Autumn Sunshine
Posted: Sunday, 02 November 2008 |
The weather on Friday was really rather nice - there is nothing to beat a crisp frosty morning then lots of sunshine falling on a landscape of autumn colours. Perfect weather actually for gazing at a computer screen most of the day, fighting with trojans, viruses and other such horrors.....
Anyway, I was out at Calgary on Friday lunchtime - the bay looked great. Here are some pics:
The classic view of Calgary Bay - a shell sand machair - still very popular, even in late October!
A couple of residents, not so fussed about the view!
Looking across to the old pier. Note the volcanic dyke running down towards the pier - quite famous that one - its been used to provide one wall of the now roofless shed near the pier
Looking out towards the headland - you can see the raised beach quite clearly here - it is like a level platform all the way round the bay.
Another view, this time taken from further south, on the road towards Treshnish
On Saturday, it was off to the hills proper for some exploring, geologising and other such pranks. The weather wasnt so bright, but it was very still. At Loch Uisg near Lochbuie, the reflections were mirror-like:
Looking across to Creach Bheinn
Looking towards the west end of the loch
And at the end of the day, I got this almost monochrome shot of the sun going down:
So that was that! Geology classes are now in ful swing and hopefuly the first field trip, probably to Ardmore , will be next Saturday. So if any of you students are reading this, look forward to seeing you there. Full details at the class on Monday evening
Bye for now
JW (MM)
Anyway, I was out at Calgary on Friday lunchtime - the bay looked great. Here are some pics:
The classic view of Calgary Bay - a shell sand machair - still very popular, even in late October!
A couple of residents, not so fussed about the view!
Looking across to the old pier. Note the volcanic dyke running down towards the pier - quite famous that one - its been used to provide one wall of the now roofless shed near the pier
Looking out towards the headland - you can see the raised beach quite clearly here - it is like a level platform all the way round the bay.
Another view, this time taken from further south, on the road towards Treshnish
On Saturday, it was off to the hills proper for some exploring, geologising and other such pranks. The weather wasnt so bright, but it was very still. At Loch Uisg near Lochbuie, the reflections were mirror-like:
Looking across to Creach Bheinn
Looking towards the west end of the loch
And at the end of the day, I got this almost monochrome shot of the sun going down:
So that was that! Geology classes are now in ful swing and hopefuly the first field trip, probably to Ardmore , will be next Saturday. So if any of you students are reading this, look forward to seeing you there. Full details at the class on Monday evening
Bye for now
JW (MM)
Comments
Great photos as usual, MM. Those ones towards the end with the reflections look like complete fakes, but I'll take your word for it that they are genuine :-) The beach looks lovely. Good luck with the classes. Wish I could join!
Jill from EK
Jill, yes those reflections can look almost totally symmetrical. I remember a friend of mine having a picture of a perfect reflection of hills in a loch. It was stunning (his own pic) I remarked "Its such a good mirror image, you could turn it upside down and it would look the same" His response "It IS upside down...." Only a tiny, barely perceptible ripple in the loch gave the game away!
MM from Mull
Wish I could join your classes, MM!
Barney from Swithiod
Wish I could join your classes, MM! How about a Summer school for the far-away fans?
Barney from Swithiod
Fantastic photos, Calgary and Treshnish are my favorite places on earth!!!
Sharon from Down South
Your pictures are absolutely brilliant. Congratulations.
Trout Magnet from Looking at the water
You take the most amazing photos! I'll join Barney in summer school for far-away fans!
thelovelyOutlander from dreaming of highlands and islands
Hi MM - now I know that it isnt a wall at Calgary but a dyke - and doesnt your background page have a slight resemblance to Ross of Mull Granite - but lacking in Biotite - I've joined MM's Geology class and its brilliant! I didnt think you could get so enthusiastic over rocks but its fascinating stuff - looking forward to our field trip on Saturday!
Wild Freckle from Mull - basking in Autumn Sunshine
Barney, that's an excellent idea. A summer school for faraway fans of Mountainman.
mjc from IN, USA
Hi WF, yes the background IS a granite -but one provided by Island Blogging. Definitely not Ross of Mull granite as you point out. Its the Biotite that makes it special. Might just go and have a look at it on my way back today. Cheers! MM
MM from Iona right now
Wild Freckle, Mjc, kepp up the clamour for a Summer school under the firm but benign leadership of MM. The pupils from far away can live on board "Beatrice" and we might even squeeze in a marine geology expedition. "They went to sea in a sieve..." etc. Come on , MM, out with the calender and Ordinance Survey maps and plot us a circumnavigatrion of the essential Mull geology, - please!
Barney from Swithiod repeat transmission
Gorgeous pictures. Thank you for sharing.
Gale from NC, USA
Any more of these pictures mm and you'll start a new stampede.
Hyper-Borean from An Island Retreat
Thanks for the comments and the ideas - it would indeed be good to do a blog-user focussed trip round Mull! Actually, you could actually do an absolute cracker of a geology field trip if it was sea-based, and making landings at key sites. Huge amounts of effort would simply disappear, sites would be easy to get to and one would have a totally different view of the landscape. Seriously, I have pondered this sort of thing and there are a couple of possibilities. Maybe next year? MM
MM from Mull
MM, if you will come along then I'll organise the yacht. It takes 8 people (9 at a pinch) in 3 doubles, 1 x2 single bunks and 1 rather spartan bunk in the forepeak. All mod. cons and quite reasonable rate if 8 or 9 people for 7 dyas. I am absolutely serious. Come on Mjc, WF and the rest, sign up! I can't advertise my website but I will send it to Carol from whom you can request it. Then you can see the yacht and also what we have been enjoying in recent years. A circumnavigation of Mull, starting and ending at Crinan, is just a perfect week's activity!!! See you all in 2009.
Barney from Swithiod whooping it up
what a great idea MM! sea based sounds a fantastic idea - great trip on Saturday - dont know how your organised the weather but thanks - certainly makes a difference seeing stuff in the flesh as it were - sills, dykes, diodes, wow!
Wild Freckle ! from Loving the granite
Good pictures - BUT aren't they more 'Geography' than 'Geology'. The more to 'geographical descriptions '. I got onto this site as it being described as "Geology" Have I missed somethings along the way?
Dr Jim Brooks from Cumnock, Ayrshire
Great to see the old bay loking so good, watching the sunset is the best. Get over to staffa for geology
Martin McHardy from Witney, oxon
Great idea about sailing around Mull, I can recommend it. I have been doing it with pupils from Ayrshire schools for the last 6 years doing the John Muir Award. witht he Clyde Sail Training Trust on the Clyde Challenger a 60ft Clipper.
Clyde sailor from Troon
Exploring the hills and coasts of Mull and Iona and occasionally elsewhere, with a close eye on the geology
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