Captured beside the River Tern on a warm afternoon in May 2025, Fairy King portrays one of Britain’s most captivating birds in a moment of quiet vigilance. Resting upon a moss-covered branch, this beautiful female kingfisher remained perfectly poised, watching the faintest movement upon the water while never losing sight of the woodland canopy above. Every glance reflected the remarkable awareness that makes these birds such accomplished hunters.
Although this is a female kingfisher, my encounter with her brought back a story told to me many decades ago as a child, that kingfishers were the chosen birds entrusted with carrying the fairy royal family across woodland rivers. Their radiant plumage, it was said, reflected the splendour and importance of the Fairy King, the brilliant blues and glowing russets shimmering like precious jewels as they passed through shafts of sunlight.
As the warm afternoon light illuminated her teal crown and rich orange breast, it became wonderfully easy to understand how such tales were born. For a few precious moments she seemed less like a bird and more like a character from an old woodland legend, quietly guarding the river’s edge before vanishing as silently as she had arrived.
Fairy King celebrates that delicate place where nature and folklore meet, a reminder that the most magical stories often begin with simply sitting still, watching carefully, and allowing the wild to reveal itself.
Printed on professional Hahnemühle William Turner 310 gsm fine art cotton textured paper.
Mounted using Larson-Juhl 1400 micron picture mounts in Minuet. Ready to frame.
Mount dimensions 20″ x 16″ (external size 508mm x 406mm). Supplied mounted with additional under-mount, and posted protectively wrapped in flat packaging.
£128.00
Every Jo Lee Photography print is presented with the same care and attention devoted to capturing the moment itself. Each artwork is professionally mounted to preserve the beauty and integrity of the print, protecting it during handling while ensuring it arrives at your home in immaculate condition, ready to frame and enjoy.
The choice of frame is a deeply personal one. With an endless variety of styles, finishes and materials available, I hope you enjoy selecting a frame that complements both your home and the story held within the image. For my own collections and exhibitions, I favour the quiet elegance of natural wood, whose warmth and timeless character beautifully reflect the landscapes and wildlife that inspire my work.
Every print is professionally mounted using premium Larson-Juhl 1400 μm conservation-quality mount board in a delicate natural cream (Minuet). Its subtle, understated tone creates a refined border around the artwork, allowing the colours, textures and light within the photograph to take centre stage.
Each limited edition print, produced in an edition of just 25, is individually accompanied by a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity, affirming its place within the edition and its provenance. Before leaving my North Wales studio, every piece is carefully inspected, wrapped and flat packaged with exceptional care, ensuring it reaches you exactly as it left my hands—ready to become a lasting part of your home.