One of these photos is probably my favorite of the species so far.
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
Yesterday morning I had my best opportunity yet with the Willow Flycatcher I’ve sporadically photographed in the mountains over the last couple of weeks. This time I parked my pickup in a slightly different spot in hopes that he’d land on this perch again. Previous times when he’s used it my view of him was mostly blocked and this time our “plan” actually worked because he landed here twice while I was parked in my new spot.
He has kind of a grumpy bored look about him but otherwise I’m pleased with the photo. I’m mystified by the source of the rusty reds at lower right – my only guess is that it might be a small clump of dying leaves in one of the background bushes.
1/5000, 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
While he was singing he was too close to get a composition I liked so I took some shots vertically and I’m glad I did – otherwise there wouldn’t have been enough room at the top of the frame. It turns out that I like this shot best of all I’ve taken of the species so far.
This bird had a rather distinctive singing style that almost looked like he was physically trying to throw each syllable of his “fitz-bew” call forward using jerky head and neck movements.
If you have the interest here’s a link to a video clip of a Willow Flycatcher singing his “fitz-bew” song.
Ron
PS – Sorry about the premature email with a link to this post that went out to subscribers last night. Yes, I did it again. When all I had imported into the post was these two photos (with no text) I accidentally hit the “Publish” button instead of the “Preview” button.
Hell, they both start with “P” – how was I to know that made a difference…
Late addendum: I never received my post email this morning, which probably means other subscribers didn’t either. Bad stuff usually happens in three’s – I wonder what’s next.
Love these birds and these photos!! Thanks.
Thank you, Joanne.
That grumpity-bumpity look in the first shot is too much! 😀 He definitely looks much happier as he’s throwing his head back to belt out his song. Looking forward to more shots of this sprightly fella. Thank you for these delightful shots and the link to the songs. I really like the “brrlllp” right before the “fitz-bew” in some of the clips.
Don’t worry about the preview/publish thing — I saw last night’s notification as a little teaser for this morning’s post. 🙂 (I got this morning’s notification too.)
I didn’t know if ANYONE got it, Marty. I sure didn’t. Thanks for letting me know.
I just now got it at 10:18 AM, almost 5 hours late!.
Mine came in at 4:19, PDT.
That would have been about the time I posted and that’s when it SHOULD have gone out.
I love the tipping of the head.
🙂
Charming little fluffball. Personally, as a mnemonic ahh-choo works better for me, but then of course all our human syllables for bird sounds are whimsy on someone’s part.
None of them work for me, Lyle. Absolutely none of them!
This is a bird I believe I have never seen in nature. Beautiful picture and thank you for the link. I thought by your picture it is a tiny creature and that was confirmed by the video. Great series.
Glad you enjoyed the clip, Betty. I should include links to them more often.
Great shots of one of my favorite birds. I am almost momentarily shocked when I see a bird posed on a branch with no competing branches, twigs, leaves, etc. And then even if I do see an opportunity like this he or she takes off the moment I raise my camera.
I kinda wish there WERE a few leaves in the setting for the sake of aesthetics but it’s nice to have an almost completely unblocked view of the bird. Thanks, Everett.
Fantastic shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Fun and great shots of the bird……. 🙂 REALLY gets it’s head tilted and bill up there! Imagine they are “sleek” at some times rather than a bit ruffled…….. Since it happened before I “got it” after clicking on the link and though “OOPS!” 😉
Thanks, Judy. I figured most “old-timers” to my blog would know what happened as soon as they tried the link which came at a very unusual time. Especially because I’ve screwed up like that before…..
I agree…would be my favorite for sure. 😍Certainly both are terrific photos. They are such fun to watch and such a sweet looking bird. With the abundance of willow and alder thickets around I see them frequently and hear them…only way to tell them apart at least for me. I find it a welcoming call.
Yes, it’s almost like they know they’re “supposed” to be in willow thickets because of their name. Thanks, Kathy.
Two gorgeous shots Ron. I like that kind of haughty pose in the first one as well as the singer. Love that background too.
Good to know, Dave. I thought viewers might not like that first shot much because he seems so… bored.
WHAT a stunner. Both shots fill me with awe. And as always thank you for the link to his call.
It was fun to watch (and listen to) him calling, EC. He just kept flying around to different perches in his territory and singing away on each one.