The Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) is an interesting Arctic bird, which superficially resemble seagull, but is in fact related to the Petrels. Unlike the Seagulls, the Fulmars have stiff wing action when they fly.
On the Shetland Islands I found them to be abundant, mostly around places with safe from cats and rats cliffs and rocks. The subspecies I filmed is Fulmarus glacialis auduboni (the one living closer to the North Pole is F. g. glacialis) and the morph is the light one, which is typical for this subspecies.
It is only few seconds long video, but that was all I managed to snatch of the Shetland Wren after chasing them for 3 months. Its not that they are particularly uncommon, but they move a lot and normally while I'm getting my camera out they are gone and I feel really unlucky with them.
So the Shetland Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes zetlandicus) is not a separated species of wren, but rather endemite subspecies living on the Shetland Islands. There is also another subspecies living on the Fair Isle, but I didn't had to go there and missed the opportunity to see it. And as the Wikipedia says the differences from the more common T. t. troglodytes are its darker and more rufous-brown colouring, with a heavily barred underside, the barring extending from belly to breast and the bill is stouter and longer and it has stronger legs. An estimate of the population, from the start of the 21st century, was of 1500–3000 breeding pairs.
Some video clips from the Magura Cave. Its pretty big one with 2.5km (1.6 mi) total length. It is in the form of a passage and when somebody enters from one end exits through the other. It is interesting because contains human remains from about 40 000 years ago and was home for some of the last Neanderthals. Also it has inside prehistoric wall paintings made of guano and carbon dated from 11 000 to 8 000 years ago. And particularly interesting for me are some of the depictions of Ostrich and Giraffe-like animals made about 11 000 years ago. I made some research and couldn't find anything like that living at the time in the area or even Europe in general. Strangely enough this issue was not researched and very few people even paid attention. I guess these that know that giant birds haven't lived among the early Europeans are different people from these that analyse ancient paintings or with other words Palaeontologists don't mix with Archaeologists. Also there are depictions of mushrooms, so the use of the magic ones is not out of question. The Sun-like paintings have corresponding number of rays and lines and suggest early attempts for creating calendars.
All that was amazing, but there were a vandalised paintings and rocks from the time when the cave was freely open for anybody. Nowadays one can enter alone after paying small fee, but generally the halls with the paintings are visited with guides.
TLDR Big cave with prehistoric wall paintings. If you visit Bulgaria one of the top 10 things to see.
Entrance of the Magura cave
Stairs in the Magura cave
First hall in the Magura cave. Tribe of 300 prehistoric people lived here. Remains of Cave Bear, Cave Hyena aand other prehistoric animals were found. Scientist say that Neanderthals lived in the cave, too.
Stalagmites in the Magura cave
Vandals defacing and destroying cultural heritage of the humanity in the Magura cave
The walks are well lit and marked in the Magura cave
Interesting formation in the Magura cave, looks like stalagmite
View from the walk in Magura
Stalagmite in Magura
Cool passages in the Magura cave
Nearly vertical drop in the middle of the cave after the paintings hall section
Entrance of the "Art Gallery" in the Magura cave
One of the most interesting prehistoric paintings in the Magura cave. Dated 10-11 000 years old, depicts hunting scene and Ostrich- or "big bird"- like animal, which shouldn't have existed at that time and place.
The animal depicted in this prehistoric scene even without the "bird" are interesting and strange enough
Prehistoric symbols and paintings in the Magura cave
Motive depicting two figures, probably man and woman, repeated often on the walls of the Magura cave
Possible depiction of prehistoric calendar in the Magura cave
Prehistoric symbols in the Magura cave
More prehistoric symbols and paintings in the Magura cave
Paintings and symbols in Magura cave
More paintings in Magura cave
View of the passage to the hall with the wall paintings in Magura
The exit of the Magura cave
View of the Lake Rabisha from the exit of the Magura cave
I recorded a bit of the work of a Moroccan woodturner. It's interesting because they work with hand-turned bow lathes and use very curious technique which relies on the foot nimbleness. Seems their craft was preserved nearly unchanged since the ancient times, probably as far as the antique period, when these artisans were probably common sight across the Mediterranean countries.
People doing this can be found across the medinas (old towns) of Morocco, but predominantly in Marrakesh, were nowadays their trade is mostly tourist attraction and they earn their living selling souvenirs. Nonetheless it's an interesting craft and technique which should be preserved as part of the cultural heritage of the humanity.
Also I observed other non-touristic places, crafts and activities in the country, which I think should be brought to the public attention, too.
Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe. Note how the chisel is supported with the toes.
Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe. Drilling hole for neck string.
Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe
Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe. Polishing the souvenir with a handful of wood flakes.
Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe
Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe
Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe. Polishing the souvenir with a handful of wood flakes.
The final product of the woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe
The final product of the woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe
While walking around in Bulgaria, I spotted this typical for the country fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош). They look like the eel traps and are made in similar manner but are not so elongated and are flattened. Many years ago I've been thought how to wove them as part of my family tradition and in some of the next videos I'll show how it is done. In general I am fascinated with the this type of traditional crafts and primitive technologies and I'd like to see everyone of us sharing the knowledge.
The reason to visit again Bulgaria is, because the NHS traumatology didn't have free slot until the end of October and because my injured foot was not deemed life-threatening I couldn't get emergency treatment. So after 3 months waiting, the situation started getting worse and I was barely able to walk and I went in Bulgaria, where I got something called "free check", which basically means paid service for people who doesn't live in the country and are not insured in any way. The whole thing lasted less then an hour, and cost me the grand total of £20, which includes x-ray, couple of control checks and scheduled up to 5 shock-wave or whatever are called procedures and after 3 days I could walk again and the pain in greatly diminished. So if anybody has issues with the health, don't wait and run to some other country, I can confirm that the quality of the health care in East Europe and the Mediterranean countries like Spain is much higher.
Bulgarian fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош)
Bulgarian fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош)
Bulgarian fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош)
Bulgarian fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош)
Bulgarian fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош)
