The tranquility of the evening.

Oddly the boat on the right was called tranquility!!

The colours of dusk

A glorious sunset after leaving Warwick

The first black swan I have seen

Part 11 - Nature on the Cut

One of the sights Marian was most looking forward to seeing in the avian world was the Kingfisher; So was I to be honest. I'd only ever seen one in my life and that was at a distance whilst sailing along the river from the Cumberland basin in Bristol on the way to Hanham.

Our first few weeks went without a sighting but Marian got more enthusiastic about the possibility of spying the speedy little fisherman after a chat with some boaters at Foxton. They said that there were many to be sighted on the Market Harborough arm. Our first sighting proved to be on that arm. Sailing to the delightful town we saw a blue flash thirty yards away leaving us feeling eager for a closer view, but sharing some disappointment at the stern of our boat because IT wasn't closer.

A few minutes later we saw it flying back towards us and perch on a wooden construction on the bank. As we neared it, we expected it to take flight but it remained unintimidated and perched looking directly at us. Head height and six feet from the boat we passed it and just stood in awe observing the beautiful iridescent hue of its plumage. A magical moment.

We've seen a few since then, one landing opposite us on a blackberry tendril at Marsworth. I didn't see the tendril move as it perched which leads me to wonder as to how much they weigh.. I can't count the amount of times since Marian has said "did you see that kingfisher?" Of course I haven't, I always seem to be looking at something else.

Sailing along the river at Leicester towards Castle Gardens and the city moorings are always dozens of swans. For some reason they have a habit of spreading their wings and flying a few hundred yards slapping their feet on the surface of the water. Not just in Leicester, I hasten to add. Three were doing this and approaching my bow when they must have realised they were too close. Lifting off in unison they flew over me no more than eight feet above my head. The sound of their wings and the downdraft from their flight was exhilarating. Natures own Red Arrows I thought.

I've seen large rats under bridges, a squirrel swimming in a lock and squirrels running over locks, a swan in its own nest, dragonflies with their colourful diaphanous wings. A field of buffalo, Llamas, buzzards, Red Kites over the Aylesbury arm, two muntjac deer a few miles from Minworth locks.

We saw a male and female Bullfinch for the first time. We now know that mallard ducks have a summer and winter plumage. A black swan was spotted near Burton, the first I've seen in my life. So much to see on the canals, a truly vibrant natural habitat.