Belted Kingfisher

FORT WORDEN State Park is one of the jewels of Port Townsend, Washington, where I live. There are multiple bird habitats—forested hills, grassy fields, a large lagoon and wetland, and a beach. The beach wraps around Point Wilson, a promontory that narrows the channel between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. Point Wilson and its historic lighthouse mark the entrance to Admiralty Inlet, where strong tidal energy produces a turbulent mixing of nutrients. This mixing encourages plankton growth, which feeds fish and, in turn, many birds and other animals, including us. At one end of the park’s beach, a pier juts into the water and supports a building where the Port Townsend Marine Science Center houses a small aquarium. That pier is one of my regular stops. There, I photographed the American Crow that I wrote about recently. I’ve photographed mergansers, eagles, pigeons (which despite their poor reputation can be remarkably beautiful), and pigeon guillemots from the colony below the pier. I once remarked to the center’s director about the guillemots residing in the aquarium’s home and she said that, to the contrary, the aquarium resides in the guillemots’ home.

BELTED KINGFISHERS are also regulars at the pier. These kingfishers live along lakes and streams and beaches throughout the U.S. In fact, I remember them from the midwestern creeks where I swam as a boy. I often hear them first—a loud, harsh trill as they dart down the coast. Like their name suggests, they fish for their food and to watch them dive and capture their prey, though not a rare sight, is always delightful. They often settle on a branch or other structure to swallow their catch. A boat mast will do. A pier is perfect. Their feathered crest is a marvel to me and females like this one have a beautiful chestnut band across their breasts. For over an hour I watched her dash here and there across the pier. Finally, she got used to my presence and settled down on a post, where I took her portrait.

Nikon D500, 420mm, 1/800 sec @ f6.3, ISO 110

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