A Morning With The Family
The evening before today, I was having a moment with myself, feeling that I hadn’t been able to get out and enjoy nature as much as I would have liked. There was almost a fear of how much I had missed while watching the transition from spring into summer. The parents dashing through the woodlands to forage for as much as they can find, flying through the air catching every bug they can carry, or catching as many fish as possible for their new young mouths to feed.
So I sat and looked at the rather dull looking forecast ahead and noticed the next morning had a brief opening of light and a short drop in the wind. That was my plan sealed. Even though it was already 11:00pm, I begrudgingly set my alarm for 03:00am, hoping I would be able to drag myself out of bed after so little sleep and a 10-hour shift. Bag packed and flask placed next to the kettle, off to bed I went.
Alas, my alarm went off and woke me up without a hitch. Bag checked over while I waited for the kettle to boil for my coffee before setting off. This was when I decided on the time-saving idea of getting into my ghillie suit at home to save me faffing about once I arrived.
I mean, it was a genius idea if I do say so myself. At 04:00am I shouldn’t be seeing anyone I might surprise. I just had to hope the police weren’t doing spot checks on their usual stretch, as me dressed as a bush might come with some explaining to do. It would give them a good laugh at least if they did.
But I digress.
Before sunrise, I set off for the River Almond.
The drive was spectacular. For those who don’t know, the 30–45 minutes before sunrise can produce some incredible colours, and this morning was certainly one of them. I’ve always felt I’ve started the day right when I’ve been able to enjoy those deep purples, oranges and reds first thing in the morning.
Once at the parking spot, it’s just a short walk to the mouth of the river. I’ve been coming here since childhood and still find it one of the most magical locations within the city boundaries. During my walk in, I took a quick phone shot of the pre-sunrise colours as they just kept becoming more incredible the closer I got to my spot.
Taken with my phone walking down towards the river's edge.
I say the mouth of the river as though I simply walk to the opening and sit on the rocks. In reality, it’s a little further along a dirt path winding through the trees and bushes on the river’s edge. Even from the path, you can hide behind the foliage and spot wildlife if you are careful and quiet enough.
I have found, however, that getting lower down off the path and sitting amongst the bushes beneath it brings better results when I’m wearing the ghillie suit. This does mean clambering down a muddy ten-foot drop to the pebbles below. I always take a good look around first so I don’t accidentally spook any wildlife in the area, as I don’t want them seeing the ghillie suit as a threat. Luckily, some of the erosion along the bank has created easier routes down than others, but none of them could be described as graceful.
Once down, with the tripod set up and my coffee opened, it’s time to wait for some light and simply enjoy nature doing its thing around you, hoping it isn’t too concerned about the new bush sitting on the rocks.
My plan was to hopefully get some beaver shots before they headed off to bed for the day.
However, the river was quiet. Apart from the odd birdsong and the sound of moving water, there wasn't much happening.
Then...
Within a few minutes, I had a male Kingfisher land right in front of me and start calling. If you’ve ever wondered what a Kingfisher sounds like, think of a dog whistle and you’re most of the way there. This was followed by several dives even closer to me before he landed on a branch near my right shoulder.
At this point, he was so close that I couldn’t risk moving. If I spooked him, that could have been my morning with Kingfishers over before it had really begun. After a few minutes, he moved a little further away and I was able to take a few careful shots before he headed upstream.
What a fantastic close encounter to start the day, I thought.
Then it happened.
The female arrived and landed on one of the logs in the river in front of me, calling while looking upstream. Here was me thinking she was calling the male and that they were beginning to court again.
I assumed they were beginning to raise a second brood.
However, what I was actually treated to was a magnificent experience.
Three young Kingfishers came down the river in an almost playful manner, chasing one another and testing out every perch they could find as if to find the perfect spot to try fishing for themselves.
Over the next two hours, I got to witness some of the best moments I have ever had with Kingfishers. The young birds were still exploring their new world and may only have been a day or two out of the nest.
One was certainly braver than the other two. It was trying out more locations and occasionally landing on branches that looked too small even for a Kingfisher, something it learned about quite quickly.
I had them landing on rocks and branches within a couple of metres of me, completely unaware of my presence. They flew around chasing one another, darting past me so closely that I could feel the air from their wings. It was an incredible experience.
My favourite moment by far was when one came so close that it nearly landed on my lens. I suppose I now need another camera to watch my camera.
After a couple of hours, the clouds rolled in for the damp day ahead. My morning of Kingfishers flying and hovering around me like some Disney princess had to come to an end.
Fortunately, the Kingfishers all continued further down towards the River Tay, giving me the opportunity to make my escape unnoticed. The last thing I wanted was for the young birds to associate the ghillie suit with human movement.
It was only a short period of time, but an experience I will never forget.
Mornings like this remind me that I don’t always have to venture across the country for something special. Sometimes the furthest I need to go is down to the river’s edge, sit quietly, and let nature decide what sort of morning it's going to be.
Some footage I managed to capture during this amazing morning.
