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Photographs: Architecture, Photographs: Scotland, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Blue Frames

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Blue Frames
“Blue Frames” — An old stone building with blue frames around doors and windows, Stirling, Scotland.

The main focus of our visit to Scotland earlier this year was waking the Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness, but that hike only took up about a third of our visit. Before the walk we spent several nights adjusting to jet lag, including stays in Glasgow, Oban, and Fort William. After the walk we had a night in Inverness, and multiple nights in Stirling, Glasgow, and Edinburgh… before a bit more than a week in England. Stirling, where I made this photograph, was our first serious non-hiking destination after the walk.

Like so many old towns — and Stirling is very old — the construction materials often reflect what was available locally. Here many of the old buildings are stone — they have been updated for modern tenants, but their appearance is far from contemporary. I love interesting geometry and color, and this juxtaposition of old stone walls with the blue-painted frames around the doors and windows caught my attention. Looking more closely, you may also see the remnants of older openings that have been closed off.

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: Architecture, Photographs: England, Photographs: Structures and Objects, Photographs: Travel

Church Doorway

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“Church Doorway” — A side doorway to a churc at Oxford University.

We spent one of our London days to leaving the city for a day trip to Oxford. Having enough time in London, we had planned to take a train to some nearby location at some point, and Oxford seemed like good choice. (We were possibly swayed by the fact that our oldest son had been there the previous week for work and had shared hiis impressions of the university.) So we got off the train in the mid-morning time frame and walked up into the town of Oxford.

It was surprisingly crowded! I suppose this was partly because we were part of the small crowd of people who arrived on the train and headed the same direction. There was also a Pride event taking place, including a parade that temporarily blocked our way — a fine excuse to stop and grab a bite to eat nearby. Eventually we managed to wander through areas of Oxford University, though many are relatively inaccessible given that it is an actual working university. We stopped in a couple of churches and chapels, and I made this photograph of light coming through an open back door at one of them.

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: Agriculture, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Scotland, Photographs: Travel

Sheep Pasture, Loch Ness

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Sheep Pasture, Loch Ness
“Sheep Pasture, Loch Ness” — Sheep in a pasture on the Great Glen Way above Loch Ness near Drumnadrochit, Scotland.

Near the end of this day’s walk on the Great Glen Way we passed through, around, and between a series of sheep pastures. Americans used to hiking in “wilderness” learn that hiking here is a different experience — you pass through towns, occasionally walk on narrow roads, cross logged areas, and encounter livestock. While I love our American wilderness, I have to say that there’s something quite nice about this landscape, too. (Perhaps not the least: a comfortable bed and nice meals every evening!)

This was one of the two longest days of our trek — in some ways it felt like the longest. We had arrived in Lewiston, next door to the town of Drumnadrochit, the evening before. Instead of walking to the next town (mainly because there isn’t one!) the plan was to start a distance north and hike back to our lodgings. It was quite a varied day. In the first mile or so we passed a rural cafe, a nature center, and then climbed stiffly out of the forest and into barren highlands. We may have reached the highest point of the walk here at a place with panoramic views and extremely strong winds. From here we descended back into forest for a long walk toward the shores of Loch Ness. In sight of the loch, it seemed like we were near our goal, but we still had miles to go.

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: Architecture, Photographs: England, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Oxford Pedestrians

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Oxford Pedestrians
“Oxford Pedestrians” — Pedestrians pass by an old buliding in Oxford, England.

We ended up taking a day trip by train to Oxford during our June visit to London. (This was the tail end of a longer trip that was mostly in Scotland.) We were in London long enough to feel like taking day trip was worthwhile, and our oldest son had just returned from a week of work in Oxford, so it was on our minds. We got up early, made our way to the train station, and were soon on the one-hour trip to the university town.

It is, of course, a popular day trip and there were lots of other visitors. It is interesting to consider the attractions of the place. The historic university is, of course, the main thing. But as much as the academic tradition is important, I think that the visuals of the town are a pretty big draw, too. It is full of these old buildings with their many intricate details. And let’s not forget the attraction of any place that evokes the popular Harry Potter imagery!

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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