Annemarie:
Catching a glimpse of a single kingfisher in the UK is quite an achievement but here on the Mulembo River they seem to just appear all the time. In true kingfisher fashion they do still tease though, one glimpse then as you focus your camera, whoosh, they swoop away to another branch along the river 50m away. We’re paddling down the river in this glorious little national park which is chiefly known for its ‘Kansaka bats’ but for me has delivered a dozen wallowing hippos, a quick flash of a crocodile and four different diving kingfishers, and then the dragonflies, every colour of the rainbow, iridescent green to electric blue and even startling red. Of course it reminds me of GM Hopkins’ poem:
As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame; As tumbled over rim in roundy wells Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell's Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name; Each mortal thing does one thing and the same: Deals out that being indoors each one dwells; Selves — goes itself; myself it speaks and spells, Crying What I do is me: for that I came. …
A charity, the Kasanka Trust runs the park in partnership with the local community and it’s apparent in the huge respect the local rangers, scouts and camp staff show for the place, obviously a brilliant model and apparently a first for Zambia. The photos will tell the story better than words so take a look at this collection, mainly Martin’s, I am still working on my focusing technique!