Baiso

So far this year winter refuses to  give way to spring.  The weather has made it almost impossible to get out and do some serious walking.

Two Sundays ago I decided to try and further  explore  Rio della Rocca. The afternoon seemed passable  but as soon as I got to the Orrido it started to rain intermittently.  I wanted to try and explore the middle section of the Orrido. After a hard climb I discovered that it would have been better to have climbed up on the other side.  It was now raining quite hard so it was time to get back to the car.

The Orrido di  Rio Campovecchio, RE

The Orrido di  Rio Campovecchio, RE

The Orrido di  Rio Campovecchio, RE

The Orrido di  Rio Campovecchio, RE

The Orrido di  Rio Campovecchio, RE

 

I still had some time and the rain showed some signs of stopping, so I decided to go and photograph the Calanchi  at Baiso.  The light was a bit flat but the rain had brought out the many colours of the mud.

The colours are due to minerals such as iron and calcium present in the clay.

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Calanchi, Baiso,RE

Last Saturday I decided on a circular walk that I have been planning to do for ages.  The walk starts at Cassinago, Baiso and ends at the Castle of Baiso. 

Cassinago is a typical Apennine  “Borgo”   with a nice tower house.  The rest of the walk was nothing special, just some nice views.  When I arrived at the castle it was impossible to see it. 

Cassinago, Baiso,RE

Cassinago, Baiso,RE

Cassinago, Baiso,RE

Cassinago, Baiso,RE

Roe Deer  or "Capriolo" in Italian.

 

During the week I went a couple of times to photograph Vercallo a  medieval  “Borgo”  near Casina RE.

This is one of my favourite spots in the low Apennines. I also wanted to see how the Olympus handles the yellow stone which is used for building here.  The D300 often had problems reproducing the colour of this stone,  the Olympus  with its newer sensor does a much better job. 

Vercallo, Casina, RE

Vercallo, Casina, RE

Vercallo, Casina, RE

Vercallo, Casina, RE

Vercallo, Casina, RE

Vercallo, Casina, RE

Vercallo, Casina, RE

 

 

 AMA DIO NON FA(L)LIRE FA BENE E LASCIA DIRE LI 9 GIUGNO 1671".

Vercallo, Casina, RE

Vercallo, Casina, RE

A Long Winter

What a horrible winter we have had here in Reggio Emilia this year.  It always seems to be snowing or raining when I have some free time.

Lago Pranda, Cerreto, RE

 I have managed to get out  into the mountains just a couple of times in the last two months.

I went to Lago Pranda near the Cerreto pass . Lots of snow but not a very inspiring walk, this lake is far more interesting in Autumn or Spring. On the way back I stopped at Cerreto Alpi an isolated mountain village.

Cerreto Alpi, RE

Cerreto Alpi, RE

Cerreto Alpi, RE

Cerreto Alpi, RE

 Last Sunday I decided to climb up to Lago Verde in the Parco Cento Laghi area.  There was a metre of hard compact snow so walking was quite easy.  The sense of peace in this place is always present.  It  was a bit late to take any interesting photographs , as the sun had already dropped behind the mountains.  But I had an enjoyable walk all the same.

Lago Verde , PR

Lago Verde , PR

Monte Acuto, Collagna, RE

Alpe di Succiso, Collagna, RE

Mont Acuto after sunset, Collagna, RE

In my lunch break I have been a couple of times into the foothills above Quattro Castella. The calanchi covered in snow are always interesting to photograph. 

Out of our Kitchen window, Reggio Emilia

Quattro castella, RE

Quattro castella, RE

Quattro castella, RE

Quattro castella, RE

Quattro castella, RE

Quattro castella, RE

Quattro castella, RE

 I am still trying to come to terms with the new 4/3 camera system I bought in January. I am now beginning to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Olympus  E M5. 

Grassano., RE

Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Canossa, RE

 I was able to confirm that the reduced weight  (without loss of image quality) is a big advantage  when  walking in the mountains.