We set off upstream. Even as we pass a crowd of ruddy shelducks and grey herons taking in the cool breeze and sunshine, we’re aiming for the little island up ahead, which is really the hotspot for fauna, a sort of afternoon hangout where the river residents create quite an orchestra, and pause once in a while for a quick drink of water. Sure enough, they’re all there this afternoon. We park ourselves in the middle of the river and become silent spectators to this jamboree. True to their name, numerous red-beaked skimmers, with their shiny white-and-black-tipped feathers skim the surface of the water, and settle on the island for a break. They stare at us awhile, comfortable at a distance of about 10 feet, but when we try and move in for close-up shots, they flutter about, skim the water again, form intricate geometric patterns in the air, and fly away. Far above them, a group of flamingos puts up an even better show of symmetry. Oblivious to all the activity around them, a couple of muggurs bask in the sunshine just where the skimmers were a moment ago, and after a little while, slide their ungainly bodies into the water ever so slightly to cool off. A beautiful white spoonbill hops around, joined by a number of other birds, like the painted stork, the lapwing and the curvaceous grey heron, the blue waters sparkling, the ravines rising behind.