Small, blue, slow arrow

Today I went hiking with my Shaolin clique, and we marched along the Spessart route in Mernes in cold but sunny weather. As is often the case when you’re out with other people, and especially dogs, the animals usually disappear before you even see them. That was the case here too… or so I thought, until—as so often happens—a kingfisher was sitting quite relaxed by the stream called the Jossa, just before we reached the end of the hike. The dogs saw it at the same time, and so it flew off, but only to circle around and then settle back in its old spot as soon as we had walked a few meters further. I couldn’t get too close, and it scurried somewhat clumsily a little further each time. Was it also so cold that it hardly made any attempt to fly away from me, or was it hunger? At the small bridge, it briefly plunged into the water to grab a bite. Made my day!

…and as always: those who pack away their camera too early at the end of the trip often miss out on the best parts.