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| Sub zero temperatures at Easter |
I say it every year around February. 'Winter isn't over until at least mid-April'. Right again this season. This morning it was around minus 3 C in Aviemore and snowing overnight into today. Of course you also know that the odds of getting snow falling at Easter time far outweigh getting a 'White Christmas ', don't you?
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| Monadhliath with fresh snow |
I took a walk onto my usual Mountain Hare photography area in the Monadhliath this morning. With strong winds and constant snow showers forecasted I wasn't hope9ful of getting any quality images today. It was more of just a walk in the snow.
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| Snow and ice |
Above 700m the winds from the NW were very cold and around 40mph. Constant, light snow showers and generally poor visibility. There were a few beaks in the cloud and a bit of sun but these were short lived, lasting 5 or 10 minutes before another bout of cold, snowshowers.
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| The 'one that got away' |
My best moment to get a decent photo of a lovely hare was dashed when the visibility dropped and I saw him just leap out of his wee snowhole. When the weather is like this these wonderful creatures will dig into a snow drifts and get themselves out of the brutal winds.
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| 5 seconds and my binoculars are snowed up |
You know you're in for a rough, challenging wildlife day when your binoculars get snowed up after 5 seconds and the camera gets coated in rime ice! I got to see around 10 hares but very poor visibility and they took flight.
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| The odd bright spell between showers |
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| Graupel |
After midday the snow showers turned into Graupel showers. This is a snow pellet, rounded in the winds. Not nice for your eyes and a dangerous layer in the snowpack when assessing avalanche conditions.
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| Less windy here |
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| Heading home and leaving the weather behind |
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| Still freezing at lower altitudes |
Sometimes with wildlife photography you have to call it a day and go home 'empty handed'. My eyes were relived from the cold, icy winds as I headed back in another sunny spell. It didn't last long. More Graupel showers even at 300m.
Staying very cold and snowy until the end of the week.
Love it.
Winter ain't over, not by a long way.
Don't forget restrictions ease on the 26th April.
Last chance to get a winter skills or guiding day before seasons out. We should have some excellent snow if you're keen to get out.
Tarmachan Mountaineering is here for you!
www.tarmachan-mountaineering.org.uk
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| The Cairngorms just visible late in the day |
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| April showers |
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