A single raindrop sticks to her neck and breaks the light of the setting sun.

Click, click, click. Refocus. Click click click. Zoom out. Click click click click. Shooting macros without a tripod is difficult. Especially something so fleeting on a living creature. Click click click click. I move closer. Click click click. A smile flits across my lips.

‘Do you want me to stay like this?’

‘Don't speak,’ I say gently, ’or the drop will go away.’

Actually, I thought we were going to photograph the seashore at sunset today. We had bright sunshine when we arrived in the afternoon. We were in good spirits. The spot between the dunes was perfect as a foreground. The grass provided the perfect anchor. Marvelous.

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The approaching thundercloud took us by surprise. Typically, things can happen quickly by the sea. It was pouring with rain and of course there was no shelter to be seen for miles around. Although we had rainproof clothing with us, an oilskin would have been necessary. The rain pelted us in the face and we struggled to protect the cameras with our bodies. Soaked to the bone, we leaned against a dune that offered us some protection.

The thunderstorm was finally over. We went back to our spot. A magnificent rainbow was already appearing as the clouds broke up on the horizon near the setting sun. Click click click. Even though we're wet and cold, it's perfect. And then ... I turn round and see her standing between me and the setting sun. There, on her neck. It glistens there. A single raindrop sticks to her neck and refracts the light of the setting sun. So perfect and so fragile.

‘Don't move,’ I say as I stop her with my hand.

Click click click. Refocus. Click click click. Zoom out. Click click click click. Even though it's cold, even though my clothes are completely soaked. Here it is, one of those moments that are precious and fleeting.