Ice patterns

Ice patterns – toned black and white Although I have converted this photo to black and white and given it a toning effect, the colours are not that far off from the original, with warm sunset colours on the blue ice.  I liked the contrast at the edge of the unfrozen pools. We’ve had quite […]

Crazy Reflections

Loch Mallachie Reflections I loved these ‘crazy reflections’ taken last weekend, with the strong low sun creating golden ripples. It hasn’t been a photography week – November has returned to type, after the long settled spell, with a weekend of savage gales and downpours, and fresh snow on the hills this morning – when they […]

Sunset Lilies

Sunset reflections, the ‘lily loch’. After a heavy downpour, the sun came out for a half hour fling before sunset.  I just had time to get to this local loch to catch the reflections of the sunset clouds through the lilies.  The water was completely still until a (Mrs Mallard) duck took off in alarm, […]

Barrel Cactus

Barrel cactus flower, Arizona This was taken near  ‘Wet Beaver Creek’, in the high desert country south of Sedona.  I loved the colour of these flowers, especially in combination with the red rock earth.  There are hazards to getting this close-up to cactus  however – the photographer received an unexpected knee acupuncture… The Kogi and […]

Willow Catkins

Willow catkins, by the River Spey, Aviemore After last weekend’s spring weather we paid for it during the week with a rather chilly few days and  fresh snow on the hills.  However, today has been another perfect day. Perfect for gardening, for just being outside… I took an evening walk along the river bank, and […]

Moss

Moss ‘forest’ detail We’ve had a wonderful few days of tremendous spring sunshine, shorts weather, even here in the Highlands.  The daffs are finally all opening, trees are showing buds all over the place, and the garden birds are competing with each other to see which can steal the most finest-quality ‘nesting’ moss from my […]

Kilmartin Rock Art

Ancient circles, Kilmartin glen, Argyll, Scotland Wheels within wheels… Kilmartin features the most extensive group of prehistoric rock carvings in Scotland.   For previous Kilmartin images, see here. Specialists will continue to argue over the meanings of these carvings, but I thought this was a good image to mark today’s Spring  equinox when day and […]

Crocus

First crocus Its time for the annual crocus photo – after a few warm sunny spring-like days (and with a sharp frost too).  After a Scottish winter its good to see the first colour springing from the earth. “Innocence of eye has a quality of its own. It means to see as a child sees, […]

Hydrangea

Hydrangea backlit in winter sunlight It was Imbolc this week, or St Brigid’s day (traditionally at the start of February), marking the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, marking the start of spring.   There is noticeably more sunlight, when it shines.  That was after this week’s terrific storms, with broken trees  and […]

Spey Snow Reflections

Snow reflections on the banks of the River Spey, near Aviemore Taken during last January’s big freeze, with ice ‘pancakes’ drifting along on the current.  I loved the rich golden sunlight and the reflections this created with the ice. One of the themes I often come back to with my quotations is the nature of […]

Ice Sparkle

Sun sparkling on the edge of the ice Happy New Year!  May 2011 be a year of really positive change. On the subject of positive change, I’ve noticed many alternative energy developments recently, such as high efficiency solar cells coming to market, new hydrogen cells for electric vehicles with almost no emissions, and various other […]

Ice cascade

Ice build-up around a waterfall After many days at low temperature the splashes had built up this amazing sphere of ice around the cascade. “In Tibet we say that many illnesses can be cured exclusively by love and compassion.  These qualities are the ultimate source of happiness, and we need them in our innermost being. […]