Vermillion Flycatcher

Gallery: AvianPosted December 13, 2010176 views20 comments

I had a conference in Phoenix last week, and took an extra day to bird last Friday. I also had a very wonderful host in Richard Ditch, who took me out one afternoon to the Gilbert Water Ranch.

But the biggest birding thrill for me? Sitting on my hotel patio eating lunch during the conference, when a Vermillion Flycatcher landed in the tree next to me! First one I've ever seen. I literally spilled my lunch everywhere, running back inside to grab my camera. Came out, and he was gone, but I saw he was flying back and forth between a few perches by this little pond outside my room. I waited by one, and soon got this shot.

Canon 50D, 400 5.6L, no flash. Mid-day Phoenix sun, but I'll take it for my first look at the species!!

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on December 13, 2010 at 10:42 AM

Great capture, Terry--mid-day sun or no. Matters not. The foliage can be darkened just a smidgen with a gradient.

If this were mine, I would be most tempted to remove that branch that shoots off to the life. Not sure it adds anything to the image. A 2-cent opinion LOL

Nice job.

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on December 13, 2010 at 10:52 AM

Good shot, Terry. Very nice perch !
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on December 13, 2010 at 10:55 AM

Very nice Terry! No nits from me. I like the natural perch and the sky is a very natural blue.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 13, 2010 at 11:15 AM

Always a tough exposure Terry. Well done given the bright sun. Comp is fine with me.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 13, 2010 at 11:41 AM

Congrats - nice work on a tough color and in our harsh light. This looks natural as posted, as does the perch.

We're less than five miles north of your hotel but have never had this species show up in our yard.

By the way, the Baikal Teal wasn't seen at all this weekend at the Water Ranch so you timed your visit well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 13, 2010 at 11:42 AM

Terry,

Awesome shot, especially considering you found it at the hotel. The best birds I foundin El Salvador were around the pool of our hotel, go figure. You handled the reds well

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Wilson on December 13, 2010 at 11:46 AM

This is terrific! I've never even seen one! Congratulations!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2211 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on December 13, 2010 at 11:54 AM

And, you got a great capture and the reds look fine. It's my favourite Flycatcher.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on December 13, 2010 at 12:04 PM

Very ;nice image of a beautiful bird. When I opened the image and saw you name I thought this is a sight if a Vermillion Flycatcher made it to South Dakota. I lived in Pierre for 6 yrs. I had to go all the way to Medellin, Columbia to a Vermilion, but then down there they are very common. I was so excited when I saw the first on, then I saw them everywhere.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on December 13, 2010 at 12:21 PM

Very nice indeed - this species was a highlight for me too on a birding trip to Arizona some years ago.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on December 13, 2010 at 12:31 PM

Nice one, Terry. The reds on these guys can be tough, especially in bright sun and they look great here.

Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on December 13, 2010 at 12:55 PM

Terry,
this all works very well for me. Great capture.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Gilham on December 13, 2010 at 4:35 PM

Very nice capture Terry, the flycatcher really pops with that nice blue BG. Comp and detail are great. Well done

Registered on September 20, 2009, 77 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 13, 2010 at 7:33 PM

Congrats Terry, these guys are gorgeous and this is a sweet image, nice job with the reds

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 13, 2010 at 7:45 PM

I'm delighted for you Terry - this must have been a heck of a thrill. I'm impressed that you got the reds this nice in such light. Big congrats!

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on December 13, 2010 at 10:10 PM

Good for you! I chased one all over Sweetwater, just outside of Tucson for an hour or so and never got close to it.....

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 13, 2010 at 10:49 PM

Everything looks spot on Terry. I really like the golden vegetation with the blue sky, and of course that amazing bird.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 13, 2010 at 11:58 PM

Excellent image, especially for mid-day sun, Terry. Great angle and head turn.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 14, 2010 at 1:40 AM

Awesome catch Terry

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 14, 2010 at 9:06 PM

I enjoyed the story behind the shot Terry, and what a treat for the eyes this beauty is.
Nicely done!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments