The Wild Bank
From its source high in the Wicklow mountains, the river Dodder meanders through the city to Dublin Bay then on to the Irish Sea. Stop awhile on the urban bank at Rathfarnham and just by gazing across the water to the other side you are transported to another world where nature coexists in perfect harmony, on the wild bank.
Pilgrims gather here, enticed by the majesty of this river’s most alluring resident - the elusive kingfisher. For lovers of nature, there are few experiences that can match the thrill of witnessing this majestic little bird, whose brilliant iridescent colours seem so out of place in the heart of this bustling metropolis.
I set up this twig in a precise location to achieve a painterly effect then I settled in for what I knew would be a long wait.
Months passed. I often questioned my sanity as I sat alone in my hide with nothing to show for all my efforts. Finally, one crisp morning in mid October my persistence was rewarded and he graced me with his presence.
The audience was brief, about 90 seconds but that was long enough.
