It was the day before the equinox. It was still officially winter then, but try telling that to the singing thrushes and great tits and to the celandines on the riverbank. For my money spring lasts from one solstice to the next: when every day is longer and lighter than the one before, it’s spring.
My kayak was moving very sweetly beneath me, the wind gentle, the current gentler. I had already seen two kingfishers: the classic view: a dart fizzing very close to the water, just a hint of blue to tell you that you’ve been subtly privileged.
I paddled on. You get used to looking: to picking up subtle clues, often in peripheral vision, and turning you head to check them out. A glint – less, half a glint of iridescence, visible for half a second in a sallow bush that hung out over the water.
And I was looking at a kingfisher, wholly still, his eyes on the water, quite unware of me or at least quite unconcerned. I could see his shining blue back. I stopped paddling and drifted, such current as there was taking me on a curving line toward the sallow.
The salmon-pink front was now as vivid as the blue back, the bird intent on his work. I was within six feet and beginning to move past, unwilling to disturb the moment by making any correction, and so the kayak was sideways on and still turning, the stern taking the lead. You can’t do that on a busy Sunday in high summer.
It was only after I was well past that the kingfisher decided it was time to move, flashing past me once again as a kind of encore.
It was a lovely day and I paddled on, reluctant to turn, but eventually I decided that I wasn’t going to go all the way to Great Yarmouth and headed home. I saw two more kingfishers on the way back. That’s five, I think a record, and one of them might have been perched on my paddle.
As a welcome to spring, perhaps unimprovable.
Improved for us by your lovely book on the subject Simon!
First thing I’m going to do when I retire is get a canoe so I can paddle up the kennet & Avon looking for kingfishers!
Once again , A very interesting tale, I really like the idea of floating along with Mother Nature. I am also enjoying “Sprng Is The Only Season ” Keep them coming, many regards, Anthony Bird