Diving Dipper

With high winds and blustery showers I didn't venture out to early this morning but when I did I headed for Kennell vale.

This wooded river valley is well protected from southerly winds and the swelling river levels would make things interesting while trying to capture images of its pair of often illusive resident Dipper.

One dipper was showing when I arrived so a careful slow approach was required as I settled down to record some interesting diving activity in the fast moving river water.

Following a little preening and a wing stretch the Dipper moved down to the waterline and was soon diving and skillfully picking off underwater insects from shallow waterfalls and eddies

The bird moved to a log jamb where the water was moving faster which caused a bow wave every time that the Dipper put its head under.

It also set a bit of a challenge trying to capture the second that the birds head came clear of the water. Just a split second to long and its well oiled head would be dry again

And finally the Dipper swam through a white water rapid to get to one of its favoured resting stones where it stretched its wings to dry off  before calling it a day and flying off up stream.