Uploads from deanecow, tagged scotland

Valley

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:06:55 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

Looking back down the valley towards Loch Shiel.

Big.

On Black.

Fuzzy Tree

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:05:39 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

Every surface within that patch of woods was coated, strung, and otherwise fuzzied by green moss.

Big.

Wet grass

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:06:01 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

A little farther up the valley, I spotted this on the banks of a little pond.

Mmmm...

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:05:55 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

I ran out of chocolate. What? I was hungry.

Dewdrops

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:05:49 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

Big.

Better.

The Road Home

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:07:01 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

on black.

Approaching Moss

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:05:34 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

On my second, and only full day in Scotland, I took the train 30 minutes west to Glenfinnan, home of the picturesque Glenfinnan Viaduct. Wandering about an hour north up the Glen, I spotted a little path leading up into a fir forest on my left. Little did I expect the beautiful mossy woods ahead...

Better.

Classic Scottish slopes

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:06:52 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

Here's some of that sunshine, glowing on the grassy, rocky hillsides.

Dreamy

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:06:48 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

All day long, the clouds rolled up the valley, sometimes plunging me into mist, sometimes leaving me basking in sunshine. A perfect winter day in Scotland.

On Black.

The Trail

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:05:43 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

Though I saw not another sign of bird or beast all afternoon, paths criss-crossed the entire woods, and rotting wooden bridges spanned several of the streams. Made for easy, squishy walking.

Better.

Mossy...hermit house?

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:05:38 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

Whatever this was, it must be quite old, given the two large trees growing up through the center of the structure.

Big.

Scotland at last

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:04:39 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

Here is yours truly, on the side of Meall an t-Suidhe just east of Fort William. Don't ask me to pronounce it, and don't ask me to scramble up and down this before nightfall ... again.
This was one of the more harrowing hikes I've done in a bit. It's just north of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, which was directly behind the camera in this shot, completely engulfed in a gray cloudbank. I started this hike much too late in the afternoon, with too few headlamps (0) and too few feet (2). The deer and sheep I pursued up the slopes were much more nimble with 4 limbs...though I made pretty good use of my gangly arms as I approached the top. As you can see, there is a goodly amount of ice and snow crusting the thick grass tufts and exposed granite, which made traction less than ideal. But, I had plenty of chocolate and digestive crackers to fuel my slipping limbs, and eventually I jogged back across the sheep pasture to the road, and my awaiting comfy bed.

Das Boots

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:06:58 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

These puppies have seen some pretty silly hikes, numerous desperate scrambles, lazy strolls, and beautiful scenery. And they hopefully have plenty more tramping in their future.

The Forbidden Forest

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:05:51 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

If the trees were just a little bigger, giant arachnids, unicorns, and centaurs might just take up residence here...

Water

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:05:41 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

The source of the moss...a slow drizzle filtered down through the trees all afternoon, as a small misty cloud hung above the woods. It felt as if the forest was perpetually misty.

Better.

A last mossy view

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:05:59 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

I wish I could have a bed made of that moss...
oh well, I'll just have to go back and take a nap sometime.

Peek

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:05:46 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

a-boo.

Sunlight peeks beneath the branches, backlighting the moss-covered grass tufts on the upper slopes of the woods.

Big.

Looking closer

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:05:54 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

and closer...

Fort William

nobody@flickr.com (deanecow) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:04:44 -0700

deanecow posted a photo:

with Loch Eil in the background.