February's Top Photographers

Can it really be March already? Apparently so, and that means two more OMers are about to enter Dry Sockdom, courtesy of the OM gallery sponsor, Bridgedale, and of course their finely honed photography skills.

February's Photographer of the Month is Michael Sayles, for his popular shot of 'Sunset Above the Clouds'. It may have cost him a rather dark walk back down to civilisation, but it also wins him three pairs of Bridgedale Trekkers. Sounds like a fair bargain to us. Following close behind comes Neil Higgins with another gem from his aptly-named album 'Dark Chest of Wonders'. Congratulations to both - your feet should feel the benefits shortly:-)

Sunset Above The Clouds, by Michael S

Red Tarn Sunset, by Neil H

Now for the best pics of the last week, starting with one of the most dramatic photos we've seen in a while. If you ever fancy a brooding and ominous Lakeside wander, you could do worse than go on a few Travels with Rob, who seems to know where the most forbidding skies are to be found.

Sunset over the Lakes, by Rob Sutherland

Jamie Bassnett found much clearer weather for this mountain shot and the only thing that's a bit unclear is his memory. Is this a picture of Kalkglimmerschiefer or somewhere else? That's the question... More in the Jamie Bassnett album.

Kalkglimmerschiefer (I Think), by Jamie Bassnett

Sean McMahon's stayed closer to home recently but hasn't found life any less picturesque. His Striding Edge album includes some cracking cloud inversions, waterfalls, and a very photogenic dog, not to mention this shot of the snowcapped Pennines behind Ullswater.

Ullswater and the Pennines, by Sean McMahon

Moving on from sweeping panoramas, there's been an unusual amount of night photography in the last week because of the lunar eclipse. Diddy snapped the action for his Diddy album while Hamish Fenton sent us the full chart of the eclipse progressing. It looks like OMers appreciate the lesson, as this is the most popular image in the gallery so far this month!

Lunar Eclipse, by Diddy

Lunar Eclipse, by Hamish Fenton

And finally, someone's found just enough snow to build themselves a powdery friend. Mr Snowman joins numerous Lakeland pics, all with a dusting of the white stuff, in the new Best Photos Of Recent Trips album.

Snowman, by Snowman!

That's all for now. Keep the pictures coming - we love looking through them - but just a quick reminder that the Photo of the Month competition is a fairly light-hearted affair. We don't rank amongst the many serious photography website out there and we don't pretend to - we just like mountains, mountain photos, mountain walking, mountain panoramas and, well, most things mountainous really...

If you want some inspiration for places to go walking, try the routes section where we have a new two-day Lakeland route this week. Also, if you want to find out what's new, wonderful, or just weird in the world of outdoor gear, try our latest gear reviews.