Kingfisher

Another day of clear blue sky and warm weather.  For the end of September the weather really is exceptional.

We continued our way along the Trent and Mersey Canal heading for the Anderton Boat lift and River Weaver.   Being autumn and not yet Half Term the canals were lovely and quiet.  We met very few other boats.  This has the advantage that the wildlife hasn't been disturbed when we approach it.

Kingfishers always provide excitement, we do have them up in the Lakes but we don't see a lot of them.  Generally the first thing we see from the boat is a blue flash zooming away close to the water surface.  This creates wild activity the helmsman immediately goes into "tick over" the others grab cameras and rush to the front of the boat while the helmsman tries to spot where it lands.

Usually they make their way through the bush and disappear.  Sometimes however they stay perched and take flight again when you get too near.   This is a crop from the one tome this trip when a Kingfisher obliged.