Gone in a flash

Moments before I took this photo a beautiful Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) emerged from beneath the bridge I'm standing on and sped downstream; you'll just have to imagine it though, as the Kingfisher's an illusive bird, glimpsed more often than seen. The frequent vertical nature of the banks along this section of Highland Water are well suited to the Kingfisher's burrow, and the stream healthy enough to support their dietary needs. I always feel blessed to glimpse these majestic birds, and this morning more so as it remained in sight for longer than usual. I was lucky today.

Highland Water

Above Roman Bridge Highland Water flows between a lower wetland area and higher dry ground, here sections of the bank are unusually high, for forest standards anyway. These higher banks abutting the stream create a perfect environment for one of the forests more elusive inhabitants, the Kingfisher. I didn't see any sign today, though when you do, the slightest glimpse or flash of the Kingfishers electric blue plumage, set your heart racing and spirits flying, even the chance of a sighting adds excitement to a walk. 

King Fisher

Yeah, all right I know, it's not the greatest picture of one of our most colourful birds, but hey, think of it as a 'Where's Wally?' type thing.  For a few days now I've spotted a beautiful Kingfisher darting along this section of Red Rise Brook. It's been notable to me as I can't remember seeing them along this section stream in the past. On the other occasions I'd seen it, it was little more than a fast moving blue flash, though today it paused, perched on a stream side shrub, affording me an extended viewing. Nice.