Female Kingfisher

As it was a bank holiday we decided we wouldn't stray far.  Clickychick spent the morning catching up on some admin, I had a walk up the lane onto Cannock Chase.  Sunny weather again if a bit breezy and coolish.

There were a few essentials we needed so in the afternoon we nipped down the road to the local garage which has a shop that in CC's words "sells everything".  On the way back we were again passing the WoleslyBridge reserve, so inevitably the car park leaped out and caught us.  Having stopped we obviously had to make our way directly to the Kingfisher viewing point.

Both birds clearly knew that on busy days they had to make sure they posed well for people.  It was not often one or other wasn't in view on a perch.  we were only there a little over an hour and I took 284 shots.  Deciding which to use has been difficult.  Finally, I have decided on two of the female.  Female Kingfishers are easy to identify if you get a good look at them.  The female "wears lipstick" i.e. unlike the male the lower mandible is orange, the male is black.