmas. The weather has been a lot better than down in England

On this trip i was down at St Ninian's when the Budge family started to drive the sheep that had been on St Ninian's isle across the mile ling tombolo. The quads helped the three sheep dogs


Of course there is always one that doesn't want to go across and this one came to check me out

eventually it was caught and lifted onto the back of a quad before being taken up the Bigton farm

The beach is ever changing reclaiming bit but at the same time revealing its beauty




 

A local walk down to Sandsayre produced a rough sea and a double rainbow, always nice against a stormy sky


The covid cases are on the rise in Shetland with 36 recent cases, around the north and some in Lerwick. Still in level 3 as of today. Luckily we have lots of open spaces to go into

Wishing everyone a better New Year- stay safe

Thursday 24 December 2020

Shetland Christmas

Well what a year and its not finished yet. The virus has been the biggest problem as we are due to move into level 3 loch down on Boxing Day. There has been a couple of cases in Shetland during the past few days and oddly enough HMS Northumberland which had docked in Lerwick a few times has now reported cases and is due back in Plymouth , could they be related?




I have been unable to do any photography courses for most of the year and its looking doubtful in the early part of next year, may be until most people have had the injection. This was being administered in Shetland with care homes getting the first run. 

Still had lots of time for photography and there has been some great light, even this morning as the sun was rising over Sandwick.



Shetland Aurora Hunter which i started just over 4 years ago on Facebook is nearing 5,000 members and it just shows how much interest there is in the night sky and we have had a good run of Aurora these last few nights, good to see the Moon as well.


Christmas is happening and the virus cannot stop it thank goodness so have a good one. Santa has been round today checking on his route for tonight

We have had a light covering of snow early on but this has more or less gone with all this salt in the air it never lasts long. Cannot remember last time it snowed at Christmas.







Anyway thanks for supporting my blogs, please join Shetland Aurora Hunter on facebook

shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk

shetlandsun.blogspot.co.uk

are just a few and there are links on these and this site to my other blogs. Speak soon






Saturday 31 October 2020

Storm in Shetland


Before Storm Aiden hit Shetland i managed to get down to Scatness in the sun. The sea had been whipped up by a gale a day before but the sea was not as spectacular as expected

Looking across to Sumbugh Hotel
Looking south as the sun was setting with foam flying about


Waves coming about 1/2 way up the cliffs at Scatness










Dramatic lighting over the bolder strewn beach

The following day the storm hit with winds in excess of 60mph and heavy rain as well

The Aurora has shown well , join Shetland Aurora Hunter for more information
 

Tuesday 27 October 2020

Lerwick in autumn

Its always good to get into Lerwick, lot to see and photograph even if no boats have come in

No body about when i took Jimmy Perez's house, famed for being used in the BBC1 drama `Shetland'. They are supposed to be back early next year to start filming again.


Like the top of this gate down at the Lodberries, anchors galore

The Doctors house



Looking back towards Lerwick harbour


With the sun setting the reflection can be seen on the clouds in the east over Bressay

Dramatic clouds looking SE with the Lerwick lifeboat in the foreground and Seal & Seabird cruising in the background


 Still a few people moving to Shetland, although there are less job opportunities now with Scatsta closing, Moorfield Hotel burnt to the ground and several hotels laying staff off.

If you believe Viking energy, jobs will be created as they build the massive windfarm that most locals don't want and are completely ignored. Already problems as they pollute a SSSI Loch near the half way house.

We are seeing lots of good Auroras, join us on facebook at Shetland Aurora Hunter for photos and latest information