Although I was excited to discover a male Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) in an industrial setting, later that day I returned to my first love, a female kingfisher in a more natural environment.
Previously I posted photos of the male kingfisher and female kingfisher as I continue in my quest to get some really good photos of these amazing birds. If you compare the male and the female, you can see that the chestnut stripe really makes the female stand out (and the Belted Kingfisher is one of the few birds in which the female is more colorful than the male).
I continue to get interesting photos (and I am posting some new ones here), but I still am trying to get some better ones (these are grainy and a bit soft). By the way, can anyone figure out what she has in her bill in the last photo?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
At first I thought she had plucked a flower, but I think it’s a leaf. Nesting material?
You may be right. She flew off with it still in her bill a bit later.
Sometimes birds drop objects in the water to attract fish to the surface. Your female here is in intensive search mode, judging from the position of her head (pointed downward). Nice photos, Mike.
Great shots Mike!
Thanks, Mark. I am glad that you enjoyed them. The Kingfishers (I know of two of them) have become one of my favorite subjects, though they are certainly a real challenge.