Alder or Willow FC ?

Gallery: AvianPosted July 1, 201177 views7 comments

Another from "The Hook". Not sure which flycatcher this is...Willow or Alder...I've labeled it as Alder only because it seems closer to the pics in the majority of my books :). Apparently it's very difficult to tell unless you hear them, and I'm not very good at that yet, or can compare them in hand. If anyone has an idea of what this bird is, I'd like to know! Either way...it's a first for me!

50D, 500mm, Iso 200, F4, 1/500 LARGER version also posted. Thanks for looking!

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 1, 2011 at 10:54 PM

definitely a Willow/Alder but beyond that it's not possible to say definitively without vocalizations (unless you're only in the breeding range for one and not both). I like the comp and alert-looking pose, and the setting too. I do wish that the bill/front of the head had been against a leaf so it would stand out better. I might try a touch more sharpening on the larger version.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 2, 2011 at 12:49 AM

Sorry Sharon, I am not any help on the identity. I agree with Brian's suggestions.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 2, 2011 at 8:38 AM

Nice setting and early? light, great details & well composed Sharon. Love to watch these flycatchers at work here as they shag insects off our pond :)
Well done & have a great 4th

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on July 2, 2011 at 11:26 AM

Nice view of this bird complete with catchlight and head turn, Sharon. I think that it contrasts well against the leaves and dark bg too: no blotches of sky to add to the confusion!

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 2, 2011 at 12:37 PM

Brian has said it well - without hearing the bird vocalize you cannot tell by appearance alone. Both species breed in New Jersey not that far north of Bombay Hook but I don't know about Delaware.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on July 2, 2011 at 2:25 PM

This photo is nicely composed and I like the natural setting and colors. The leaf behind the head makes it just slightly to determine the head outline, very minor nit.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on July 4, 2011 at 12:37 AM

Nice light and natural habitat Sharon. I think the image is well sharpened and I like the comp as posted. Nicely captured.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments