Autumn colours are rather picturesque for landscape photographers. This is what made us plan a trip to a place which is not rather popular: Vratchanski balkan. Situated only about an hour drive north of Sofia it is still rather preserved with open plateau and meadows, deep gorges, and old forest. That is where we decided to go and enjoy the autumn colors.
I woke up shortly after 6 a.m. to pick up the other two photographers in the group and off we went. After a few short stops for coffee we were there. Mist and evaporation over Iskar river had covered the view but created rather special atmosphere. There were quite a few mushrooms which main subject of our discussions during the day.
Autumn forest © Iordan Hristov
Mushroom © Iordan Hristov
Mushroom © Iordan Hristov
A short walk took up to a lovely view point looking over Iskar river. With the rising sun the mist was going away.
Iskar river © Iordan Hristov
We aimed to reach an area called Kobilini steni. A large rock complex where we intended to stay until sunset. The track was pretty long and it took us about four hours to reach the rock complex. Along the track we stopped quite a few times to take pictures of more mushrooms, flowers and landscapes. Well, that’s what we are here for.
Wild Crocus © Iordan Hristov
Along the track we witnessed a group of 40 Great Cormorant flying over the mountain and a young Golden Eagle approaching them. Once the Cormorants were gone, two Eurasian Sparrowhawks and a Long-legged Buzzard came over to inspect the young intruder. What a spectacle, three species of raptor in view at the same time. What a size comparison. Even the Long-legged Buzzard looked pretty small for the Goldie. Further along a Grey Wagtail and couple of Black Redstarts were making use of a mountain water tap. In this dry area, there aren’t many places for the birds. A flock of 80 or so Alpine Choughs and two ravens announced our arrival at the rock complex.
Autumn colors © Iordan Hristov
Kobilini steni © Iordan Hristov
After taking a few pictures we decided to go. The road was long and the sunset didn’t look very promising with no clouds to create an atmosphere for a proper landscape image. Anyway it was a superb trip for a day out.
Iordan~ Thank you for sharing your lovely and brilliantly colored fall images! I try to get outside when I can in the fall in Northern Virginia in the United States. We have Great Blue Herons, American Bald Eagles, Canada Geese, Osprey, and many other wildlife and beautiful colors with the leaves changing into dramatic shades such as orange, red, yellow and brown before they fall to the ground. It is always good to visit where you live!
Hi Nancy, Bulgaria is a beautiful country indeed. Thanks for reading my posts. You are very welcome to come over and I am more than happy to take you arround if interested.
Thanks for following my posts.
Best
Iordan
very nice pictures! I’m really interested to see the bulgarian autumn one day!!
You are very welcome to Bulgaria. Fall is just starting now. Will be announcing a landscape photography trip for fall colors in 2018 or 2019 so can add you to the list if interested.