The Bird Watcher in the Shetlands, with Some Notes on Seals—and Digressions

"The Bird Watcher in the Shetlands, with Some Notes on Seals—and Digressions" by Edmund Selous is a captivating exploration of the Shetland Islands through the eyes of a naturalist in the early 1900s. The book is a mix of travelogue and bird study, where Selous describes his time watching the birds, mostly terns and gulls, and thinking about being alone and the wonder of nature. The story starts with a lively picture of the island, full of activity but also a feeling of being separate. Selous vividly portrays the interactions between these creatures, like how young terns act around their parents, alongside observations on the seals in this remote environment, creating a rich tapestry of natural observations and personal reflections.