Immediately, I turn to birding. Just near, father Common Kingfisher is teaching his young to live for itself. He refuses to hand it fish, he just caught, peck at the juvenile gently, flies away, followed by its begging young. In their attics, both fly at me, turning just a meter in front. The woods west from the Hong Wu Tomb towards the Pagodas look very similar to trampled-out suburban forests in Europe.
Owls start calling near the road.
I go under the tree, and, miraculously, one flies at the open branch and allows itself to be seen by several tens of seconds. Next day, I chance at the bird market in Fuzimiao shopping district. These appalling sights are common in China. Later, I go to Chaotian Palace. Miraculously, a Dollarbird appears, perches on the top of the golden roof, and starts to hunt insects, flashing its blue wing patches.