Sun in peat bog
Sun and dragonfly in bog pool
Dragonfly and peat bog reflections
These photos were taken in a Scottish peat bog, deep in the Scottish Highlands, and I was captivated by the clarity and depth of reflection in the dark peaty water. The sky seemed to fill the pool with mesmerising reflections and it made me think about the Celtic otherworld, a spiritual place which they believed lay beneath the everyday world we see and inhabit. The pools of water in peat bogs were seen as sacred gateways to the otherworld, and offerings and sacrifices are believed to have been placed here to harness otherworldy and mystical powers.
When the sun disappeared behind a cloud the reflections became even more mysterious, and I love the way its dazzling light is diffused through the cloud and then reflected on the water….it becomes almost moon like, and the blue daytime sky darkens, giving a mystical feel to the pool. It was a deeply relaxing and spiritually uplifting experience, and I stayed for hours, despite the midges.
I had come here to try to get some photos of the giant blue dragonflies which breed here, and if you look closely you will see dragonflies in two of the three photos. I find them fascinating and otherworldly in themselves, with their glittering iridescent bodies, and their transformational life-cycle, changing from water grub to beautiful high fliers! All very mystical and mysterious.
I’ve posted this to take part in where’s my backpacks’ weekly travel photo challenge: mystical. Click the link to see more photos on this theme, and join in if you want.
wheresmybackpack.com – travel theme: mystical
Here are one or two entries from other bloggers
breathofgreenair 
Mystical and mysterious indeed. I enjoyed your poetic writing, as well.
Exquisite, elemental and mysterious. Thank you for sharing these,how amazing to photograph.
Thank you….I was utterly entranced by the way the light reflected off the peaty water….and I was originally trying to photograph dragonflies! There is a very otherworldly atmosphere around these ancient peat bogs which I find very soothing 🙂
I couldn’t agree more. Water is such an enchanting and mysterious element…..I love it in all its forms. It seems to lift my emotions. Thanks for the compliment 🙂
Wow – really stunning shots!
Thanks…nature produces some wonderful effects 🙂
I can see why you were transfixed by the watery bogs – lovely! Thanks for visiting.
Glad you enjoyed these photos…..the sunlight and reflections were mesmerising…and that wasn’t even what I went to photograph. Love that when it happens!
I think water is mystical in all its forms and you’ve captured some great shots here
That’s very kind of you. The shots are quite strange and I had no idea how to try and capture what I was seeing….but I was really pleased how they came out. I like being stretched by my subjects!!
How beautiful – the first one is really wonderful
Thanks for your lovely feedback. It was an amazing place to be…..with the sky shiining back at me from below my feet 🙂
So pretty!
Thank you 🙂 Really appreciate the feedback.
There is much mystery in water. Beautiful photos.