Any walk along a wild stream or river in most of North America offers the chance of seeing a Belted Kingfisher. Their presence is most often revealed by their unique chattering call, butbobservers usually get just a quick glimpse as the bird flies rapidly past. On lucky occasions, one may spot a kingfisher before it takes off, or see where it lands. This bird preys on small fish and aquatic invertebrates which it first spots from a perch above the water. This amazing predator plunges headfirst into the stream to snatch is unsuspecting prey in its long sharp bill. Usually it carries its prey to a perch before swallowing it. This painting depicts a kingfisher hunting along the Poudre River just west of Fort Collins in mid-March.

Original: 16 x 20 inch Acrylic on Canvas by Susan E. Quinlan

Available as an archival giclée print; gallery wrap on canvas