Dive into the world of the kingfisher

Illustration by Ram Papish

Join award-winning author Marina Richie for a head first dive into the world of North America's jay-sized angler at Newport’s OSU Extension Lincoln County building on Tuesday, May 21.

Richie’s book, “Halcyon Journey, In Search of the Belted Kingfisher,” recently earned the 2024 John Burroughs Award for distinctive natural history writing and features 16 illustrations by Newport artist Ram Papish.

The photo-filled presentation will explore why the female is more colorful than the male and other secrets of a skittish-yet-familiar bird. Throughout, Richie will read brief excerpts from “Halcyon Journey,” a first-person narrative threading natural history, memoir and myth. She will sign and sell books after the event.

Richie is a nature writer living in Bend, with an affinity for the coast, where she attended the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. She has authored two children’s books, “Bird Feats of Montana” and “Bug Feats of Montana.” Her articles, essays and poetry appear in literary and popular magazines, blogs, newspapers and in three book collections. Her education includes an MA in journalism from the University of Montana and a BA in biology from the University of Oregon.

The presentation begins at 6:30 pm at the OSU Extension Lincoln County building, 1211 SE Bay Blvd. in Newport. For more information, go to lincolncityaudubon.org.