![Featured image for “Halcyon Gathering Celebrates Kingfishers”](https://familyforests.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marina_Richie_Kingfisher_Presentation-640x480-1.jpg)
What do belted kingfishers–denizens of watery, fish-filled places–have to do with well-cared-for family forests in Vermont? A whole lot, as it turns out. In late October, Vermont Family Forests hosted a gathering at Wells Farm in Lincoln to explore these connections with visiting author Marina Richie. Winner of a 2022 National Outdoor Book Award, Marina’s book, Halcyon Journey: In Search of the Belted Kingfisher, takes a deep dive into the world of these remarkable birds and the clean waters they depend on.
More than 40 people gathered at Wells Farm to learn about kingfishers and about Marina’s adventures in studying them. Photographer Jonathan Blake captured the delight of the gathering in his beautiful photographs–enjoy!
![People walking up to a barn in a fall setting](/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wells_Farm_Kingfisher_Gathering-640x480-1.jpg)
![VFF Executive Director David Brynn welcomes visitors to the kingfisher gathering.](/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/David_Brynn_Welcomes_Visitors_Kingfisher-640x480-1.jpg)
![Author Marina Richie shares insights, images, and excerpts from her book](/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Marina_Richie_Kingfisher_Presentation-640x480-1.jpg)
![People listening to a presenter in a restored barn.](/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Middle_Barn_Kingfisher_Presentation-640x480-1.jpg)
![Marina Richie talks with participants outside the newly restored Wells Farm West Barn.](https://familyforests.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Conversations_Kingfisher_Gathering-640x480-1.jpg)
![Durga, our earth oven, fires up another pizza.](/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Durga_Pizza_Kingfisher_Presentation-640x480-1.jpg)
![People at a serving table to get a slice of pizza](/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pizza_Kingfisher_Presentation-640x480-1.jpg)
![Evening light on a small outbuilding and tree leaves](/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Evening_Light_Kingfisher-640x480-1.jpg)