It was a warm evening in the west of Ireland last summer when we stopped to photograph at the famous Pine Island in Connemara, the western part of Galway.

There wasn't much sunlight left as clouds rolled in for a wet and windy finish to the day but the calm conditions we encountered here made the day's photography more than worthwhile.

An almost perfect reflection, low cloud wisping across the mountains and colourful sunset skies created an image that many say remind them of other places, not so much Ireland.

Even from those who have been here, the scenery is more reminiscent of tropical locales such as the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Pine Island is a place I visit often, join me to improve your photography in Ireland this year - places available throughout 2024.

Few places in the west of Ireland can compete with the scenic beauty of Pine Island and its attractiveness for the photographer.

The small island sitting Derryclare Lough is covered with a fine stand of Scots Pine trees, a native conifer to Ireland the Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris is one of the most obvious trees in the Irish landscape. Here, in the west of Ireland in particular, they grow in places that other trees can't. Out of craggy rocks, on the edge of boggy ground and at altitude.

It's a tree that Monty Python rightly described as the Mighty Scots Pine in their famous Lumberjack Song performed by Michael Palin.

Unfortunately, Ireland's state electricity utility ESB have decided to plaster this fine landscape with electricity poles and cables that pass across the lake via the island.

It's a shame but Pine Island still retains a special charm in all conditions and it is a favoured place for Panoramic Ireland's photography workshops.