Birds and Nature

Like many adult males those of the Vermilion Flycatcher species are brightly colored. This fellow was foraging at Anzalduas County Park. SeEtta

It was crummy weather, mid 30's and drizzling when I spotted this Vermilion Flycatcher at Anzalduas Park. The bird's feathers were pretty wet which caused them to stick together in some areas. Instead of sallying out to catch insects in flight it was foraging on the pavement. So I drove slowly near it and parked about 40 feet away. And I stayed in my car to photograph it using my car as a blind, a technique I use a lot as it reduces disturbance to the birds. After watching the bird several minutes it flew near by car and proceeded to forage on the pavement within 10-15 feet from me. I used the silent setting on my camera (while I don't hear any noise I have seen some birds reacting so there is apparently some sound that is audible to them, but this bird did not show any reaction to my shots). I couldn't see what the bird was pursuing but it sure worked hard at it. And I got some nice close up pics. SeEtta

I spotted this female Vermilion Flycatcher building her nest and got a couple of pics (from inside my car about 40 feet away). SeEtta

Oh, these birds are such beauties, their brilliant red plumage is eye-popping in the sun. SeEtta

There are several Vermilion Flycatchers at Neals Lodges this week and have seen them at other locations in the area including Chalk Bluff Park. And I spotted this Blue Grosbeak at the pecan grove at Neals Lodges also. SeEtta

Though with the 400mm lens I use, a 1.4 extender and the multiplier for my dslr camera because it is not 'full frame', which gives the equivalent of about 900 mm (about 18 X the normal view) zoom, the Vermilion Flycatcher was too distant for very good pics (and it was 6:30 pm so the lighting wasn't good either). The pics were taken from about 90 feet but when I tried to get 20 feet closer the bird fly further away. I tried unsuccessfully to refind her.  However, the darkish mask and streaked underparts are visible.  And the bird dipped it's tail, phoebe-like, which is the first thing I saw that with it's light coloration made me think this was a Vermilion.  The light yellowish wash on it's lower belly and vent area instead of a salmon/pinkish coloration is indicative of first year birds.  SeEtta

Late today I spotted this first year female Vermilion Flycatcher in the Canon City,CO area.  A rarity here and much of Colorado, there have been only 1 or 2 other records since I found the first Vermilion which was also a first year female.  Two more pics to come.  SeEtta