Kingfishers highlighted in Nov issue of National Geographic

Kingfishers -- those aquatic birds that favor rivers, streams and ponds -- get the royal treatment in the November issue of National Geographic Society's magazine. The great folks at the society ensured that birders gets to savor the birds in detail via the article by Hannah Holmes and the photo gallery of dazzling six images by Charlie Hamilton James.

You'll relish the incredible images, some shot underwater and others revealing details of the bird's life that most birders never will see. I especially like the gallery's second shot, where the kingfisher appears as a blue streak. The caption says the birds can dive faster than 25 miles per hour. Very cool.