Ballaghbeama Gap, County Kerry

Road going through the Gap

Macgillycuddy Reeks still cloudy

Standing stone or landmark close to one of the lakes

Farmhouse in the Bridia Valley

Lough Brin on the left and road trough gap on the right

Ballagbeama Gap is a small road between the mountains and connects the Glencar region to the road to Sneem or Killarney or vice versa if you happen coming from the other side. I went there yesterday morning and parked the car right in the middle of the gap where the information display is situated. From there I walked up on the left hand side, or better north side of the mountain. The ground is still very wet and slippery but the climb was easy enough and the sun made it a joyful exercise. This is the great thing about Kerry, once you have a dry day it will be hard to beat with any other location by the beauty of its scenery. I went up Knockaunattin Mountain with a hight of 784 meter. I could see Kenmare in the distance sunflooded and the Macgillycuddy Reeks with  some wonderful clouds hanging at the top.
To my surprise there were a few lakes up there. One of them had what appears to me like a standing stone right next to it now leaning down. The blue of the sky was very intense and the farmhouses near Lough Brin and on the other side in Bridia Valley were well to spot. The air was clear after all the rain we had in the recent past. After lunch I started my way down which was a challenge and I ended up several times on the wet ground. The tripod did a good job  as walking stick but I still slipped and fell. The camera was well protected in my Lowepro flipside AW400.
The photos were taken with a 50 and 100 mm macro lens and polarizer filter all on tripod.

A fabulous day in the Kerry Mountains

Saturday was cold and clear, so I decided to go to the Macgillycuddy Reeks to take some photos and see if I can prepare a few routes for my upcoming workshops. I walked up towards Caher slowly taking pictures here and there and checking the ground. I´ve made it almost to the top but decided to turn back, as I knew sunset would be around 5 pm. when I arrived back at the car Lough Accoose was  just covered with great evening light. all photos taken with tripod.

Snow on the Kerry Mountains

Carrauntoohil with cross and climbers from Lough Acoose

Lough Caragh on the way to Glencar

The Macgillycuddy Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland

Reflection on Lough Acoose

View from the foot of Caher Mountain towards the mountain range near Kells

I spent the last two days near the Macgillycuddy Mountains, even walked up a bit. The weather was just fantastic, very clear and wonderful light. The first image shows Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland, I could even see the cross full of ice and some climbers having a rest under the cross.
Some Warning: Do not go there if you dont have alpine climbing
equipment and experience!
I walked up from Lough Acoose and found some old buildings, some wild goats and of course sheep.
Lough Acoose was only half frozen on Sunday, a good opportunity to take pictures with the snow covered mountains reflecting in the water.
The last two photos were taken at Lake Caragh, a famous
fishing spot, but for the moment the boats are resting.