It’s not often that you see a kingfisher looking up. Not so much beak up (chin up didn’t work) as eyes down, eagerly watching for the next meal to swim past. But a squirrel had just clambered onto the branches above and this young female was checking her safety.
River Ver, St Albans, January 2021
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Copyright Debbie Smyth, 10 January 2021
Posted as part of Becky’s January SquareUp
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Travel with Intent 
Such a beautiful bird. Lucky you to have captured this.
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She makes regular appearances but I rarely carry my long lens on my walks here.
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Beautiful shot! They are so pretty and not easy to catch.
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Stunning Debbie – they are such beautiful birds
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Beautiful capture, Debbie!
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Marvellous capture of such a beautiful bird!
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A tip for anyone trying to see a Kingfisher. Find an audio clip of the species and learn the species call (or calls). I usually hear them and know to look out for one.
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Thanks David. I’ll get listening. I marvel at their ability to be camouflaged and usually spot them when they fly and their blue backs glisten (assuming there is a hint of sun!)
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A blue streak accounts for a lot of sightings of the Common Kingfisher. The Belted Kingfisher in North America males itself known by complaining loudly about almost everything.
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What a fabulous photo Debbie 🙂 the colours are so vibrant
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Fabulous colours! Such a lovely bird!
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What a beautiful bird! I spend a lot of time getting no where trying to get a decent photo of any bird! I always thought kingfishers were white and much bigger!
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I’m no expert either. Though I’ve spent more time trying since lockdown. These birds are frustratingly small and fast. And sensibly they are always on the opposite side of the river. Even with a long lens this is a tight crop.
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What a lovely colour.
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That’s a fabulous piece of photo-editing Debbie. You’ve almost got me believing kingfishers exist!
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Ha ha! They will come into your life one day
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Nah.
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You are impossible, Margaret!
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No. That’s kingfishers.
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Nah
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hee hee was scrolling down to see what you would say!!! Just wait one of these days . . . . . . and unicorns exist too 😉
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Oh, quite likely. Just … not kingfishers.
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😅
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Isn’t she gorgeous? That’s a fabulous shot, Debs 🙂 🙂
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A real beauty. There are 3 of them along this stretch of river so they make regular appearances.
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