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Great Crested Flycatcher
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Great Crested Flycatcher

by Sharon Hallowell

Gallery: AvianPosted May 30, 2014750 views9 comments
This little bird was trying to catch a nap at Bombay Hook a couple of weeks ago.

50D, 700mm, ISO 200, F5.6, 1/250 LARGER version also provided. Thanks for your comments/critiques...I appreciate them and learn from them all. Sharon

I edited the title from Willow to Great Crested. A BIG thanks to Richard Ditch for helping me to correctly ID this bird!

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on May 30, 2014 at 10:43 AM
You're getting quite a collection now, Sharon. This one is also excellent as well. Nice soft light and captured well. If I had to wish for one thing it would be that the bird wasn't scrunched down, but this is how they sit when they're relaxed. Nice setting too. :toast:
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 30, 2014 at 11:11 AM
Excellent job getting so close to this one, Sharon. Nice pose and detail.

:toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 30, 2014 at 11:51 AM
You've got a Great Crested Flycatcher here, rather than a Willow Flycatcher, Note the rufous showing in the tail and the primaries, the amount of yellow on the underside, late bill, and lack of wing bars. This species usually show more of a crested look and more alert posture and I think that has contributed to the confusion here.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 30, 2014 at 12:11 PM
Thank you, once again, Richard! I spent some time on this one with my Crossley guide, and still failed! I definitely see the rufous color now. I thought the breast was a bit too yellow, but that's what separated it for me from the Alder Flycatcher. I note the edging around the tertials, but thought since the feathers on mine were a bit separated, that there was a wing bar there. One thing that definitely doesn't match is the bi-colored bill, which is what drew me away from the Great Crested. And it seemed to me to be way too small to be a GREAT anything!!! You, sir, however are a GREAT bird ID'er and I really appreciate your help and correction! Thank you!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 30, 2014 at 12:20 PM
Nice capture Sharon, Good that you were able to get distance in the background as it produced a very pleasing bokeh.
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 30, 2014 at 5:27 PM
A nice shot of this difficult species. A bit higher up that would be ideal but you manage the angle nicely.
Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 31, 2014 at 9:14 AM
Great catch Sharon, a new one for me.
Nice BG separation and details, relaxed pose :cool:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on May 31, 2014 at 1:27 PM
Another wonderful shot. Keep me coming. :toast:
Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 31, 2014 at 7:43 PM
A nice, sharp shot of this species showing the field marks well. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments