Rob likes to get away for a few weeks in the winter, before our garden season starts to stir. His choices are always interesting. They never involve a warm or tropical place. A decision to visit England’s lake district in Cumbria, Wales, and the Isle of Skye in Scotland sounded lovely-but in February? There were a few days while he was gone when Michigan was warmer than Scotland, but his photographs are proof positive that the natural landscape – even those in cold climates in February – have a presence that transcends the seasons. These snowdrops in bloom-in the woods in England’s Lake District. Rob’s visual chronicle of these natural landscapes, barely edited by the demands of agriculture and travel, have a haunting beauty I won’t soon forget. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.
Along the Brecon-Monmouthshire Canal, in Wales
These man made canals were used to move frieght, before the invention of the railroad.
Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal
canal in Wales
in England’s lake district
on the Isle of Skye
the lake district
fence along a canal in Wales
the Isle of Skye
the lake district
He looks to be perfectly happy and at home in Wales, don’t you think?
Stunningly beautiful. So quiet and alive at the same time. Beautiful images for my spirit much wearied by Eastern Massachusetts’ unrelenting snow storms. Thank you both so very much.
Dear Virginia, my heart goes out to you. We are having a strong dose of winter-but you are living winter like few have ever lived it. I am hoping your winter will moderate soon. best, Deborah
Hi Deborah,
Beautiful photos of Scotland. I was particularly touched by the moss covered tree. It reminded me of pictures of Saiho-ji in Japan. Even though I will probably never travel to Scotland or Japan, my heart has been touched through a stranger’s eyes and appreciation of nature. Thank you so much.
Bright Orange, thank you for your letter. Like you, I have never been to either place. Rob’s appreciation is so powerfully communicated through his pictures. Best, Deborah
Wonderful!
I so love Scotland… only there once (so far), but the beauty and the ancient history, which is so palpable, makes me want to return again. Thanks for these great images.
Dear Lynn, you and I both have Rob to thank for these images. I have never been, but I feel like I have gotten a feeling of what this place is like in the winter. best, Deborah
Wow….just wow…
My sentiments exactly, Shelly. Thanks, Deborah
I am lost in the magic of those moss laden branches and rocks…that image will linger on.
No kidding, Michaele. As much as the branches are magical, so are Rob’s photographs of them. best, Deborah
Beautiful photography!!! I just love reading your blog. If I may ask…what camera was used for this stunning photography? Thank you both for this beautiful post.
Dear Soraya, Rob took these pictures with his I-phone. Rob’s photographs are not about the camera, but his eye, and how he sees. Thanks, Deborah
Beautiful country. I like your posts and photos. I’m sorry but my english isn’t good so I can’t say that I think. But thank you for your blog is very interesting and beautiful. Thank you from Basque country
Dear Erdoitza, thank you so much for your letter. Your English is perfectly lovely. best, Deborah
Scotland was my first historic garden study tour decades ago. At the time, more head gardeners across Europe were from Scotland than any other country. And, I knew I wanted to learn about historic gardens that were the best, but never had ease of money or politics….
Thank you Rob ! And Deborah for sharing Rob’s trip.
Was there in SUMMER. Hello.
Garden & Be Well, XO T
Dear Tara, his pictures were a about a certain experience of winter that is not about snow, or gale force winds. Of course the pictures do not come with a temperature-they are visual only. It makes me wonder if our vision of winter landscapes is not entirely governed by our perception and experience of cold. Thanks for writing, Deborah
So beautiful. The northern light in winter is almost liquid. Like vodka.
He certainly does look perfect in that setting. Thanks for sharing the pics.
Beautiful photographs; it looks both chilly and mellow at the same time! And very peaceful… I was very curious where in Scotland Rob took these pictures, as the Isle of Skye (you mentioned above) looks much more open and desolate. I also was curious of the where-abouts of the river with its walkway. Very lovely images!
What a magical way to begin my day when the temp is -12 in Madison. I will warm myself all day from the glow of those rocks and trees covered with moss. Just glorious. And aren’t the images from our phones pretty amazing in the quality of resolution. Still a bit mind-boggling to me.
Loved the photos of the wild Scottish countryside. Rob has an outstanding eye. It really is the photographer! So glad you started with snowdrops, the end of winter and beginning of spring.
Rob and the lamb, warm and charming….
Thank you so much for sharing the most wonderful beautiful photographs. I just found your website a month ago and am dying desperately to catch up on all your photos and comments. Love it all!!! Thank you.
Dear Wilma, you are welcome. I am glad you are enjoying the read. best, Deborah
Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Trish
DSear Trish, I was shocked to see how beautiful Scotland could be in February. And grateful for Rob’s photographs. best, Deborah
Thanks for the stunning scenes…always greenery or lushness under the surface no matter the place you showed. I think I get the reason for not escaping winter totally in winter, and it’s a different winter (or place).
About my most enjoyable trip in decades was to be a guest lecturer in Fargo ND in Feb. 2011. Not just because I didn’t have to stay and return to springy 60+ where I lived, either. Watching their serious winter, ice, and crumbly snow (highs at or below 0 for a few days), seeing the land about to start awakening, even how people there were running or even wearing flip flops at one day near 30F for a high, was stimulating to my way ot thinking.
Dear David, so good to hear from you. We have had such a long string of near or below zero days, that our one 30 degree day made me want to break out my shorts. Rob’s pictures are making me feel differently about winter. best, Deborah
I would give anything right now to look out my window and see the lovely spring greening that I’m seeing in this pics. Thanks for sharing.
This made me SO HOMESICK! Before I came to California, I lived in the Lake District for years, I lived in a little town called Thornthwaite and at that time (nearly 50 yrs ago) there were only 22 people in our village! At this time of the year when daffodils are blooming everywhere, I think of William Wordsworth “The Daffodils”…..he was buried in a town near to where I lived. Thanks you again for the pictures.