Mar 27, 2016 – [Sunday] WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Half-Light

Callander Crags, Scotland, taken on October 31, 2015

Sometimes it is so easy to forget how insignificant man is, and it only takes one hike to remind me. That hike was the one up Callander Crags, one of the most memorable hikes I’ve had so far in Scotland. As I was hiking, a Chinese song titled “Small” kept popping up in my head, but “Powered by Nature” by Secret Garden also has a few lines of lyrics that resonated with me strongly: “I’m powered by mountains, they make me feel so small, so I can seize the wonder and the greatness of it all. I know I’m not alone on this planet Earth. I know I’m a part of God’s great universe.” Such vivid imagery, made real by the rolling hills in a distance behind Loch Venachar and the looming clouds hiding the rays of the setting sun. Oh, and I managed to capture the half-light atmosphere at dusk – do I get double points for this challenge? 😉

Feb 28, 2016 – [Sunday] WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: State of Mind

Callander Crags, Scotland, taken on October 31, 2015

While taking this photo, I was in a fascinated state of mind. I stood in awe as I emerged from an area of dense woodlands, completely not expecting that a vast landscape of hills would sudden appear in front of me out of nowhere. The hills seemed so far away, yet so paradoxically close – and the skies were so unconventionally clear for Scotland. I was genuinely content at that moment and I felt it necessary to pause and immerse myself in the pureness of nature, recognizing how small and insignificant I am among the hills, under the great sky.

Jan 14, 2016 – [Thursday] Song Titles: The Bonnie Banks O’ Loch Lomond

Conic Hill, taken on June 27, 2015

The lochs and hills of Scotland are such lovely treasures of this mystic country – I wonder how many love stories have taken place along the bonnie banks o’ loch lomond, hopefully with better endings than that in the song 😦

Dec 13, 2015 – [Sunday] WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Oops!

Le Semnoz, France, taken on March 21, 2013

Oops! While snowshoeing, Jaro had a great fall – ouch! In hindsight, though, he seemed to have enjoyed his time in the snow, huh!

Nov 22, 2015 – [Sunday] WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Trio

Zhangjiajie, China, taken on August 11, 2010

The most famous trio in Zhangjiajie would have to be these three sisters – made of stone. The “Three Sisters Peak” is one of the many attractions in the scenic areas around Zhangjiajie. I don’t remember what the other two were doing, but the one in the middle was definitely holding onto her newborn baby.