Last weekend there was a lot of heavy rainin the north of Scotland and the River Spey flooded its banks to a height not seen for many years. Some roads were inundated, as well as low lying fields. Amongst the areas underwater were large parts of the golf club. Creating several very large water hazards for any golfer foolhardy to play certain holes. But as the rain cleared away and the sun came out the river began to subside. As the river slowly returned towards more normal levels large bodies of water remained behind. As you can see from this photograph there are opportunities to take pictures that would, in normal conditions, be impossible. In this instance where there is water in the foreground is usually just the green grass of the fairway. That particular pond has dried up but there are other larger that remain though decreasing in size.
If this was not for the trees protruding out from water you might think that this was a permanent body of water. Not so. The far side of the fence should be the driving range but looks more like a diving range. It was a pity that the larger expanse was more open to the wind that it made it more difficult to get good reflections. But it also attracted goldeneye ducks to land on it a couple of days ago. Though they did not let get close enough to take good pictures. Yesterday I hoped if I went early in the morning then it might be calmer and I could get mirror-like reflections. Alas this was not to be the case. But as surveyed the scene I heard birdsong coming from trees to my left and the bird I spotted was a goldcrest, one of the smallest of British birds which is constantly on the move and therefore difficult to get it in focus long enough to take its picture, but I managed to take two or three.
This is the only one that shows its distinctive crest that gives the bird its name. The picture is uncropped which unusual when taking a picture of such a small bird. Yet another example of using a setback as an opportunity. Spiritually they same can apply. How many times have you heard a testimony whereby what appeared to be a setback led to an opportunity that led to the fulfilment of someone’s calling.
David Rose, 2015.