Notes and Images from a Small Island (Practice 11 Day 9)

After the glorious day yesterday, true to form on Skye, the weather has changed, and it is misty and murky.  The air is still without a breath of wind.  I drive down to the loch, in the hope of some strong colours and reflections, to provide contrast to yesterday’s images.  However, the white sky casts a lifeless filter over the water producing a dismal scene.  As I walk along the edge of the reeds, I can see that the shooting spots of yesterday will not yield the same treasure today.  I set up my tripod in the hope of capturing the sultry reality of today.

As I mount my camera on the tripod, I realise I am not alone.  The combination of water, relatively warm temperatures, and no wind on Skye equal midges.  But these conditions also lead to perfect reflections.  I take a handful of shots and realise I am being bitten mercilessly.

A cloud of tiny creatures has formed around my head.  I run for the car, pulling my hood over my head as I go  I put my camera bag and tripod in the car and jump in, only to find they have joined me, as they continue to bite.  Locals on Skye will tell you not to kill a midge, because many more will turn up for its funeral!

Unfortunately, I know from bitter experience that you must admit defeat in these circumstances.  I have tried “Smidge”, but I worry about the chemical effect on my camera, a fetching net over my head but if one gets inside the outcome is much worse than not wearing it, or grin and bear it.

I am tempted not to record this experience, but it is very much the reality of working on Skye.  Here are the few images I managed to capture.