Low Tatras: Snowy Peaks

Longing for some snowy landscapes I decided to visit the slovakian mountains. I opted for the Low Tatras because of the weather conditions. I aimed the Dumbier peak as a maximum target. I drove until the Trangoska holiday resort at about 1130 meters high. From here I set off towards the Stefanika rest-house. I worried about the lack of snowshoes but eventually it's not needed as the 20-30 cm snow is well trod on the path that rises moderately first, but later is steeper. I can reach the rest-house at 1726 m without much difficulty. The wind blows thick clouds from the valley, so I can't enjoy the scene long, instead I go into the house and have a delicious goulash. Strenghening this way I start towards the Dumbier. The wind gets strong and the sky towards north-east clears up suddenly, so the High Tatras become visible as well:

High Tatras

High Tatras

High Tatras

High Tatras

In the other direction a cloud quilt has formed:

While photographing the time runs, so I give up the "peak attack" and turn back for I don't want to get home too late.
The valley is still full of clouds ...:

... but the clouds are gathering here as well:

I get back quite quickly, so I don't even need to use the headlight.

Bükk mountains: Tar-kő

Today I paid a visit to Tar-kő in Bükk mountains. I set off early coming from Répáshuta and at 9 o'clock I was already climbing. The first viewpoint was Három-kő. It was a nice scene, but I think one can get a more beautiful landscape when the forests are dressed in autumn colours. I took a 2,5 km walk from here to Tar-kő. The sky was overcast but only above the mountains. In the plain the sun was shining. So, I decided to wait the sunset then I took a few shots:

View from Tar-kő

View from Tar-kő

An "air passageway":

After sunset it's getting dark quickly, so I had to walk back mainly in darkness, with a lamp of course.

In The Zemplén Mountains Again

The meteorologists predicted some fog for today morning around Háromhuta, so I decided to drive to Újhuta yesterday evening to take advantage of the early morning haze. Getting there however the wildlife guardians stopped me and told me that I was not allowed to stay there for the rally would take place there next morning. So, I drove back to Háromhuta. Sleeping in the car and starting early in the morning towards Mlaka meadow still in darkness. The fog appears after climbing about 50 meters. At the Mlaka meadow I decide to visit the Sólyom-bérc. During my way I can hear a shrill whistle of a mouflon. I catch sight of it for a moment before it disappears in the fog. I can see nothing on the Sólyom-bérc because of the fog, so I set off towards Kerek-kő when the fog starts to disappear:

During my way I can see some fog only in the valley:

Last time on the Kerek-kő the light conditions were quite bad, this time it's better:

View From The Kerek-kő

View From The Kerek-kő

View From The Kerek-kő

View From The Kerek-kő

Two Days In Zemplén Mountains

I spent two days in Zemplén mountains the other weekend.

On first day afternoon I started from Középhuta towards Sólyom-bérc and I intended to spend the evening under the starry sky.

At sunset I can see the silhouette of the Regéc castle from Sólyom-bérc:

Regéc castle

Regéc castle

As soon as the sun goes down I can hear the voice of an eagle owl nearby. After sunset I have to wait for the stars to appear. One can see only on the 30 seconds exposure photo that the sun still has some lights on the horizon:

On the Sólyom-bérc

On the Sólyom-bérc

The starry Mlaka meadow:

On the Mlaka-meadow

It takes about one hour from here to get back to the car but walking through the night forest wich is full of life is a great experience. Though I can only hear sounds but the fallen leaves are rattling very often around under the feet of animals of different sizes.
Next day I set off towards Újhuta. Leaving the village behind I park the car in front of a barrier. From here I go on walking:

I take my way to Kerek-kő, unfortunately the light conditions are not very good there.
Next day I start early in the morning, I don't know yet exactly my destination, I'll see...
I try to record the hazy forest:

The morning sunshine has a good effect on the hazy air:

Getting higher the mist disappears, however there is still some haze in the valley:

After crossing the Mlaka meadow I get to the Sólyom-bérc again having a try here but it's not what I expected.
Getting back to the car I catch sight of a salamander! I manage to take a few shots of it before I start home:

Fire Salamander

Fire Salamander

Lake Vekeri: Autumn Feeling

It's a long time since I last made a photo worth showing, I've been waiting for the beautiful autumn colours since the end of summer. This morning everything looked good for this: colourful leaves, dew, sunshine, free time. So, I gave it a try at Lake Vekeri nearby:

Mikepércs: Bearded Reedlings And Bluethroats

The surface of the pondbed doesn't glitter anymore of water which can be favourable for the photos... If there's anything to shoot at.
The water rails make their usual round at the edge of the reed. A small flock of bearded reedlings lands on the wet ground nearby where they are picking something. It's difficult to photograph them because of the reed, but sometimes they come out to the open area:

Bearded Reedling (male)

A few bluethroats are also nearby, one of them finds something for itself in front of me:

Bluethroat

It's moving quickly, so I can't follow it properly, I only suppose that it has swallowed the big mouthful:

Bluethroat

Bluethroat

Bluethroat

Alike the bearded reedlings it turns up severeal times nearby:

Bluethroat

Mikepércs: Wasp Spider

I visited the meadow nearby this morning looking for macro themes. There were not many arthropods, but I could select from many wasp spider cobwebs:

Wasp Spider

Mikepércs: Only A Water Rail

In contrast to the title, not only one water rail turned up today in front of my hide, but it's true that there are few birds as there is nearly only mud in the pond bed. In the early hours 3-4 young water rails make a hunt on the area. However a wood sandpiper, a great egret and a Temminck's stint appeared too. Only the surroundings is not very good for photography with this amount of mud, so I show only one water rail shot this time:

Young Water Rail

Făgăraș Mountains: Where One Should Return To

As part of a six day jurney to Transylvania this morning we drive up from our quarters at the beginning of the Transfăgărășean road to the Bâlea lake at 2034 m. From there we set off towards the Capra lake on the hiking trail. Slowly clouds start to flow from the valley towards the peak and we can't see anything soon except the stones around us. We know that we should go upwards and after half an hour we reach the Capra saddle. Meanwhile the clouds start to disappear and the 2507 m high Buteanu peak becomes visible behind the mist:

The Buteanu Peak

On the other side of the saddle near the Capra lake we see this landscape:

The Capra lake

At the outflow of the lake another small shallow lake has formed:

Getting back to the Bâlea lake the sky has cleared up:

The Bâlea lake

There are beautiful places here which I'd like to record so I have to return here and of course I want to climb the peak as well which was cancelled this time.