Evening Sparkle

The sparkle of the first leaves along the riverbank path, on a beautiful spring evening. In out-of-the-way places of the heart Where your thoughts never think to wander, This beginning has been quietly forming, Waiting until you were ready to emerge. For a long time it has watched your desire, Feeling the emptiness growing inside […]

Secret Path

A favourite path along the banks of the Spey near Aviemore. With much of Scotland seeing snow this last few days, here’s one from a local wander, taken last year when these snow patches were all that was left of a long winter.  Often there isn’t much colour about at this time of year, but […]

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 […]

Misty Landscape

Rothiemurchus and Glenfeshie hills from Craigellachie, Aviemore A freezing, misty morning, with the outline of the hills appearing above the cloud filling the valley lower down.  Meanwhile, a fox dug a den in a friend’s garden during the big freeze before Christmas.  Now, it is surrounded by snowdrops, all carefully arranged… “At that elusive moment […]

Loch Garten Light

Light on Loch Garten glinting through the trees. Can’t see the wood for the trees?  I liked this one of the intense light on the loch reflecting through the Caledonian Pine forest.  Whatever the weather its a lovely spot for a gentle walk, or just to gaze into the water. “The most beautiful thing we […]

Stone Circle

Loch Nan Carraigean Stone Circle, Strathspey This pine has grown up in the centre of the ancient stone circle, out on its own in the moorland.  I love the atmosphere in this photo, from the character and energy of the old pine  and the combination of winter colours. Being out in nature helps to ground […]

Snowy Birches

Snow covered Birch trees on the banks of the River Spey I thought we’d shift to Black and White for a change, with another image from last January’s amazing depth of snow and deep frost.  You can probably tell by now that I love the grace of the Birch! I appreciated this week’s quote as […]

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 […]

Misty Birch

Freezing mist in Craigellachie Birch wood Taken on one of those beautiful winter mornings with sunshine slanting low through the mist and heavy frost. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.” – John Muir “We sleep, […]

Snow…

Snow and sun Taken shortly before the low sun dipped behind the hill of Craigellachie, I loved the golden sparkle as the sunlight came through the snow and birch branches.  The air was so cold and dry that as snow fell from branches it created a cloud of shining diamonds. “A human being is a […]

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. […]

Icicles

Icicles with sunset glow Icicles outside my front door, as the deep freeze continues… “In the pursuit of knowledge every day something more is added. In the pursuit of Tao every day something is let go of” – Lao Tzu