Stalking the Kingfisher at Cranford Park

I've been to the park a couple of times over the last few weeks, but without my camera. Today the camera and I spent a very satisfying visit. 

The resident Kingfisher was on my hit list today. I've been seeing her more and more recently, always favouring the same stretch of the River Crane. She is always reliable in December, I'm not sure why she's more often seen during that month, but I'm not complaining. 

Last December I was interviewed by Alistair from the Hounslow Arts Council, and it was primarily about the Kingfishers on the River Crane. The interview became part of an online exhibition called 'Animal Stories' and Cranford Park has it's own chapter in an accompanying book as well. 

The link to the online exhibition is below...

https://hounslowvisualarts.org.uk/exhibitions/animal-stories/

This wonderful picture is the cover for the Cranford Park chapter, and clearly shows the grid by the M4 viaduct that the Kingfisher regularly perches on.....

She is a little camera shy though, and if she sees you she soon flies off. There were a lot of joggers and walkers up and down the river this afternoon as well, so she was very flighty the whole time I was there, which made trying to get any photos very challenging …. 

For such a colourful bird, I often couldn't spot her in any foliage, and only saw her as she dived into the river for a fish. She'd then fly upstream or downstream looking for a nice perch to eat her meal. By the time I'd caught up with her, quietly and stealthily, she had finished her fish and was busy looking for another. This happened several times and I still didn't get a photo of her with her catch. 

When she was out of sight I kept myself entertained watching a charm of Goldfinches picking at seeds ….. 

and watching a Robin singing from the fence … 

In the little copse in the Memorial Garden by the river, I found an old log that was covered in the wonderfully named Jelly Ear fungus … 

One of my favourite views at the park is this one below. It's from the Iron Bridge that connects Cranford Park and Avenue Park, looking up the river to the old Stone Bridge …. 

I've always loved the view especially as it changes every season. 

A really delightful visit, and it was good to see my fellow park admirer, Angie, for a long overdue gossip. Thank you Angie and thank you Mrs Kingfisher.