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
Tag: winter
Monadliath Pine
Monadhliath Pine A lonesome pine, above the main treeline, with the view of the Cairngorms from the Monadliath mountains, Strathspey. High up on the hills on my skis, on a perfect surface of hoar-frost crystals sparkling in the intense sunshine – a perfect winter’s day. “We are like islands in the sea, separate on the […]
Winter reflections
Lily loch reflections, late winter Its been grey and dismal all week, so here’s an image from last year. I love the rich colour reflections across the Lily Loch. “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that, because what the world needs is […]
Snow Birch
Snow Birch, Craigellachie National Nature Reserve, Aviemore Another image from New Year, at the treeline of the birch wood on Craigellachie hill, on a day of deep frost and sparkling air. At the time I was amazed how deep the snow was, not realising how much more we would get over the next week! I […]
In the mist
In the mist… Pine silhouettes Early afternoon, on skis in the Monadhliath near Aviemore. I hoped that the mist would lift, as there was almost blue sky above, but as I approached the big pines the mist closed in further, giving me time for a few shots before they faded away… “The greatest healers who […]
Characterful Pine, Glenmore
Characterful Pine, Rothiemurchus woods, near Aviemore. One from the last fortnight when the snow was still fresh and beautiful! The slow thaw continues, but we still have some deep snow in the woods making it very difficult to walk anywhere. Footpaths are icy and treacherous, off the paths there is still deep and heavy snow. […]
Ice Floes, River Spey
Sunset light on the River Spey near Aviemore. Our Scandinavian conditions continue… taken this afternoon on a ski along the banks of the Spey, with the sunlight creating these beautiful snowy reflections. A constant flow of ice “pancakes” went drifting by, as the river starts to freeze after another week of constant low temperatures. We […]
Freezing Spires, Loch Morlich
Freezing Spires – Loch Morlich, Glenmore. Taken a few days ago just before New Year, on a day of sparkling frost crystals and fantastic air clarity with a daytime high temperature of -9C. The loch was completely frozen over (and perfectly skiable…) except for the outflow, pictured here. The surface was steaming like a hot […]
Crescent moon and afterglow, midwinter
Crescent moon and sunset afterglow, midwinter. Taken while cross-country skiing out in the woods near Aviemore. Although it was long after sunset (about mid-afternoon…) the sky was bright and the snow reflecting the pinks and purples lit my way home. The Highlands have been in a Scandinavian weather system all week, with temperatures down to […]
Sunset on Ice
Sunset on Ice. Loch Insh, Strathspey. After several sub-zero days the ice had built up, with shoreline pressure-triangles created by the wind in the initial freeze. The swans ‘trumpeting’ from the nearby marshes added to the late afternoon atmosphere. Now? Thick snow falls and I’ve been out playing on my skis all morning! As we […]
Cotoneaster Frost
Frosted cotoneaster. After several sub-zero days the frost is building up. The blackbirds have taken up residence in this cotoneaster, chuckling over the plentiful berry supply. “Suffering, even great physical pain and emotional loss, dissolves when you stop looking at it and for it. It disappears when you stop agreeing with it or fighting it. […]
Frozen Loch Morlich
Mist rising, Loch Morlich Our snow is finally melting after a week of perfect Scandinavian conditions. Loch Morlich is pictured here with sunset approaching. The sun had been warming the ice all afternoon (warming being a relative term – the daytime high was minus 10 ). As the sun dipped, a band of mist rose […]