Although there are two high tides each day in the bays of Plockton, when the moon is new or full the water level is much higher. This full bowl of water gives wonderful reflections, and I caught this in the early evening on the eve of Junes full moon. Sometimes called the flower moon or the hay moon, although it’s light is visible for only a few hours of the summers short nights, it still exerts it’s influence on the sea.
Filling the bay so full that the grass and flowers at the edge of the water become submerged, and without a breath of a breeze, the liquid reflections are almost perfect. The landscape is painted for a second time on the sea, and in the soft evening light peace settles over the bay.
You can see that the causeway has vanished into the water, and the only way over to Rhu is around the long way. When I was a girl, you would find the highland cows down at the sea on an evening like this. They would wade into the water to cool down, and gaze around content with their lot. There were also wild geese who would chase you along the shore, but all the animals are now safely tucked away behind fences and gates.
I think Plockton looks at its prettiest when the tide is high and the moon is full, and the reflections are still and clear.
breathofgreenair 
I’d like to see those cows doing some body surfing. That would be cool!
It was lovely seeing the cows down at the water, but now they don’t roam so freely. Just down the road in the next village I caught some wading in the little river cooling off last time I passed through…..must post those images 🙂
Pingback: The unexpected depths of shallow water | Welcome to Pairodox Farm
Did I tell you that I shared the words from your post Tidal Shift with a friend of mine? That last paragraph in particular and these words “Our lives, like this tidal bay, will fill again even when we feel most empty”. We both thought they were wonderful!
These images are lovely, too
It looks a place to re visit time and time again Seonaid . Love your girlhood memory 🙂
The thought of gathering cows at end of day down by the waters is rather nice I must say … but probably scared a few souls – they can tend to be jittery at times !
How lovely it must have been to see cows and wild geese down by the water! Such a peaceful looking place, and those reflections are eye-boggling. 🙂
Yes, tides are just another one of those clock-like patterns by which we live our lives … whether we realize it or not. Being land-locked in Pennsylvania I sometimes forget about tides … but when I was a kid, and when I visit the summer home that Joanna’s parents hold, I am reminded. Sorry … but the teacher in me cannot resist … here are two really, really, good links. The first is to a discussion of tides in general, and the second is an animation which explains the phenomena of neap and spring tides (the subject of your current post). Thanks Seonaid for reminding me of these beautiful, natural, pattern.
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_tides/welcome.html
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/tides/media/supp_tide06a.html
wonderful post on this pretty village, with water and moon linked to double our pleasure 🙂
Places with mixed-up tides confuse the heck out of me, like the Solent, but Plockton is a lovely place to be confused in.
Those reflections make one wonder if one needs new spectacles!
Lovely to see a little more of this special place 🙂
Thanks Gilly….I must be careful not to bore everyone……but it really is so pretty when the tide is high 🙂
Mirrored waters…truly beautiful! Smiled at your description of the cows wandering down at high tide and being content with their lot. You put the reader ‘there’. p.s. cows being such curious creatures, can’t help wonder if they also enjoy catching their reflection in those bright clear waters? 🙂
You know I’m certain you’re right, and that the cows would have enjoyed a little peep into the mirror to admire their shaggy coats and long curving horns!
It was always lots of fun when the cows wandered freely, but they often caused chaos, invading gardens and with visiting drivers being scared to move them out of the way…..they would sit across the road enjoying the drama which unfolded. We would often get a cheer from a convoy waiting to drive past if we shooed them off the road 🙂
oh those coos. Drama queens. luv it! 🙂
I have always been envious of the position of that end white house – now I am not so sure 🙂
It’s a beautiful spot at a high tide like this……and the houses are always safe…..you just get the waves lapping at the garden walls!
One of the houses out on the rocks at Rhu is a holiday let, and people renting it often fear they are to be flooded….but then the tide turns and all is well!
I am reassured – given the opportunity, I would move in tomorrow 🙂
Breathtaking shots. Do the houses every flood?
No, never…..the houses are built on solid rock, and this kind of high tide is as high as it gets! It’s a sheltered bay, which is why the yachts and boats moor here, so even in a storm these houses will be safe 🙂
You’ve captured the traquility and beauty of this special place!
Thanks Amy, it was a beautiful peaceful evening.