Just because I like it.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago in the mountains several adult Willow Flycatchers were working their little butts off trying to feed youngsters that I usually couldn’t see because they were mostly buried in the bushes. But the adults were buzzing around from perch to perch as they were hunting insects near the ground so I was able to get quite a few photos of them, even though they usually stayed on each perch for only a few seconds.
This is one of my favorite photos of the morning. I like the perky, droopy-wing pose, the unusually clean background that still provides a sense of habitat and the nearly monochrome color palette.
These flycatchers really gave me a workout. Sometimes there were two or three of them to choose from and since they typically stayed on their perches for only a few seconds I often made the wrong choice because they were gone before I could lock focus on them. Shooting from my pickup window limited my range and they often landed where vegetation, mullein in particular, blocked my view of all or part of the bird.
It was frustrating and exhilarating at the same time. And bucketsful of fun.
Ron
Sweet photo, Ron! Always love flycatcher whiskers!
So do I. Thanks, Ellen.
Beautiful pose!
Glad you like it, April.
Fantastic shot Ron, thanks for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
He/she looks tired but determined. And I love that colour palette.
Thanks, EC.
I love these little guys. We have a wetlands/fishing area close to us and I look forward to hearing the first “fitzbew” from them. Great photo!
Connie, it’s a darn good thing for me that Willow Flycatchers have such a distinctive call, otherwise I’d have no chance at all of distinguishing them from other Empids.
This is a real beauty! Would certainly be a favorite of mine also…especially like the color palate!
Thank you, Kathy.
What a delightful image! I like both the wing and tail positions — definitely telling the story of hard work and determination (and a little exhaustion thrown in for good measure). Thank you for always giving LBJs their proper due. 🙂
Marty, LBJ’s deserve more attention than they get. I think any of them can look good given the right setting and they all have interesting behaviors. Hell, I’ve even been photographing a few House Finches this morning, including females.
Oooh, fun! Looking forward to seeing those images! 🙂
I have often thought that Willow Flycatchers are pretty birds in spite of their plain appearance. I believe you shoot mostly from your truck, but are there times that you grab your equipment and head out for a photo?
“are there times that you grab your equipment and head out for a photo?”
Only rarely, Everett. My bad back just isn’t up to the task of walking or even standing for long. This morning I’ve actually been out back photographing birds in my garden but I have to sit in a chair to do it.
I might be posting some of those photos tomorrow.
A bad back can really make outdoor photography difficult – we salute you for your remarkable efforts in spite of that
A challenge met for a VERY good photo of the flycatcher! 🙂 That would tend to drive one nuts trying to capture. 😉
Killdeer are a hoot to watch bathe – squat down in the water almost to their backs and soak a bit before and between bathing antics….🤣
Thanks, Judy. Killdeer were the first wild birds I learned to identify as a young kid growing up on the farm. In the spring they were everywhere near the creek, with some even far away from it.
Beautiful shot of a beautiful little brown bird! I love those flycatchers too!
What an interesting pose. Strikes me as wing muscle fatigue; bedraggled from the constantly hungry chicks.
Little known fact: I told NASA they had to start using UAP because UFO was more appropriate for warblers and flycatchers.
An especially good shot. The white breast looks crisp and clean against the brown. Good catch on this. I love flycatchers, with their perky little ‘up-do’.
Well I like it too!!
Great image!
Good. Thanks, Dick.
Like doves, that soft brown colour is attractive.
I think so too, Pat. Some folks think of flycatchers as just another “little brown job” so they often don’t get the attention they deserve.
And to add to their woes many of the flycatcher species look so much alike they’re very difficult to ID so folks don’t even make the attempt.