The lily flowers have gone but the large plate-like leaves remain, with their rich brown, almost black leaves punctuating the surface of the water. The underwater tendrils of this prolific but tender plant also remain providing hope and the means for growth next spring.
I hoped for a calm loch but there is a gentle breeze, rendering my plans for the shoot inappropriate. I had hoped to take some multiple exposure shots, edging the second shot a tiny amount to give the sense of an impressionist painting. But for now, it is time to continue with capturing the reality of the autumn season on the loch.
When working in a local area and returning day after day, week after week, and month after month, it is often difficult to observe or recognise the imperceptible march of time and the tiny changes in nature. It is only when the images are combined in a series that the true extent of the march of the seasons becomes apparent. This is the loch only a couple of weeks ago.

Metaphor 143 – Alison Price, August 2022
I wander along the edge of the loch trying to catch a glimpse of the golden, brown, black leaves of the decaying lilies struggling to get a clear line of sight to capture them. As always, the reeds sway almost continuously and occasionally vigorously, even in a gentle breeze – their fragility in plain sight. Although I look for a gap to capture my images, my goal is also to capture the chaotic, and claustrophobic nature of the loch at the end of the growing season.

Metaphor 145 – Alison Price, August 2022

Metaphor 146 – Alison Price, August 2022

Metaphor 147 – Alison Price, August 2022

Metaphor 148 – Alison Price, August 2022

Metaphor 149 – Alison Price, August 2022

Metaphor 150 – Alison Price, August 2022

Metaphor 151 – Alison Price, August 2022
Another change in the loch is the emergence of algae apparently fuelled by a combination of carbon dioxide and sunlight which affects the relative turbidity of the water. This can be caused by debris and animal waste which causes the temperature to rise and the algae to grow. I wonder whether this is a build-up of natural debris over the spring and summer season.

Metaphor 152 – Alison Price, August 2022

Metaphor 153 – Alison Price, August 2022

Metaphor 154 – Alison Price, August 2022
I am pleased with these images. They provide a sense of the Being of the loch, the changing seasons and in due course some contrast to the images of blooming white flowers of the water lilies taken earlier in the year. It is only when these images are shown together that the marching pace of time becomes apparent.
