Fair Isle’s Wildest Welcome: Feathers, Fleece, and Four Paws
Fair Isle Walkabouts
Where Mother Nature and Father Time work their magic.
"Travelling is like flirting with life, and life is flirting back."
A Rural Experience Does Your Soul Good
Having lived in urban areas, in busy cities like New York and Los Angeles, where nature is tamed and does not take an important place in daily life, a rural experience does your soul good.
One Breath at a Time
There are subtle places and glimpses of beauty, mystery, and adventure here on this remote outpost of an island. There are many gifts for us as we prove willing to explore its magnificent diversity.
Ok enough of the flowery language, it's just a so fish-out-of-water feeling to be here. There is an endless prospect of magic and beauty in this harsh environment.
Island Perspectives
Island Perspectives
Every angle reveals new beauty on this remote Scottish outpost.
Migration Patterns
Witnessing the endless dance of species across seasons.
Coastal Magic
Where land meets sea in spectacular fashion.
The Peaceful Mind of a Keen Observer
All that is required here is the peaceful mind of a keen observer. That's why there are so many birders, watching the migrations of a variety of species.
The Fulmar Chronicles
Much like babies learning to walk, learning to fly is a process for baby birds. This week it has been the fulmars, the babies learning to fly. But with no wind, they appear wounded in action. These are just growing pains, a temporary grounding as they learn to fly.
The main source of motivation for baby birds is food. The baby bird knows nothing more than that at regular intervals their mother will come and drop some food off in their mouth. Slowly the mother bird will stand farther and farther away from the nest, forcing the baby bird to come out of the nest in order to get food.
The Fulmar's Secret Weapon
When the fulmar senses danger or sees a predator, it does not run or hide. It vomits, and not just "I'm scared" throw up or your average run-of-the-mill stomach flu. No, the fulmar projectile vomits an acidic solution at its predators up to 5 feet away.
Related to the massive albatross, the fulmar is a gull-like bird that nests on rocky cliff edges. Don't get too close, though. It spits a foul-smelling oil at intruders. We learned about these fascinating creatures from the Game Wardens: Georgia, Alex, and Dan.
Fulmar Adventures
The Fair Isle Paradox
We feel connected here, and the truth of the matter is, when we leave this place, we feel disconnected. And that is good too, because when we return, we appreciate what we have had, which is an authentic, ecstatic life of rural life on a croft farm.