...I got the image and the midges got me, Scotland in Summer! Ken
Yes, little buggers aren't they?
I have found through much painful experience, that at this time of year when you venture out of the safety of your vehicle and if there isn't a breeze blowing, that you have about three minutes to setup before they arrive, so you have to work quickly. Then having setup, walk briskly away from your camera and tripod for around 50 yards or so if you can. Then wait a moment or two for them to chase over to you and then walk briskly back to your camera, refine your framing and take a shot and repeat until you get what you want - but basically once they arrive, then you cannot stop moving. Also when you do get bitten (usually at the backs of your ears), don't scratch them, or you will be scratching and scratching for days, until you finally start to take the skin off, yet still keep scratching. Better still is to press your fingernail into the itchy bit of the bite to alleviate the itch and then they should go in around a day or so.
I have tried Jungle milk, Skin So Soft and even wearing an all consuming midge jacket and nothing really works other than the ideas mentioned above. So thank god they only come out from late May through to late September
But much worse than the infamous Scottish midge in my opinion, are the New Zealand Sand flies, which are horrendous and which led to my left hand swelling up and looking like an inflated rubber glove. But in first place for my money and head an shoulders above the rest as the worst insects I have ever encountered, is the Canadian Mosquito, which are just pure evil and can even penetrate thick clothing...
Dave
