Scozmo's Photery

Sorry but, I never tire of walking at Backwater reservoir and today was definitely one of the good ones, not in birding terms because I saw or heard very little indeed but, as a good walk? Wonderful.

It was a late decision on my part, the forecast had been for rain and there was no sign of it but with rain forecast for the rest of the week as well, I had to make the most of a decent day, right?

It was just after 10 am when I parked in a car park that held a whole two! other cars and one of them had just arrived, a lady I see up there quite often was just prepping herself and her dog to head off so we had a quick “hi, how are you?” then off she went.

I got my act together 😉 ….. camera, bum bag (snacks) and binoculars, waterproof jacket around my waist and off I went.

Please note: These images are linked from Flickr

There was a decent breeze blowing but the sky looked clear, hence the waterproof around my waist …. you never know. The reservoir itself is pretty full, compared to last year.

In case you hadn’t noticed, these are all going to be phone shots, I have fitted a 35mm lens to my other camera which is out of my comfort zone and i didn’t feel this was the right walk or environment for me to practice on so, I had the usual 180-600mm with me, you never know what might fly by ….

It was definitely a quiet birding day, I enjoyed a pretty fast walk up to the old boathouse but had seen a bird on the water so i went down to the shore to check out what it was.

You may remember that last year this boathouse was high and dry, the water level the lowest I’ve ever seen, much better this year and hopefully stays full into Winter.

As you can see, it can be a popular “wild camping” spot, I put that in quotes because too many don’t really get what it is supposed to mean 🙂

As you can also see, it was a beautiful day, there was still a good breeze blowing but it was behind me anyway so no bother.

I was cracking along at a good pace which makes a change from dawdling and stop / start for bird pics 🙂

I met up with walking lady and her wee dog around the picnic bench, which is right at the end of that road under those distant trees.

I decided to carry on right to the top end where I stop for a picnic; it’s not the actual top of the reservoir but the end of the easy road, just to the right of that little clump of green trees almost directly below the tip of the long cloud and there are a few perfect rocks for seats and tables.

Those shots show, my left, NE-ish, dead ahead, South-ish and to my right, Sw-ish and, there were dark clouds looming, hence the standby waterproof. There was not a sound while I sat and ate my snacks, not even bird calls, wonderful.

I spent quite a while just sitting, listening, looking and pondering my next move. Back the way I had come or up the logging trail and round? Hmmmmmmm

An easy decision on such a glorious day, up and round for the scenery, the silence and a loop walk.

I find this way round a little easier, not sure why but in my mind the slope coming the other way is steeper. I can also see that the wood piles are slowly decreasing, they’re being collected regularly now so it won’t be long until they’ve all gone.

I loved that little piece cut out of that trunk in the last shot, looks like an arrow pointing the way ahead 🙂

I also took an inclination for some black and white shots at this stage.

And, what is it with signs these days? Has common sense gone out the window entirely? Before we know it, there will be a sign that says “Please read the signs!”

The view opens up as you get higher here, you start to rise above the remaining tree line and get views back over the hills, down over the reservoir and ahead.

I absolutely love that view, almost the entire reservoir laid out below, there’s another small area off to the left, beyond those tall trees, also where my picnic spot had been. This was also the top of the walk.

I met another couple of people coming the other way, blooming busy today! 😉 Turned out to be mother and daughter with their dog and we stopped for a wee natter, the mother lived in the farm right at the top end before the reservoir was flooded!

I was heading back down the other side again now.

You can see the track ahead and down among those tall trees in the lower left is where the picnic bench is. There’s another trail up ahead that leads off to the right and into another glen, I must look at the possibility of a walk over that way. Can I get back to the car park easily?

As I walked down that slope shown above, I looked back at the way I had come.

Far left, where the little clump of green trees is, is the top point I had stopped for the full reservoir shot. I was on the downward leg now which twists and turns so the view changes constantly.

Looking back, back, ahead and you can see the road I had walked in on leading off towards the car park again and behind me , dark clouds gathering again but I was actually roasting, too many layers on and walking into the Sunlight.

A super wide panorama looking over the treetops back towards the top end where I had picnicked.

It didn’t take me long to get back onto the flat again and a look back at that downhill stretch.

Dark clouds again!!!!

I met another couple of dog walkers as I stepped out for the car and I got a good speedy last mile.

For me, a wonderful walk with all the elements of Scottish weather 🙂 but most importantly, the peace and tranquility of open countryside. Add a couple of “wee natters”with others out sharing those elements, perfect.

Here are a couple of phone video clips from the walk, turn your sound up, there’s nothing to hear 😉 (well, me)

I hope you enjoy those, stay safe and well