Tag Archives: water

Stone Building, Loch Stack

Stone Building, Loch Stack
“Stone Building, Loch Stack” — An old stone building on the shore of Loch Stack in the Scottish highlands.

As we neared the end of our weeklong visit to Skye and the north coast of Scotland we spent a couple of nights at the old lodge at Altnaharra. My understanding is that decades ago this was a place where people from cities came to stay and to fish. It is a sprawling building, with large common rooms downstairs, a dining room, a small bar, and many guest rooms. At one time it was reportedly a luxurious place, at least by the rural standards of its isolated location. (To be honest, today it is a shadow of that historic lodge, but it still carries a resonance of that earlier time.)

Continue reading Stone Building, Loch Stack

Juniper Tree, Water-Stained Cliff

Juniper Tree, Water-Stained Cliff
“Juniper Tree, Water-Stained Cliff” — A Juniper Tree, Water-Stained Cliff solitary juniper tree grows at the base of a water-stained sandstone cliff.

Several things about the scene caught my attention as we passed through this area in of Capitol Reef National Park. The background is one of the thickest and most monumental strata in this area of the park. The surface of this solid rock is, however, marked in all sorts of ways. Notably there are stains from flowing water, and in a couple of vertical bands the flow has been regard enough to encourage the growth of lichens.

Continue reading Juniper Tree, Water-Stained Cliff

Alfama, Tagus River View

Alfama, Tagus River View
“Alfama, Tagus River View” — Buildings of Alfama overlook the broad Tagus River, Lisbon

Lisbon, Portugal is a city of hills. (It is sometimes called the “City of Seven Hills.”) Deepening upon which direction you go, even short walks can involve some significant climbs. There’s a reason for the Elevador de Santa Justa, the famous elevator structure, and for cable cars or funiculars. A positive result of all of this climbing is that there are some spectacular views.

Continue reading Alfama, Tagus River View

Desert Reflections, Lake Manly

Desert Reflections, Lake Manly
“Desert Reflections, Lake Manly” — Desert mountains and sky reflected in Lake Manly, Death Valley.

Looking at this aquatic scene it is hard to believe the normally here we would be looking at arid salt flats extending toward the horizon, not the reflective surface of a very large lake. But this is Death Valley, a place of astonishing variety, and sometimes that arid landscape is full of water.

Continue reading Desert Reflections, Lake Manly