Notes and Images from a Small Island (Practice 11 Day 6)

An impromptu visit to Loch Cill Chriosd shows a change in its colours and hues, marking the transition between seasons and the long march into autumn.   I had journeyed along the road to Elgol in search of mist over the water as it had been foggy for a couple of days, but when I arrive, it is sunny and windy.  The reeds and lilies are being buffeted by a strong southerly wind and the surface of the water is choppy.  But it is the change in the colours that catch my eye.

Autumn comes early on Skye and can extend well into November.   It is a time of vibrant colours – russets, ochres, and the pinks and purples of heather on the hills.  The reeds and lilies lose the intense green summer tones giving way to a more autumnal and earthy palette.  With a blue sky overhead, the loch looks quite different to a couple of weeks before when I was photographing the water lily blooms.  The first image below was taken on 19 July and the second taken today 13 August clearly shows the seasonal shift.  The deep greens and purples of the lily leaves have given way to oranges and yellow-greens.

With a strong wind and lots of movement in the reeds on the water, the challenge is to find less chaotic viewpoints while capturing a glimpse of the changing seasons.  I soon realise that most of the water lily flowers have dipped below the surface. I turn my attention to picking out the leaves and tendrils that combine to create an underwater network of connections – the entangled life of the loch – providing a sense of its interiority.  These multiple exposure images afford the viewer a glimpse of what lies beyond the surface and the reflections a sense of the chaos that lies above the clear waters.

Autumn is one of my favourite seasons.  I love the earthy tones and the contrast of those with the often clear blue skies.  I am looking forward to an extended period of practice from September through November following the lifecycle of the reeds and other aquatic plants.