I was working on contract for SNH at Beinn Eighe NNR in Wester Ross, and had a decision to make on an intensely cold, roads-blocked-with-snow day - stay low and comfortable or go high and get well out of the comfort zone. Yes, high was the only choice.
Coire Mhic Fearchair is a high coire (cirque) that contains a small loch. The loch was partly frozen, but the spray from the still-liquid bit was blowing off and had coated the grass and rocks surrounding it in crystalline ice.
This image shows several grass stalks encased in their own crystal straitjackets. It's not great art, but a simple illustration of weather, season and place.
It was well sub-zero, into double-digits, and the windchill was wicked. It was hard work, but the images from that day were very pleasing and it was satisfying to have wrestled from an otherwise hostile day, some work that portrayed what winter is like on the high tops in the Scottish highlands.
And I guess the moral is - it might be easier to be safe and comfy, but when the weather is 'interesting' its probably worth getting out in it, because good old mother nature often rewards your effort.
Perhaps something to bear in mind as we slide deeper into December!
Canon EOS, 35-350 zoom, tripod, thermal underpants with fleece gusset, balaclava & 2 bars of Kendal Mint Cake.
Posted by John Robinson on December 8, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Excellent ! Tells the tale and well described. Worth the effort.
(I nearly ended up as warden at Inverpolly many years back ! - looks vey cold compared too Petrborough where they sent me ! )
Posted by Tim Taylor on December 8, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Brrrr - snuggles closer to radiator. Strange figures made by the spray and grass there. Definitely needs to explanation to go with it. Very well illustrated.
Interesting image and story John, I'd certainly substitute a bit of cold weather down here for all the rain we're getting.
Simon
Posted by Craig Jones on December 9, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Great story behing the image and a lovely image to boot John,thanks for sharing that
Posted by Edwin kats on December 9, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Thanks for the story and please send some cold this way. Wonderful image. Well seen and very creative. Good stuff as usual.
Edwin Kats
Posted by Major Gilbert on December 9, 2009 at 4:23 PM
John its not every day you get to don a fleece gusset must have been painful for you.
Gret effort and an insite for us aall to get out and about when its cold or inclement in some way.
Discussion
6 repliesCoire Mhic Fearchair is a high coire (cirque) that contains a small loch. The loch was partly frozen, but the spray from the still-liquid bit was blowing off and had coated the grass and rocks surrounding it in crystalline ice.
This image shows several grass stalks encased in their own crystal straitjackets. It's not great art, but a simple illustration of weather, season and place.
It was well sub-zero, into double-digits, and the windchill was wicked. It was hard work, but the images from that day were very pleasing and it was satisfying to have wrestled from an otherwise hostile day, some work that portrayed what winter is like on the high tops in the Scottish highlands.
And I guess the moral is - it might be easier to be safe and comfy, but when the weather is 'interesting' its probably worth getting out in it, because good old mother nature often rewards your effort.
Perhaps something to bear in mind as we slide deeper into December!
Canon EOS, 35-350 zoom, tripod, thermal underpants with fleece gusset, balaclava & 2 bars of Kendal Mint Cake.
(I nearly ended up as warden at Inverpolly many years back ! - looks vey cold compared too Petrborough where they sent me ! )
Tim
Simon
Edwin Kats
Gret effort and an insite for us aall to get out and about when its cold or inclement in some way.
Major.