Birdland
Punk Rock Solitude
Belted Kingfishers spend much of their time alone, perched on high branches or along streams and lakes, looking for small fish to dive after. They also fly up and down shorelines, screaming a loud, rattling call. As the Cornell Lab of Ornithology notes, Belted Kingfishers are stocky, large-headed birds with shaggy crests on the top and back of their heads, and straight, thick, pointed bills. When not in silhouette, they are powder blue above, with fine, white spotting on their wings and tail. This kingfisher was photographed at Bluff Lake Nature Preserve by Park Hill resident Mark Silverstein.