Dipper

On the River Eden at Kirkby Stephen - a dipper, one of my favourite birds. This is at the extreme magnification of my camera but it still captures the 'jizz'; white breast, brown above and a black body. Perched on a branch above the river on which it depends for food, dipping its body up and down. It collects is food by walking underwater on the river bed looking for invertebrates. So unpolluted, fast flowing rivers are a must for its success. It's mainly found in the north and west of the UK so it also has impeccable taste.

I watched it for a while as it dipped and swam before flying off upriver in a whir of wings. Great privilege.