This view of the Trotternish Ridge is toward Bioda Buidhe and Cleat and between them in the distance is Beinn Edra. Below Bioda Buidhe the Staffin-Uig road can be seen as it meanders up the ridge.

Upon arriving on location to wait for sunrise I was pleased to discover I was alone with “the tree”. A primary reason may have been that I was setting up shortly after 4:30. As the sun began to rise and light the hills and sky, I rotated the camera for a vertical composition as it was apparent that was where the color would be. I hope you enjoyed the resulting image.

Update (01.06.2016) . . . Image published in the May 2016 issue of The Scots Magazine.

Tags:   Quiraing Cleat Beinn Edra Bioda Buidhe Staffin-Uig sunrise clouds colorful Trotternish Skye distressed tree stupid o'clock

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The Cuillin view from a bend in the A87 at Sligachan had me stopping to explore the possibilities. This view is among the rocks along Allt Dearg Mor.

Actually, every time I drive this section of the A87 I am tempted to stop and usually do.

Tags:   Cuillins Sligachan Allt Dearg Mor water water movement sunlight Skye rocks A87 Nikon D7100 Gitzo clouds An t-Eilean Sgitheanach

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An alarm at stupid o’clock (3:30AM), a short drive on empty roads, park, lace up the boots, grab the gear and a quick walk on the path to today's location. Plenty of time to set up the tripod and camera, compose the image and then relax and enjoy the upcoming sunrise, as it is only 4:30AM.

This view of the Trotternish Ridge is toward Bioda Buidhe and Cleat while between them in the distance is Beinn Edra. The two bodies of water in front of Cleat are Loch Cleat and Loch Leum na Luirginn. In the lower right is the Staffin-Uig road as it meanders up the ridge to the Quiraing parking area and then on to Uig. On the horizon are the mountains of the Scottish mainland.

As the dawn light rises, the clouds are the first to brighten and show the morning color, followed by the Trotternish Ridge. This is the capture as the sun highlights Cleat, Beinn Edra, Bioda Buidhe and Dun Dubh. The stone on the face of Dun Dubh seemed golden in the sunrise light. As the angle of the sun light was so low, the terrain on the top of Dun Dubh is checker boarded with shadows. It’s all about the light . . . 15 minutes earlier the sun hadn’t risen . . . 15 minutes later the sun had risen enough the light had gone flat.

A wonderful and memorable morning for me as I enjoyed the morning and the time spent to capture the moment. I hope you enjoy the resulting image.

Tags:   Trotternish Trotternish Ridge Bioda Buidhe Cleat Beinn Edra Loch Cleat Loch Leum na Luirginn Staffin-Uig Quiraing Dun Dubh Skye Isle of Skye Inner Hebrides Scotland sunrise Panorama landscape clouds Nikon Nikon 10-24mm D7100 Gitzo colorful vibrant stupid o'clock

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It’s an early morning, as this is the end of May on Skye and sunrise is at the unreasonable hour of 4:30am, but at least looking out the window the skies look promising for a good sunrise today. My return to the scouted site from yesterday will be a solo trip as my better half has opted for more sleep rather than a retracing of yesterday’s route in the pre-dawn light. Off in the car, a quick drive on deserted roads (no one else is apparently up at stupid o’clock), disturb a few of the sheep laying on the edge of the tarmac of the Uig-Staffin road, park the car, lace up the boots, grab the kit and I’m off.

Retracing yesterday’s route to the shore of Loch Leum na Luirginn was uneventful, although I now realize boggy spots are not noticed as quickly in low light . . . note to self: use the head torch next time. Once at Loch Leum na Luirginn, I set up the tripod using a slightly different grouping of rocks a bit farther off shore for the foreground in this composition. The skies were relatively clear, but unfortunately there was a slight wind that was eliminating any reflections . . . “patience” . . . I kept muttering to myself . . . “maybe the winds will calm down as the sun rises”. With the remote shutter release in hand, I watched as the sunrise light began to illuminate Cleat and at the same time the winds died down and the ripples on Loch Leum na Luirginn widen out and the waters became virtually calm and the reflection became clear . . . CLICK!! This is the result . . .

Incidentally, when the winds finally became calm I was able to enjoy the moment with several hundred if not thousands of midges which rose up from nowhere to join me! Fortunately, I was prepared and packed a midge hood for just this occasion. Unfortunately, it was still in the suitcase at the house! Second note to self: pack midge hood in camera bag.

It was still a great morning out and I had the image and midge bites to prove it.

Tags:   Inner Hebrides Skye Isle of Skye Staffin-Uig landscape reflection Cleat Loch Leum na Luirginn sunrise calm tranquil serene rock early May cloud colorful Nikon D7100 Nikon 10-24mm Gitzo

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The drive from Broadford to Elgol on the single track road always takes longer than expected as I repeatedly stop to capture another scene that comes into view. That was the case on this day as I turned off and parked to capture the birch trees on the slope of the hill with Bla Bheinn in the distance.

I enjoyed moving around trying to find the 'perfect' composition on this dreary day. The best description of the sky was dull and flat. With the mediocre sky I focused on the relationship between the birch trees and Bla Bheinn. They both had 'gaps' and this is my image with the gaps properly positioned.

Well, properly positioned for this visit anyway . . . I'll see what develops on my next visit!

Tags:   Inner Hebrides Skye Isle of Skye Scotland Broadford Elgol B8083 single track road Bla Bheinn Blaven tree birch building white hill slope mountain cloudy landscape birch tree gap green positioning composition allign Brad Eide Nikon Nikon 18-105mm D7100 Gitzo Photoshop

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