I thought this bird pulled off a pretty nifty trick but it happened so fast I wasn’t even aware of it until I arrived home and looked at my photos.
For a variety of reasons, including harsh sidelight, the following photos are of documentary quality only.
1/2500, 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 I photographed several Wilson’s Warblers as they were gleaning insects on fragrant sumac (so named because its leaves and bark smell like citrus). This likely male wasn’t interested in the berries even though they were abundant and this species occasionally eats them. When the bird leaned forward a bit I thought it might be about to take off so in anticipation I fired off a burst but he had other things on his mind.
In this case he’d apparently already spotted the insect at upper left flying toward him. When I cropped heavily on the “bug” in another photo it was obviously a fly of some sort but I don’t know the species. The only distinguishing characteristic I could make out was its eye color – they were the same color as the sumac berries.
1/2500, 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
He made no attempt to take off and catch the insect in flight. Instead he waited for the fly to come to him. And it did.
1/2500, 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
He snagged it right out of the air with that tiny bill but the momentum of the grabbing motion…
1/2500, 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
caused him to lose his balance so he had to use his right wing to regain it. Sadly I didn’t get any interesting shots of him swallowing the insect.
I didn’t even know this had happened until I got home and looked at my photos on the big screen. When my camera shutter is flapping in front of my eye through the viewfinder I miss some things that I otherwise might see. But another reason I missed noticing is because it happened so fast. These four shots are sequential in a burst without any skips and the elapsed time was only four tenths of a second.
That’s one of the things I love about bird photography – it allows me to pick up nuances of behavior that I’d otherwise surely miss and then at my leisure I can study them in my photos for more details. Pretty neat.
Ron
PS – On an unrelated note I keep forgetting to mention something that may be of interest to some readers. Since 3 days ago I’ve regularly been hearing bull elk bugling in the mountains. Maybe fall is almost here, finally. I’m sick of summer heat and smoke and I don’t think I’d thrive if I lived in a region without distinct seasons.
Ha, listen to me. In a couple of months I’ll probably be bitching about having to shovel snow…
Another shot for Dr. Tallamy! 🙂 Love the teetering. BTW, your “documentary” shots are better than I could ever do on my best day!
Hmm, hadn’t thought of sending it to him, Marty. Not sure the fly is detailed enough for an ID but you never know…
The big bird is back today and I got a closer better look at it. It is an osprey. A golfer took a picture of it and stopped at Hawk Watch for help to identify it. When I called back this afternoon they agreed with my change of mind. Still very exciting.
Ok, that makes more sense, Betty. I think Ospreys are migrating now and I’m seeing them in several places where I usually don’t.
Me too, I’m done with the heat. We have been having 40’s and lower at night, 60 low 70’s during the day. Getting dark earlier and earlier.
Mosquitoes are fewer, horseflies have gone, birds are molting fairly quiet, Enjoy this time of year and Spring. Couldn’t understand why there weren’t any birds at the feeder until I looked on our PUMA pole and there was a Merlin looking for a meal! The pictures I took were only good for ID purposes, it was too early in the AM, not enough light.
Love the shots Ron!
Dick, I’ve seen 30’s on a few mornings lately and it’s felt good. It was 38 this morning where I was. Thank you.
I’m crazy about little Wilson’s Warblers! Saw my first ever 5 years ago in Lassen Park…and was shocked to find one in my backyard fountain (500 miles south) the very next spring! Now they are regular, though infrequent, visitors each spring & late summer/fall, usually just one or two at a time. Saw my first of this season a few days ago. I know they’re catching insects out there, but never have seen it in action (just lots of dipping & bathing), so these images are especially fun to see. The open bill is my favorite–quite a mouth on that little guy!
Chris, I believe that was the first time I’ve photographed them and I became an instant fan too. Love that black cap even though it can’t be seen very well in most of these photos.
Love this ‘documentary’ series. Awe and wonder. Thank you.
I am glad for you that the sweaty season is finally leaving the building, but dread her arrival here.
I’ll bet you do, EC. Good luck with it this year.
I can’t even imagine getting such a great cspture!!!h
Thanks, Patty.
Amazing series of photos, but are you certain you didn’t bait this bird? 🙂
Not a chance in hell of that, Dennis!
Excellent capture. They are so quick but you are quicker! There are still s of birding days left before winter. It is 93 degrees F. (34 C) here today but tomorrow it won’t be!
