There are easier ways to start a morning than setting a 4:30am alarm.
But for Water of Leith photographer Tom Kelly, an early start can sometimes lead to something very special.
By 5:40am, Tom was already standing in the river in his waders as the sun began to rise. The early morning light was spectacular, painting the sky and making the struggle to get out of bed seem very worthwhile.
Then, while changing the SD cards in a couple of his cameras, Tom spotted a dipper upstream.
Rather than rushing after it, he quietly made his way to a rock beside the riverbank and settled down out of sight, hoping the small river bird might eventually come a little closer.
It didn’t.
But patience on the river often pays off in unexpected ways.
After four or five quiet minutes, Tom heard something he wasn’t expecting: an otter cub calling.
He turned around to discover a mother and her cub making their way upstream — and they were only around 20 feet behind him.
As the otters dived underwater, Tom slowly raised his camera, carefully hiding his face and then becoming as still as possible. The little cub swam around him before rejoining its mum, and the pair continued feeding as they gradually made their way upstream.
Within just a few minutes, the encounter was over.
It was only then that Tom realised it had started to rain.
And this wasn’t a gentle shower. It was torrential.
Forty-five minutes later, Tom arrived home completely soaked. But after an encounter like that, he certainly wasn’t complaining.
Wildlife photography takes patience
The Water of Leith is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, but seeing an otter is never guaranteed. They are elusive, fast-moving and remarkably well adapted to life along the river. Moments like Tom’s encounter are therefore all the more special.
His photographs offer us a glimpse into a world that is happening quietly alongside the Walkway every day — often before most of us have even woken up.
Photographs like these can make wildlife encounters look effortless. In reality, they are often the result of early mornings, long periods of waiting, knowing the river and its wildlife, and being prepared for whatever the weather throws at you.
And sometimes, of course, a healthy dose of luck.
So next time you’re out walking beside the Water of Leith, keep your eyes open, slow down and listen. You never know what might be just around the next bend.
And if you’re wondering whether getting up at 4:30am is worth it?
Just take a look at Tom’s photographs.
With thanks to Tom Kelly, Water of Leith Photographer, for sharing his story and photographs with us.