The Forest Edge

Pine trees looming through thick mist and snow, Strathspey I took this a couple of years ago during a really hard winter spell.  It was hard work breaking trail on skis through deep fresh snow, up the trail to the forest edge.  I loved how the shapes of these big pines started to appear through […]

Ice Flower

Ice crystals up close These crystals were growing along the bank of a tiny frozen stream, taken lying down in the snow to be on eye-level with the surface. “All people who have developed the heart chakra and are in the habit of loving all beings, loving animals, loving nature, loving to give out love, […]

Snow Branches

Soft snow on birch branches, Craigellachie lochan, Aviemore I liked the tracery of these branches with their reflections, as the loch surface rapidly snowed over. Imbolc, or St Brigid’s Day, will be on Wednesday 1st or Thursday 2nd Feb (different traditions give different dates).  Traditionally it  marks the beginning of spring, falling approximately halfway between […]

Dipper

Dipper flying above the River Spey, with snowy reflections I was lucky to have the camera out and ready when this dipper flew past!  Only solid ice will prevent them from dipping under in search of food. Its been a stormy few days with rain, snow, wind, and rain again – in fairly equal quantities.  […]

Doune Farm

The farm at Doune of Rothiemurchus, by the river Spey, with the hill of Ord Ban, and the stormy Cairngorms behind. Taken yesterday from Craigellachie hill, behind Aviemore.  It started out as a perfect winter day with blue skies,  sunshine and frost, although by the time I was on Craigellachie there was a bitter wind […]

The edge of light

Birch and bracken, Craigellachie NNR Its been a very gloomy few weeks and I haven’t been out with the camera at all, so here’s one from the last days of autumn.  I was on Craigellachie reserve, high up on the (North-facing) slope where at that time of year it only receives direct sunlight for a […]

Through the mist

The Cairngorms from Aviemore.  Corrie Gorm (appearing behind) and Carn Eilrig (the pyramid-shaped hill) through the late afternoon mist. Happy New Year! … and welcome to 2012.  After all the speculation and hysteria about the ‘end of the world’ next December we are finally here.  As I am sure everybody on this list is aware, […]

Christmas Trees

Cairngorms from Rothiemurchus forest This image was taken at this time of year two years ago when it was minus 14C, towards the end of a long ski through the forest, with the snow catching the afterglow colours from the sunset.  This week, the recent snow and ice has stripped away and its been comparatively […]

Frost Needles

Frost needles on birch twig As I write this we have an inch of fluffy snow, on top of a layer of ice.  There was one morning during the week when we had sunshine and a crisp blue sky, with these needles of ice sprouting from every blade of grass and twig.  After an hour […]

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 […]

Stone circle moon

Moon at the stone-circle tree Winter has come.  After an incredibly stormy week for us I awoke to a half inch of snow this morning, and ice everywhere.   I took a walk out on the moor this afternoon, to get my feet in the snow, and went out to the ancient stone circle (actually a […]

Hare Tracks

Hare Tracks in spring snow, Monadliath mountains An image from this week last year, with deep snow and a surface of hoar-frost crystals sparkling and shimmering in the sun – perfect back-country ski conditions.  Hares had made tracks all over the moor on the edge of the woods, I loved the play of light and […]