Tag Archives: ggw

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Scotland, Photographs: Travel

Scottish Forest, Soft Light

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Scottish Forest, Soft Light
“Scottish Forest, Soft Light” — Soft light under thin overcast illuminates Scottish forest on the Great Glen Way.

This sort of terrain was far from typical during our trek along Scotland’s Great Glen Way this past May. We did walk through a lot of forests, but many of them were extremely dense and dark — that sort of forest you might describe as “impenetrable.” We did see moss like this in places, which is not surprise given the Scottish weather. But this sort of green, open forest was a bit of a rarity.

In any case, this open forest was also a surprise when we encountered it. At the start of the day’s hike we had climbed up from flatlands and into open highland terrain with expansive views and a lot of wind! From there we descended back into trees and then traversed along a ridge paralleling Loch Ness. Here the thick trees blocked any open views. But shortly after our lunch stop we came upon this magical, light-filled section of open forest.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Scotland, Photographs: Travel

In the Scottish Forest

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In the Scottish Forest
“In the Scottish Forest” — A small tree growing in the dense forest on a rainy day on the Great Glen Way, Scotland.

I made this photograph near the end of our May trek along Scotland’s Great Glen Way. It was the final day of our walk, and we would end arrive at Inverness later that day. I think we thought this would be a sort of easy, level and downhill walk to our destination. It started that way, along a narrow country road through fam country, but the sky soon clouded up (hey, it is Scotland!) and before long it began to rain. I saw this tree off to the side as we walked through a particularly dark and wet section of forest.

The rest of the day was a bit odd — though it was not all dark like this photo. The rain continued, mostly light but fairly continuous. Eventually we began to spot buildings on the edge of Inverness through breaks in the trees. Before long the path dropped toward the outskirts of the town, and the hike was more and more along urban sidewalks and paths. Then we missed a sign somewhere and got off route, eventually realizing our mistake and correcting — and before long we crossed the river to downtown Inverness and reached the official end point of the walk.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Scotland, Photographs: Travel

Forest, Mountain Fog

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Forest, Mountain Fog
“Forest, Mountain Fog” — Fog fills the valleys and rised towards the highlands along the Great Glen Way.

This photograph comes from one of the most “alpine” days of our Great Glen Way walk in Scotland earlier this year. In previous posts I have mentioned that much of this trek is quite civilized — more of a “walk” than a “hike” in some ways. Long sections follow the banks of the Caledonian Canal, others trace the shorelines of lochs, and in a few spots one can pull off the trail and order food! This was not one of those days. We climbed steeply out of town in the morning, and before long we were at treelike in cloudy and foggy conditions.

As a California hiker and fan of the Sierra Nevada, I am used to having to climb quite high to get to the open country above treelike — often 10,000 feet or higher before the last trees disappear. But in Scotland, with its northerly location (and some other factors), a few thousand feet of elevations will get you to country that looks like tundra. I made this photograph close to the highest trees in this location, where it was open enough to give a long view down into the fog-filled valley holding Loch Ness.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | Post | Email

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Scotland, Photographs: Travel

Highland Trees and Fog

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Highland Trees and Fog
“Highland Trees and Fog” — Small trees and mountain fog in the highlands along the Great Glen Way near the “View Catcher.”

We began our spring walk along Scotland’s Great Glen Way in distinctly lowland country. We started a sea level in Fort William, then headed north along the Caledonian Canal, passing by agricultural country and eventually a large loch. But eventually the route took is into higher terrain, most dramatically on this day when we climbed steeply out of the town of Invermoriston, eventually crossing a high ridge before a long descent to the final miles of the day along the canal once again.

Much of this part of Scotland is thickly forested, but there’s often a distinct and sudden division between trees and barren highlands. We had passed through some highland country on the train to Fort William, but this was the first time we walked into it. It was a dramatic change! The day was cloudy and damp, and even though it momentarily cleared at this point, fog clouds drifted in and out of the scene, alternately revealing and blocking views of higher ridges.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | Post | Email

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.