Watching gangs of Swifts feeding at sunset is like watching air combat manoeuvres (ACM)- the tactical art of moving, turning, and situating one's fighter aircraft in order to attain a position from which an attack can be made on another aircraft - namely insects. They are incredible flyers that rarely touch the ground - sleeping, eating, bathing and even mating on the wing, They are also the fastest birds in level flight, with an impressive top speed of 69mph. Swifts are on the red list of the UK Conservation Status Report due to loss of nesting sites in old buildings. The Circular Economy would enable more of these old buildings to be retained and repurposed while keeping nesting sites for these most acrobatic birds.
west coast of scotland
Cyclical
Still on a water theme and the hypnotic effect of the repetitive roll of waves overlaid with a spring cuckoo repeating its refrain reinforcing the endless of cycles of nature.
A lockdown of mist
Mid December, west coast Scotland enters in own version of lockdown. Everything is a hazy shadow of its real self - half in this world and half in the next. A rare moment of brightness to realise its an inversion with the sun pressing down on the heavy blanket of mist. The gone.
Safe Haven
Trying to capture the anxiety that sailors must feel when needing to find safety when weather conditions turn - especially when the closest is already a crowded space jostling with other boats. Anxiety can continue if its only an anchor hold and through the night they are the mercy of that slim thread.