I have commented earlier on the Rule of Three in the bird life of Kashmir. True to the rule, three species of kingfishers are commonly observed in Kashmir – the pied, common and white-throated kingfishers.

One of life's little joys is sitting on the banks of the Jehlum and watching a family of Pied kingfishers fly past in perfect formation – think of a fly-by of minutiarised Sukhoi fighter-jets on parade.

The White-throated kingfisher lends a dash of colour to the bleak winterscape, while the Common kingfisher is, well, common.