If fate is kind to you, you will see a Kingfisher
With a bit of patience, you can spot Kingfishers at the natural park De Ruige Hof. One of my wishes is to see a Kingfisher in real life. However, like the hummingbird, you can only see a Kingfisher if luck is on your side. Despite its small size, a Kingfisher can fly very fast, reaching speeds of up to 80 km per hour. For this reason, it is also known as the “blue flash” or “blue bolt”.
Spotting a Kingfisher
While I’m out for walks in the woods or wetlands, I always keep an eye out for the Kingfisher – the bird of birds! This flying gem has gorgeous cobalt blue wings with light blue flecks that sparkle like diamonds against its orange lower body. The neck to tail is adorned with a bright blue track that’s almost fluorescent azure blue and can’t be replicated by paint, ink, or oil paint when the sun shines on it. It’s a stunning bird that needs to be seen in person to be fully appreciated.
Fortunately, I have a sister who is a professional photographer at Kleurrijk Fotografeert. She specializes in portrait, maternity, newborn, baby, and family photography. Moreover, she has a keen interest in capturing the beauty of nature through her camera lens. Recently, she visited the Kingfisher viewing hut “De Ruige Hof”, which is a hidden gem located near Amsterdam on the premises of the nature conservation association De Ruige Hof.
➔ Photographer Kleurrijk Fotografeert
Natural park De Ruige Hof
Kingfishers have been nesting around the grounds of the Ruige Hof for many years. The owners of the property wanted to provide a safe breeding place for these beautiful birds. To achieve this, they built a breeding wall with a viewing hut next to it a few years ago. The Kingfisher hut is situated in the protected area of the Ruige Hof, which is beautifully located on the water’s edge of a lake. The Kingfisher hut provides a great spot to observe and photograph these birds during their breeding season without causing any disruption. Over the last few years, many young kingfishers have hatched and fledged successfully from the breeding wall. The hut is free to visit on Wednesdays for members of the Ruige Hof, while on other days, it can be rented out to photographers. The funds from the rental of the hut will be used for the maintenance of the breeding wall and will fully benefit the nature association De Ruige Hof.
The population of Kingfishers in the Netherlands
In June the young Kingfishers fledged. The number of Kingfishers in the Netherlands changes every year. After a severe winter, there are always a lot fewer, while the population grows considerably after several frost-free years. The bright blue bird is popular with many nature lovers. If you’ve ever seen one fly by, you’ll never walk past water without looking around for a tiny blue bird perched on a branch.
Pictures of a kingfisher
I am very happy with the beautiful photos that photographer Marijke from Kleurrijk Fotografie has made of the Kingfisher, and she is so nice to share them with us. You would like to see these birds in real life, but to see the Kingfisher in these awesome photos can at least be called second best.
➔ Photographer Kleurrijk Fotografie
The Latin name of the Kingfisher
The kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a bird in the Kingfisher family (Alcedinidae). Alcode Atthis stands for “A new plunge into your life will bring sunshine, love, and prosperity’.
European protection of the Kingfisher
The Kingfisher is a protected endemic species. Like all other birds that occur naturally in the wild in the Netherlands, Kingfishers are protected under the European Birds Directive. The protection of the Kingfisher is regulated in the Netherlands in the Nature Conservation Act.
Where to find Nature park De Ruige Hof
De Ruige Hof includes several gardens, 2 nature reserves, and a nature center, where various activities, including bird walks and plant excursions, are organized. Take a look at the website to see what’s happening.
Address: Abcouderstraatweg 77, 1105 AA Amsterdam
Photography
The pictures of the Kingfisher were taken by photographer Marijke Trienekens. Marijke is a professional photographer, trained at the Fotovakschool, University of Applied Photography, Amsterdam. If you are interested in her beautiful photographic work, check out her website to see more of her work. I am a big fan of her awesome Fine Art Portraits.
➔ Kleurrijk Fotografeert Photographer
➔ Fotovakschool, University of Applied Photography, Amsterdam.
The super-fast, beautiful blue and orange colored kingfisher finds its refuge amid the quiet waterways and lush greenery. Kingfishers nest along tranquil rivers, canals, and lakes. These beautiful, almost elusive birds adorn the Dutch landscape with their dazzling appearance. Kingfishers are the hidden gems of Dutch nature and you are a lucky bird if you manage to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures in their idyllic habitats.
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