I’ve just completed a 21.5km out and back walk from home to Morden Hall Park. The ‘purpose’ of the walk - other than to spend time in nature, was to gather materials for a one-off artists book I’m making, using found materials to describe the route from Oaks Park to Morden Hall via The River Wandle.

My time on the trail was a mix of birdsong, butterflies, damselflies, dragonflies, unexpectedly huge fish, a friendly chat with an angler, and more. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve tracked this section of the river from Hackbridge to Morden, but it never gets dull.

I began to tire on the way home - I’d taken a few short curiosity fuelled diversions along the way, extending the walk further than originally intended. Approaching Carshalton I ignored my tired aching muscles, and took a final diversion onto Wilderness Island. Wilderness Island is a small nature reserve surrounded by water. I’d already been there once today - and recorded a zero sightings butterfly count. My main motivation in returning was to see if anything could be found fluttering in the mid afternoon sun. For the record, I saw Large Whites, Small Whites, and Speckled Woods in a clearing.

The island is split into a raised wooded area, and a lower, wetland section. As I walked around the woods, it dawned on me that I always walk the wetland section counter-clockwise. I chose to break this little habit, and wandered on. Over the years I’ve grown pretty good at walking quietly through nature, I often surprise birds who don’t hear me coming until we’re just feet apart.

I turn a corner and my eyesight is immediately illuminated by an unmistakeable iridescent blue. The kingfisher - a notoriously skittish bird - has not noticed me. I unfold my arms and camera, fully expecting the bird to take flight, but it doesn’t.

Our encounter lasts several minutes. The bird scanning the river, me silently in awe. I’ve seen kingfishers here before now - three in one visit - but never this close, and never for this long. Eventually I let my guard down, moving slightly to my right, the bird catches sight of me, and is gone in an instant.

As I wander on - it strikes me that had I walked around the island counter-clockwise, the way I’ve always done before, I would have come across the bird totally differently. The angle of approach, the distance from which I’d have been seen - everything would have exposed me to the bird much more readily. I can’t prove this, but I am completely certain that my decision to break my counter-clockwise habit was pivotal in bringing me to this very special occasion. It’s no coincidence that the front and back covers of the book I am making are illuminated in a kingfisher blue, reflecting this beautiful bird, but I honestly never expected to be able to include such a vivid real life encounter, into this artistic tale.

For me - this is a simple, powerful reminder that habits often form quite unknowingly, and that breaking them from time to time, can deliver spectacular results.

Which Way Should We Go?