First Light - All Work on Hold - Alligin Photography

AV3A3085 - Version 2 — Isle of Eigg – as viewed from the office

When the day starts this well then you just have to get outdoors.

Landscape photographer Joe Cornish wrote an excellent book entitled First Light. In the book he explores the effect on photography that light can have. At the moment on Skye the October sunshine is producing some excellent images brought to life through the soft lighting and the clarity of the air. The image of Eigg was taken mid morning as the low rising sun highlighted the texture on the northern flank.

AV3A3112 - Version 2 — A view from the Windrush Cafe – Struan

A drive up through Skye to Struan for a coffee at the Windrush cafe and to drop my wife off before retracing my steps for a leisurely afternoon in Glen Brittle and a stroll up the path to the famous fairy pools.

As per my last visit in the Summer the Allt Coir a’Mhadaidh was again fairly low. A dry October making up for the incessant rain in September. With the heather dying away the broad expanses on the lower slopes were a lovely mix of russets and browns whilst in the more sheltered recesses of the river, Rowan, still laden with berries, provided a splash of vivid colour.

AV3A3121 - Version 2 — Sgurr a’Mhadiach provides the backdrop to the crystal clear but low waters in the burn that flows from the Coire. Rowan berries add colour in the foreground.

AV3A3134 - Version 2 — Higher up the burn and the distinctive shape of Sgurr an Fheadain is clearly visible just left of centre. The lower sun helps bring out the texture on the rock slopes of the Black Cuillin.

My last visit was rewarded with a view of two golden eagles. However this time though I was armed with my long lens the only bird was a soaring buzzard way up above the ridge line. Too soon it was time to return to the Windrush to collect my wife. It wasn’t only me who was starting their journey home.