When: October 23, 2022 at 3pm
Where: Vermont Family Forests’ Anderson Wells Farm, 2542 Quaker St. Lincoln, Vermont
What: Free presentation and reading, followed by light refreshments
Why: Because Marina Richie’s book is outstanding, belted kingfishers are amazing, and Vermont Family Forests is all about clean water–the premiere forest product–and the wild community of life those waters support.
“Some journeys are meant to be hard. Belted kingfishers are loners, territory, and wary. They are fiendish to study. Yet, a difficult quest promises both allure and reward…”
–Marina Richie, from the Introduction to Halcyon Journey: In Search of the Belted Kingfisher
If you spend time along Vermont’s lakes and waterways, you’ve surely heard the clattering call of the belted kingfisher. And if you’ve heard that wild staccato, you’ve likely glimpsed a telltale flash of white and slate blue as the kingfisher arrowed past or plunged headfirst into the water in pursuit of dinner.
This remarkable bird is the subject of a new book by author Marina Richie. Published by Oregon State University Press, Halcyon Journey: In Search of the Belted Kingfisher threads natural history, myth, and memoir as Marina describes her quest to more deeply know and understand this beautiful, elusive bird.
We’re delighted to announce that Marina will join us on Sunday, October 23, at 3pm to share stories, images, insights, and excerpts from her new book. This free event will be held at Vermont Family Forests’ Anderson Wells Farm at 2542 Quaker Street in Lincoln. Wine, fresh-pressed Wells Farm cider, and appetizers will follow Marina’s presentation. Mark your calendar, and join us!
It would help us greatly in planning if you could take a moment to let us know you’d like to attend on our Eventbrite page.
More than one hundred species of kingfishers grace our planet, and they inhabit every continent but Antarctica. Not all are fishing birds. They range in size from the African dwarf kingfisher to the laughing kookaburra of Australia. While the heart of Marina’s in-depth observations of kingfishers take place on Rattlesnake Creek in Missoula, Montana, her explorations take her to the lower Rio Grande, South Africa, and England in search of kingfisher kin.
For any and all who love birds or simply seek solace in nature, Halcyon Journey is a lyrical window into the marvels and mysteries of the belted kingfisher. Line drawings by Oregon artist Ram Papish illustrate throughout.
Marina uses her skill as author and storyteller not only to showcase the belted kingfishers themselves, but also to illuminate the need to conserve the clean-water habitat they depend on. Clean water is the premiere forest product from healthy forests here in Vermont and beyond, and is at the epicenter of our work at Vermont Family Forests.
“In a world that is rapidly losing its birds, we need reminders of how glorious they really are – their songs, their colors, their eagerness for life. Halcyon Journey is a lively, joyous celebration of kingfishers and rivers, by a writer whose love for birds sings on the page.”
—Kathleen Dean Moore, author of Earth’s Wild Music
