Some days just sighting a Kingfisher is enough and somehow I know if the number is likely to be up with capturing one with the camera. Today was one such day with a sighting 30 minutes into an 8 hour trek then no more. The constant status of ‘Blue Alert’ that I immerse myself in does actually tune into other species also.

Grounding myself into a space is an important part of my photographic practice and just this week I have startled a fox, a wonderfully glowing red fox in the peak of health just by the water’s edge in the hope of stealing some fowl or other morsel. Nothing at all like the mangy Foxes we see in urban environments. Also, a Chinese Water Deer, such an easily spooked beast that appears as a fawn spectre then melts away again into the flooded woodlands.

Raptors too, big enough to carry a Hobbit or two silently descending amongst seemingly dense branches to drop onto some poor unexpecting prey on the woodland floor.

I’m always surprised at the fatness and ostentatiously dressed male Pheasants. Why did they evolve to be so visible in a dull green brown environment?

Herons are another strange beast standing almost as if in a trance. I find it quite amusing to see them stood gazing at anglers on the opposite bank eyeing up their keep nets.

Grebe are just wonderful to look at especially when they have paired up. I love to see them water dance and air kiss each other and when the sun is at the right angle and the sky is azure blue there can be nothing better to look at on the water.