Sunset Ruined by Pesky Bugs at Lookout Point

Sunset Ruined by Pesky Bugs at Lookout Point

Hi friends!

Thought I would share a silly story about trying to photograph one of those perfect sunsets here in Da Nang, Vietnam the other evening. I rode up to this gorgeous lookout on the pier that peers over the golden bay. Great spot to watch the sun sink into the sea most nights. But this time, my shoot got cut short by an invasion of nasty little ants with wings swarming! Couldn't get the full color show I wanted thanks to those buzzing bugs.

I drove across town as the golden hour light started hitting, excited to shoot the colorful transition. Reaching the lookout, the outlook was sublime - cotton clouds tinted tangerine, the sun a hot ember sending neon beams upward. I framed up a killer composition in anticipation.

Just as magic hour hit fully, I felt something tickling my arms. Suddenly the air filled with thousands of tiny flying black ants! Turns out winged ants sometimes emerge to mate. But their timing could not have been worse for my photo plans.

They swarmed all over, crazy tickly and annoying. I tried toughing it out taking more shots but kept inhaling bugs up my nose or spitting them off my lips accidentally. Pretty tough to focus on aperture settings when battling airborne pests! I could barely see with ants crowding my eyes. My dreamy sunset shoot turned into a battle I quickly lost.

I included a couple quick pics that hint at the dramatic colors starting to spill over the horizon before I admitted defeat. But between smudged lenses and flailing limbs, capturing photography glory was hopeless in the thickening insect chaos.

Maybe next time! Here's to less bugs, and more stunning colorful sunsets ahead friends!