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Snowdonia in Autumn can be absolutely dreadful, with grey skies, rain and lashing winds that make any excursion out of the car park a hazardous and unpleasant event, best avoided.
Occasionally though, a weather front will move through the area, and the clear, fresh air following behind will transform the mountains, lakes and valleys into a photographer's paradise.
For the first few hours after the rain has cleared the light has a crystal clear quality to it, as all the dust and most of the humidity have been washed from the skies.
Such was the case on this day in late 2006, which found me climbing the Pyg Track up the side of Snowdon. Looking back over my shoulder towards the Glyderau range of mountains I was entranced as the low sun of early winter picked out highlights and shadows in the undulating terrain, and the golden bracken and heather seemed to glow in the afternoon light.
To complete the scene, a standing wave of light cumulus cloud sat gently caressing the very peaks of the Glyderau, whilst high overhead the last vestiges of cirrus hung in the stratosphere.
Some photos you have to strive for over many hours of fruitless vigil, most times with no result at the end, but all I had to do here was point and click to record the fleeting beauty of what was in front of my eyes before carrying on up to the summit of Snowdon.
Filename - mountain 06.jpg
Camera - Canon 350D
Lens - 18-55mm zoom @18mm
Exposure - 1/25sec @ f11, ISO100
Location - Glyderau, Snowdonia
This image - 800x533px JPEG
Conversion - ACR & PS-CS2
Comments - Polarising filter used to enhance colours.
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