I was quite pleased to notice that one of my favourite afternoon quick-escape locations is technically just north of the Highland Boundary Fault.
As I drove off the road, a flock of over 20 grouse shot out from the undergrowth and sprinted for dear life in front of me up to the carpark. Walking through the trees, I disturbed a deer grazing on the heather. Sometimes, you just can’t beat a few hours in golden sunlight, staring at mountains, for relaxation.
One Saturday afternoon in September, I clambered up the Radical Road in Edinburgh to my favoured viewpoint. Herewith, some photos of crepuscular rays over the city.
A study in decay.
A listed historical building dating from around 1870, the Arkwright Society had a go at restoring this old bobbin mill near Sheldon in the late 70s, but nature seems to be winning again.
Oban harbour, one sunny Sunday afternoon
Detail of a rusted padlock on a cast iron gate, basking in the late evening sunlight.
This pump in an old abandoned petrol-station was enjoying the last few rays of evening sunlight.
White clouds in blue skies; grass blowing around in warm sunlight; horses that amble across their field to come and say hello as one passes by the roadside.
It’s one of the more common atmospheric-optical phenomena, but I still had to stop and admire this ring of colour in the wispy clouds, sun hidden behind the chimneys.
A couple of days ago the shed door started coming off its hinges altogether in ordinary use – the wood underlying the screws had rotten away.
This afternoon, we burned the whole thing – and a great bonfire it made, too, with the roofing felt melting, burning, exuding a thick black smoke (fortunately not for too long).
Narcissi and Dutchman’s Breeches backlit in the evening light.
I walked maybe half a mile along the pebbled shores of Loch Ryan, attempting to make interesting photos in classical landscape style. Of this kind of scene, one particular favourite survived the editing purge:
However, the photo I favour most from this afternoon was a serendipitous find, a result of some gentle urban exploration. Just standing in the doorway of this ruined building, all the light through the windows and lines and curves somehow fell together into a classic composition, a celebration of abandonment in grunge:
It also looks radically different in colour:
Two landscape photos, fresh off the press, taken on Friday evening as the sun had just about set.
Quietness in a frame.
Wouldn’t think they were HDR, would you?
A clump of green shoots poking through, ready for spring
Back down at the harbour this morning, sitting a little light on the sea
Taken on a long stroll with Dog: from the Southern Upland Way, slightly south of Portpatrick, appreciating patterns of cloud, light and precipitation across the sea over Ireland.