© Jürgen Sauer

"A rare black stork (Ciconia nigra) lands amidst the ripples and wades about on its gangly legs, avoiding sprites and catching fish. Back in Romania I had picked up some fishing line and hooks with the same idea in mind. Now, hoping to land some free protein and maybe even some praise, I fashion a pole from a stick, dig up an earthworm, and give it a try, but the stork has better luck than me."

— page 228, Into the Carpathians, Part 1
© Alan E. Sparks