22-10-25 More disgruntlement, or maybe just another crack of the disappointment whip and largely the same no-shows, while Mary and I walked down the Water of Leith talking about upcoming holidays and going off to a place in the sun full of butterflies and lunchtime beers. Although the weather was good for once. And the reflections of blue sky and buildings in the WoL were exquisite. Would have made a perfect backdrop for the absent and rather selfish kingfisher. Which today will be known as the f'kingfisher. Do I even need to say he didn't turn up?

We got off the tram at Murrayfield and walked to Roseburn to join the WoL. On the corner where Roseburn Place meets Roseburn Crescent there is a large holly tree full of birds: finches, starlings, sparrows, pigeons and collared doves. For ages I didn't see the bird feeders piled high in the centre of the tree. There is always squawking aplenty. Today a gang of starlings all singing and regarding us with beady eyes. Difficult to get decent photos; the dark plumage against the dark leaves. But fun and games.
goldfinch

As I said above, the water was looking fabulous and it was hard not to enjoy the riverside wander even in the absence of target species. At least the dipper near the large bridge, Coltbridge Viaduct, is a regular and can be relied upon to pose and feed in the shallows there. I shot video as it often comes out better than stills in such high contrast light.
dippers
wildlife wanderers
Our path crossed with Sachi, a friend whom I'd met in Warriston recently. She is superkeen at wildlife spotting up and down the WoL, capturing kingfishers, foxes, otters and recording all the flowers along the way with a Sony bridge camera (same one Alan uses) for lightness. Hugh also turned up. Word was the kingfisher tends to appear around 1.30pm near the gallery bridge. However Mary and I were out for a walk and not for hanging about at the mercy of a naughty wee f'kingfisher who might never show. We said our goodbyes and headed downstream.
grey wagtail near Dean Village

The camera didn't come out again till Warriston. Mary had already bailed and headed home leaving me to do a round of the cemetery to quench my photo addiction. I'm not sure it entirely worked and I was reduced to chatting to the squirrels and crows yet again. This one in the riverside area was watching what I was up to but quite wary. I put some nuts and seeds on a flat stone while he watched and then I retreated. It took a while but he eventually investigated. As the Winter bites harder they become less wary and more grateful for handouts.
place was full of harlequins on all size of gravestone...
small
curlew in the Goldenacre playing fields next door
Right I'm off home for some late lunch soup and toast. Mary has been making some excellent soups lately and you don't need much in a plate to dip your bread or toast in. Makes Winter all a bit more bearable.

Looked over the Warriston overpass/tunnel on way home
to get a wave from this chap, perhaps the one I fed earlier
7.5miles in 4hrs39

























































