Mixed Up

A mixed day weather wise. Started off very wet, then the sun came out, then the fog rolled in, then it cleared to cloudless skies. That's Shetland for you. The Crossbills remain up at Skaw and another attempt with the Red-throated Divers produced  the shots below. Still didn't come as close as i would have liked, maybe next time?

Cold Cold Summer

Nothing like summer weather today, a cold strong wind and rain. Summer eh! No sign from what looking i did around Brough of any Crossbills, but the duo remain at Skaw along with the Chiffchaff. The Houb looks as good a place as anywhere for something new to crop up, not today though. A portlandica type Arctic Tern has been around a few days and 2 Sanderling were present on the beach.

More, More, More

A glorious summers day with blue skies and warmth! Spent the morning and early afternoon playing catch-up to John Laurie on the golf course, though i did win 1 hole (just). The Crossbills were still showing in the plantation, though (believe it or not) were no way as accommodating as yesterday. I don't apologise for the amount of images here. I could post a lot more.

For anybody with any passing interest in calls and sonograms below is a sonogram taken from the juvenile and very kindly constructed by Dougie. I have no idea what it means but you may!

Move Closer

Another attempt with the Red-throated Divers failed again today, but 2 very accommodating Crossbills in the plantation at Skaw more than made up for it.

Long Way From Home

This nest and lone egg was found on-board one of the Pelagic fishing boats that had been away for work in Denmark. My egg id skills are not up to much so any ideas?

Here Comes The Sun

The doom and gloom of yesterday was banished today with relatively warm sunshine and blue skies, at last. With the conditions i decided to try  the Red-throated Divers again, unfortunately they decided to keep their distance only coming within 10 metres of the shore. The Dunlin were around again shepherding their brood of 6 chicks around, and this Arctic Skua seemed content with my presence drinking from the loch.

Strange Brew

 Laughing or in shock?

Well 'they think its all over' were the immortal words back in '66'. Well it is all over now, with probably the worst England display i have ever seen. Even if Lampard's goal was allowed we never deserved to win and quite frankly i am glad. A probable match-up in the quarter's with Argentina would have been, well i would like to say embarrassing but i have just witnessed that. All these so called 'great players', the Premier League's cream? I don't think so. A quick squad analysis.

• David James (Portsmouth (who were relegated)) - England's best player but too old.
• Ashley Cole (Chelsea) - Probably one of the best left backs in the world, but he cant do it alone.
• John Terry (Chelsea) - Doesn't look the same player since the captains armband was taken away.
• Matthew Upson (West Ham(nearly relegated)) - Scored a goal, conceded 1-2-3-4? Slow and crap.
• Glen Johnson (Liverpool) - For me the worst player for England this world cup.
• James Milner (Aston Villa) - No crosses? Poor. Will be a good England player, one day.
• Frank Lampard (Chelsea) - Awesome for club, but cant perform on the top stage.
• Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) - As above and not an England captain.
• Gareth Barry (Man City) - Looked laboured. Lost position too much and was at fault for 4th goal.
• Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) - Awesome for club overrated for England. Awful.
• Jermain Defoe (Spurs) - Looked bright(ish) about in the 18 yard box, other than that did nothing.

       The rest.

• Robert Green (West Ham(nearly relegated)) - Made a calamitous mistake and paid for it.
• Emile Heskey (Wigan) - A striker that doesn't score goals? He wouldn't make a Scotland squad. Joke.
• Ledley King (Spurs) - A good half season but plagued with back problems, we got no fit defenders?
• Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City) - He cant cross a ball for City, why would it be any different?
• Aaron Lennon (Spurs) - A good season but like above he cant cross. Headless chicken springs to mind.
• Joe Cole (Chelsea) - Given no time.
• Jamie Carragher (Liverpool) - Should have stayed retired.
• Peter Crouch (Spurs) - England's best striker. FACT. No game time.

      Who we didnt see.

• Michael Carrick (Man Utd) - Thank god we didnt see him on the pitch.
• Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa) - Had a good season, shame he's a left back.
• Joe Hart (Man City) - England's no1 in waiting and easily the best english keeper in the Premier League.
• Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd) - Injured most of the season but still gets picked, what a waste.
• Michael Dawson (Spurs) - Brought in for Ferdinand and for me ahead of King and Upson.

With the likes of Adam Johnson who had a stunning baptism in the Premier League, Theo Walcott just had to go and Roger Johnson having a eye catching season for Birmingham surely its time to completely change it. Stop this group of elite players picking themselves and lets use the best players in the League. Fabio will walk, so lets hope we can get an Englishman back in charge. Ah well heres to the Euro's in 2012.