Thanks, Judy.
I love this series. I love color and these pictures are colorful. That must have been a nice treat to discover all that action when you viewed them on the big screen.
On the subject of fall I am wondering about something I observed yesterday at Forest Dale Golf Course in the center of /salt Lake Valley. Around five o’clock I noticed a large bird on the top of one of the weeping willow trees. I was pretty sure I knew what it was but I also grabbed my binoculars that I keep handy and sure enough it was a bald eagle. Shortly it swooped down toward the lake and then east. I watched for quite a while and saw it two more times in the space of about 90 minutes both flying and perched on the willow trees around the lake. Even tho the balds frequent Farmington Bay area it is unusual to see them in town. I feel very fortunate to live here.
It’s pretty unusual to see a Bald Eagle there this time of year, Betty. I usually have one on my yard for a few days in Dec or Jan but never this time of year.
Woke up this morning to grey skies and a cool wind. And I said, “Welcome fall.” 🙂
🙂
Wonderful and amazing burst! Glad to know the elk are active there too. Too much heat is hell.
Simply amazing behavioral series Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
I meant to say attracted not attached.
Yes! One of the most thrilling series of photos you have shared showing an undoubtedly common behavior often missed in a blink. I don’t think the fly saw it coming either! I admire the confidence and focus of the little bird, and its amazing reflexes that allowed it to snatch the fly so deftly. I notice the bird did not blink. If it had, it surely would have missed the fly. Do you think the warblers glistening gape attached the fly or was it just anticipated good luck on the part of the bird?
Thanks, Robert. I suspect the fly was just oblivious…
Great captures. Both you of the bird and the bird of the bug.
Thanks, Lyle.
Neat series. I can’t fathom being able to catch such action with a camera. And I’m amazed that the fly would go straight to the bird. Your fragrant sumac is the lushest I’ve ever seen. We have them growing at our park, but I’ve never seen them that loaded with berries. When I was introduced to that bush, I was told it is also called skunk bush. I’ve never thought it smelled bad, but I’ll have to check it out now for the citrus scent.
Nice! There are often surprises when I look at images when I get home (like fish below a water lily being photographed) as well as various insects on/in flowers…….;) They are a bright, beautiful little bird in a dreary season! 🙂 Noticed a couple of weeks ago buck mule deer still in velvet are already “collecting” does – seems early, BUT probably is my wishful thinking…….:)
Judy, I saw a herd of perhaps 35-40 mule deer this morning but didn’t notice any bucks among them.
Remarkable photos Ron. Have never seen a Wilson’s Warbler. Quite possibly a few travel through here on migration though. So often you don’t see things like the fly catching till you are home putting the photos onto the screen. Definitely looking forward to fall here and up in Flagstaff. I grew up in Pennsylvania and fall was always my favorite time of the year. Lived in Southern California for 30 plus years and always missed it there. Have a good weekend.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
I hope you enjoy your fall this year, Everett. Thanks.
Amazing documentation. What do you suppose caused the fly to go right into the mouth of that little guy?
It didn’t go right into the mouth, Nina. The bird had to lunge for it once the fly got closer.
WOW, Ron – loved the series of this sweet Wilsons Warbler!! You also made me think of something that came to mind when you said you didn’t even see it until you were viewing your photos at home!! I learned early on NOT to delete photos in the field & your blog is an excellent reason for not doing it!!! That little screen on the camera can never show you all the little details you’ve captured!! I don’t have the best vision so I’m grateful for my nice big computer screen – (21″ diagonal). Of course a big screen also shows you the stuff you really wish you hadn’t captured – LOL!!
I absolutely never delete photos in the field, Jo Ann – for the reason my mention and several others.
Boy! Am I glad to hear that!!!
Wow! Great post, Ron. I love the open-bill shot.
Thanks, Christine.
Neat series of fly-catching! A deft catch for the warbler with some agile footwork and a very proficient capture on your part. That black cap is quite attractive…I don’t recall seeing that before. I do believe they pass through this area in migration though. I know what you mean about seasonal changes…I so look forward to celebrating each one with autumn being my favorite. The grays and browns of late autumn are beautiful; the beauty of each tree showing it’s distinct form…priceless! ❤️ My favorite time to be out.
Kathy, they migrate through most of the US so you probably do have them.
I’m anticipating fall this year more than I usually do. Thank you.