Photographer's Note
Do you recognise the title of this photograph? "You shall not pass" was used in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy by Gandalf in the Mines of Moria when fighting against the Balrog. Appropriate for this photo, don't you think?
Another question for you: what is the mainland Great Britain's westernmost point? Anyone suggesting it's somewhere in Cornwall is well wide of the mark. It is actually a rocky outcrop called Corrachadh Mςr, just over half a mile south (and two hundred yards west) of Ardnamurchan Point, the tip of a peninsula that extends like an accusing finger between the islands of Mull to its south and Eigg, Rum and more distant Skye to its north.
It takes a little effort to get to Ardnamurchan from the A830 Fort William to Mallaig road before coming south through Acharacle. This involves driving at least 30 miles of single track roads to get to Ardnamurchan Point, and 30 more to return.
But while reaching this most western outpost of mainland Scotland takes effort, being here is worth every ounce of it. West Ardnamurchan is a wild, lonely, and stunningly beautiful place. As you travel west from Kilchoan to Ardnamurchan Point you increasingly feel you must be coming to land's end, but sightings of the lighthouse are at best fleeting in this rock strewn and bumpy landscape.
This photograph was taken on that single track road somewhere near Ardnamurchan Point, the land's end.
Strong and confident male protects his beautiful female, and she is interested only in flowers. Sounds familiar? ;)
I really recommend this long trip to that amazing place!
dougie, alainh, feather, pablominto, Guillem69, broken_nail, dragonslayero, James_mcg έχουν(ει) επιλέξει αυτή τη σημείωση ως χρήσιμη
Critiques | Translate
pablominto
(53746) 2007-12-29 6:38
Hello Matt,
Sheep are such great subjects!
I love to photograph them, I think mostly because of the always present silly expressions...
This is a great couple, and if there is a road near by be sure they will go there, maybe even to take a nap!
Greetings,
Pablo -
dougie
(2523) 2007-12-29 7:14
Hi,
Yes, a fine place indeed, long may the single track remain, and it will with this formidable obstacle to guard it! Looks like he's seen better days, and lots of them, but still up to the task! Thanks.
Dougie.
alainh
(33209) 2007-12-29 11:56
hello Matt
very pleasant picture. the road is for us and only for us !!!
my best wishes Matt for this new year !!
alain
rossy85
(2879) 2007-12-30 3:40
Hi Matt!!!
Very funny picture, it makes me laugh. The nature seems very attractive and as you say, it looks amazing to go there.
Best wishes and Happy New Year!
Rossy
feather
(51130) 2007-12-30 4:06
We did that journey to Ardnamurchan Point some years ago and agree that it is well worth the effort. This fellow is certainly standing his ground. Interesting and funny post
Kath
hifimusicdave (86) 2007-12-30 10:47
Its definitely a "him & her" picture and it would take a brave person to try to pass. His feet are firmly planted on the ground :-)
Those single track roads are part of British culture and it would be a great shame for them to disappear. They are definitely for those people with time to appreciate the beauty around them. Sadly many overseas tourists never experience the backroads. Although born in England I now reside in Canada.
Picture well identified and captured.
Regards David
Guillem69
(4) 2007-12-30 14:54
Thanks for your detailed explanation and comment. The image is so unusual, at the same time well composed, coloured natural, very clear.
danyy
(0) 2008-01-02 22:49
Bonjour Matt,
une photo trθs cocasse et qui met de bonne humeur.
Ce couple a l'air de faire sa petite balade comme la feraient des hommes et des femmes.
Une scθne trθs naturelle et calme.
Je te souhaite une excellente annιe 2008.
Daniel.
broken_nail
(190) 2008-01-05 2:50
Hi Matt!!!
:))) Very very funny!!!
Beautiful colors in your photo and very sharp his sight (I would have not dared to take a picture... compliments!).
About your "sounds familiar?" I say: it should be like this... but...
Thank you for your detailed note!!!
Best Regards
Have a wonderful week-end!!!
Gatti Matti
vero07
(1781) 2008-01-13 9:55
Hi Matt,
Nice and funny image with this lovely couple in the middle of the road. I like very much the sheeps of United Kingdom. They are very different that the ones we have in Spain.
Thanks for your useful note.
Great shot!
kaitlyngentile (8) 2008-06-12 15:42 [Comment]
dragonslayero
(3592) 2008-06-18 9:43
Hello Matt
This photo sort of reminds me of a scene from "Black sheep", maybe not an award winning film but it had its points of interest.
I usually don't find a head on composition very interesting, but in this case I make an exception.
You have managed to add a lot of elements that make this photo become unbalanced in a way that is fitting for a location like this.
It's just the pose this lively guy is posing that is the central part everything else has a harmony behind it that simply makes the scene look both very comical and very calm at the same time.
The colours look very well preserved, the green colour of both the grass and thetrees is preserved well and alltogether makes this scene look very natural.
Thank you for sharing.
Odd Jarle
Btw: Excellent note!
James_mcg (196) 2008-12-22 1:54
Hi Mat, how you doing mate?
Great picture here, your note also had me laughing and SO true to the point. This guy aint moving an inch until his lady has had her flowers & is safely off the road. Then and ONLY then you'll get past, plus as your passing he's sure to give you that "dont push your luck next time, my lady was grazing" stare lol
Have a great Christmas Mat & All The Very Best for 2009!
Jim
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Mat Kowalski (oldsock)
(575)
- Genre: Τοποθεσίες
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 2007-07-00
- Categories: Αστείο, Φύση, Μετακίνηση
- Camera: FujiFilm FinePix S5100
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Θέμα(τα): My favorite photos (8) (Gatti Matti) [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2007-12-29 6:15