Seeing a kingfisher always brings a smile to my face. Most of the time you only catch a brief glimpse of it—a bright blue flash skimming low over the water. If you know how to recognize its high-pitched call, you can sometimes hear it approaching before it even comes into view. Although I have photographed kingfishers many times before, it never gets old capturing this remarkable bird. Its almost un-Dutch, vividly colored plumage makes every encounter feel special.
Even though kingfishers have become more common in recent years due to milder winters, they remain highly dependent on a watery, fish-rich habitat. A single harsh winter can be enough to cause the population to decline dramatically again.
