Episode 33 - The Shetland Experience with Guest Rebecca Nason

The Shetland Islands, is an archipelago in Scotland and the most northerly point of the United Kingdom lying between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway. It is also one of the most incredible and important locations for breeding seabirds in the world. In the summer of 2023 both Rob and Josh visited these amazing islands and were captivated by their rugged beauty and the birds that breed there. The pair are joined by wildlife photographer Rebecca Nason who lives on the Islands and runs Shetland Seabird Tours and the Noss Boat with her partner Phil Harris. Rebecca shares her knowledge of the islands and their birds, and Rob and Joss recall their trips and experiences. This is a must listen episode as the three share some valuable insights on the location and its birds. Their love and enthusiasm for the islands makes for a very compelling listen that hopefully will inspire your own adventures.About Rebecca:Rebecca hails from a family of keen naturalists & globe trotters & can’t remember a time when she didn’t have a passion for wildlife & photography. She has an MSc in Conservation Management  & a 2:1 Hons degree in Geography & Environmental Studies. A varied career as a freelance ecologist & completely self-taught wildlife photographer, Rebecca also regularly guided wildlife tours in Shetland & overseas in locations including Sweden, Lesvos & Spitsbergen. Rebecca was Assistant Warden & Seabird Officer on Fair Isle for 2 years & has a passion for seabirds & cetaceans.Rebecca has excellent ornithological & communication skills & has worked in the tourism & conservation sectors throughout the last 20 years. She has been an award winning wildlife photographer for the last 12 years & an acclaimed wildlife photographic judge, for the prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year for 3 years before being a WildArt Photographer of the Year judge. She is keen to share her photographic passion with our passengers on our bespoke tours, so they too can enjoy the numerous photographic opportunities whilst aboard the Noss Boat.Rebecca has worked for several ecological consultancies carrying out bird survey work on both land & sea. She is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management  & a full committee member, treasurer & membership secretary of the Shetland Bird Club. Rebecca is the first woman to be invited to join the Shetland Rarities Committee in Summer 2024.https://www.shetlandseabirdtours.com/https://www.instagram.com/puffinpassion/https://www.instagram.com/shetlandseabirdtours/About the Hosts:Rob Read has spent many years as a photography competition organiser; firstly as a founding director of, and primary organiser of Bird Photographer of the Year for the first five years of the competition, and more recently as founder, owner, and organiser of WildArt Photographer of the Year. Josh Galicki has been entering competitions for many years and has had significant success in many, including Bird Photographer of the Year. He is now part of the judging team for WildArt Photographer of the Year.Connect with the Podcast Instagram Account and Facebook Page using the following links:https://www.instagram.com/wildphotopodcast/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570623586727Get in touch with us directly by sending an email to [email protected] out more about your host’s and view their work on their Instagram profiles:Rob - https://www.instagram.com/robreadphotos/Josh - https://www.instagram.com/galicki_photography/The WildArt Photographer of the Year competition website can be found here - https://www.wildartpoty.com/