This month's round-up of the OUTDOORSmagic gallery isn't quite as white as the last. There are even some green photos amongst the latest snaps from around the world...
Last month it was snow; this month it's water. Yes, in most places the white stuff has finally disappeared and OMers have been out viewing it in non-frozen form. Corries, tarns, cwms, lakes, coastlines, we've seen them all in the gallery during May, and many of the most-rated images have been watery ones. It just goes to show that you don't have to travel half way round the world for a stunning photograph.
The first of our waterscapes from close to home was snapped by Ben Wilmott. It's in dreamy mode - cue reflections on life, the British hills, and springtime - which is just our way of saying that it looks pretty atmospheric to us. And if we didn't know who the shot was taken by, we'd almost say it was our very own (legendary) Richard Gear gazing out across the hillside:-)
There are plenty more waterscapes - and some dry shots too - in Ben's Collection album.
Angle Tarn, by Ben Wilmott
Moving north, Marcus Clifford's been up in the Highlands, taking in the view across Loch Maree. The light didn't help out quite so much in this photo, but then again, you don't need too many special effects with a scene like that in front of you. You can see more photos of the same walk in the album
Wester Ross - May 2006, or drool over the beauty of a GPS propped up against a pair of boots. Visit his album to see what we mean.
Tollie - Slattadale Walk, by Marcus Clifford
On the drier side of things, here's Rushup Edge basking in sunshine, to cheer us all up after an 'indifferent' bank holiday weekend. The sky's clear, the land's golden, and the place is almost deserted - so it's obviously not Stanage:-) Dean Morgan's obviously a dab hand with a camera as well; every single image in the
Peak District album has been rated.
Rushup Edge at Dusk, by Dean Morgan
Moving further afield, Nepal is a popular location, as ever. Brian Metters shows us why, with two fantastic shots of Ama Dablam and Naya Kanga. The second one, of Naya Kanga, was taken from the slopes of Yala in Langtang. As for the first, Brian comments that it was taken "during an extreme ironing trip, 2003". Full marks to anyone who can spot the iron:-) It's a shame we didn't have them in the gallery sooner, as everyone's been rating Brian's photos, so we hope he returns to the gallery again soon. To see more colourful images of Nepal, both cultural and mountainous, see his
Nepal album.
Ama Dablam from Pheriche, by Brian Metters
Naya Kanga, by Brian Metters
Just so we don't give Brian exclusive coverage of Nepal, here's another back dated shot from the Himalayas. This time it's the valleys rather than the mountain tops on display - more specifically, the Kali Gandaki river valley. That's not to say there isn't any snow around though - in fact, the Annapurna circuit was swamped with it at the time. Fortunately, that didn't stop Ian Rickerby from bringing this photo back to the OUTDOORSmagic gallery. You can see more of his shots, ranging from Nepali river valleys, to an iced-up Tryfan, to sea cliff climbing in the UK, in his
2005 or so! album.
Nepal Oct 2005, by Ian Rickerby
To take one more stop on our world tour, before we head back to the UK, here are a few shots of the Calinet Valley in Romania, by Marian Radu. Not only is she a regular in the OUTDOORSmagic gallery, she's also written an article on walking in the Parang mountains in Romania, for our travel section. Thanks to the Romania branch of OUTDOORSmagic for that, and for another stunning photo! See more in the Piatra Craiului Mtns. - Calinet Valley album.
Calinet Valley, by Marian Radu
As always, there's time for a random parting shot. The last 'virtual tour' ended with a white-out in the Scottish mountains, so this time we thought we'd show them in a slightly more approachable light. This time, we've got a cloud sea instead of a snowstorm, but above it, you couldn't ask for a much more perfect day. Damon's Mountains of Scotland album is packed with landscapes that will set your hiking boots fidgeting - it's well worth a look.
A' Chralaig, by Damon Ritchie
Tha's all folks. Remember to send in your
Bank Holiday stories and photos - as Jon says, 'no bears please' - and we'll let you know what the world of OM has been getting up to over the long weekend. And of course, keep sending in your photos, of the holiday or otherwise, ready for next month's virtual tour. Happy walking.
