June'22 | Wee Binnian Tor, Mourne Mountains, Co. Down, N.Ireland
For this year's Summer Solstice a group of us decided an evening hike in the Mournes would be the perfect way to welcome in the beginning of summer. So together with Little Wild Life Photography, we ventured up wee Binnian’s tor to enjoy the view. Although the plan was to capture the solstice sunset in the hills, the weather had other plans for us! This overcast weather however, turned out to provide an equally impressive sight, as the low hanging cloud floated across the hillside, occasionally parting to reveal the dark blue landscape underneath.
This mysterious and moody atmosphere was beautifully documented by the talented Little Wild Life Photography, as seen in the photos shared in this blog. Capturing the beauty in the smaller details, their photography perfectly echoed the quiet contemplativeness of this evening in the hills, as we allowed ourselves to be humbly present amongst the grandeur of the mountain-scape.
Marking the longest day of the year, when the sun is at its highest elevation in the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice is an event which has been celebrated and ritualized throughout time. For me, consciously setting intentions to mark these moments of shifting seasons with a small ritual, like a walk in the mountains, allows space for an appreciation of this incredible earth, which sustains all life.
With this heightened sense of gratitude for our natural environment, I can't think of a better way to celebrate the Solstice than with good company, a hot drink in the mountains and a quick plein air study! Little Wild Life Photography, also very kindly documented my plein air process, from sketch to watercolour as I quickly tried to jot down the shapes and colours emerging from the clouds, before a thick mizzle descended on the page!
Little Wild Life Photography beautifully captures all of life's adventures, and offers a wide range of photography packages! To find out more, you can find visit their website, or instagram page here: