How Wild is This?

I’m responding to the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge and this week Dianne is saying ‘Let’s Get Wild!’ She’s talking about ‘Mother Nature untouched and untrammelled,  allowed to get on with her work without human help or hindrance.’ Well there’s not much left of that in the UK with so many of our wild areas busy with tourists and all the facilities introduced to accommodate them. Even our wildest areas are ‘managed’. Our own Scottish hills have largely been cleared of the natural forest centuries ago and many other areas were taken over for forestry in the last century. Only now are we making moves to re-establish some of the original landscape.

The top photo is actually taken on the Yorkshire Coast. Wild sea cliffs that are home to millions of sea birds. But the tourist element is revealed by the safety fences. But now, in such places, we need to encourage visitors to make sure we actually care about the area and its wildlife.

So I’ve tried to pick out some decent photographs of wildish landscapes where none probably none is truly wild and every one impacted by human activity.

A famous view here of Glen Coe, and the pass through the Scottish mountains. But along the base of this hanging valley is a main transport and tourist route to Fort William and the north west highlands.

These snow-covered hills above Gare Loch do look really rugged and wild. These hills look down on the Faslane naval base for the Royal Navy submarines that carry the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

But then I come a bit closer to home. This next looks remote and the rocks are original it’s right next to the local attraction that is Portencross Castle. But I like it …….it looks wild.

And below another local wild spot in amongst the Ayrshire farmland. It’s the volcanic plug that is Loudoun Hill and a favourite for walkers

And now coming into my local country park where rivers run. I took this one just two days ago and as you can see we are going through a dry spell and the river is low. So on reflection it maybe isn’t so wild.

However two or three weeks ago there was plenty rain. Here’s a another image from the same place, and these little guys would certainly argue that it was a wild place when they have to negotiate the rapids; “Wait for me”.

Thanks again to Dianne Milliard, the Rambling Ranger for setting the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – “Lets get Wild!”. Dianne’s images are great and really wild and you can see them via this link.

22 thoughts on “How Wild is This?”

  5. All of those places look wild. It would be hard to convince anyone they are not. The colors are dazzling and the heights, even with fences, foreboding. Thanks for sharing these wild views. 🙂

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    1. If only we could do that! We’ve had so much rain this spring – it’s normally our driest time of year. How you do get a good share of it this year to give you some respite.

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  9. These are beautiful places James – so of course people are drawn there! Despite nearby buildings or other human trappings you’ve captured their essence – well done! Loved your little ducklings.

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  11. What a beautiful place you call home, Jas. I love the light in your images. I especially love your opening image of the sea cliffs. Thanks for being part of this challenge!

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