Tag Archives: pec

Forest, White Drin River

Forest, Whie Drin River
“Forest, White Drin River” — A person stands next to the White Drin River under a forest canopy, Kosovo.

The White Drin is a branch of the Drin River that drains Kosovo and parts of Albania — this portion begins in the mountains along the western side of Kosovo. Some regard a waterfall a bit further up the river from here as its source. This scene is along the popular walking route to that fall.

While many of my landscape photographs exclude people, it seems appropriate to include one (and more, if you look closely) here. This location, not far from the town of Peja (or Pec) is extremely popular. The place was crowded when we visited, with families walking the route and in places trailside vendors.


Leave a comment or question using the form. (If you are reading this on the home page, click the article title to see the full article and the comment form.

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” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.

Mountain Haze, Kosovo

Mountain Haze, Kosovo
“Mountain Haze, Kosovo” — Kosovo mountains west of the city of Pec.

As far as I know (and I cannot claim to be an expert on Kosovo after visiting for a few days) this is not a particular iconic location — it was just a place where we pulled over while driving into the Accursed Mountains (yes, that is their name) west of the town of Pec. Looking up into the mountains on either side of the river valley we followed, I was impressed by the thick vegetation, the steep slopes, and the atmosphere’s luminous haze.

For me it is an odd experience to quickly pass through a new landscape, particularly one where I’m unfamiliar with the features, the culture, and the language… and to then quickly move on, perhaps with no opportunity to return in the future. I’m more used to getting to know such places through return visits that expand my knowledge. But what I came away with here are fragments of memory — a walk to the end of a gravel road, lunch at a mountain lodge, stopping to photograph a country mosque next to a mountain river, and pausing to look up at theses slopes.

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” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

Join the discussion — you are welcome to leave a comment or question. (Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately.)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

(All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.)

Mountain Haze, Kosovo

Mountain Haze, Kosovo
“Mountain Haze, Kosovo” — Forest-lined river gorge along the road to the Accursed Mountains, Kosovo.

This photograph came late on a day when we traveled far into mountains to the west of Peja, Kosovo. I have vivid memories of the day, of what I saw, of what we did – but it is now extremely difficult to identify specific locations and features. I know that we traveled west into a narrow river gorge, and eventually climbed out of it, that we ended up on a tiny road that dead-ended at the Montenegro border… which my Kosovo host warned me not to approach. After other adventures we returned down that same narrow canyon.

As we descended, the scenery was often spectacular. Here the river descended steeply over rocks between steep, tree-covered canyon walls. We paused briefly, and I hopped out of the car to stand at the edge of this lush canyon and make a few photographs… of a river whose name I do not know.

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” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

Join the discussion — you are welcome to leave a comment or question. (Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately.)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

(All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.)