Gray Flycatcher with DamselflyGray Flycatcher with Damselfly – Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/750, ISO 250, Nikkor 200-400mm VR w/1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not a set up

This photo was taken at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in August of 2009 which is just before these flycatchers migrate south for the winter. When I first spotted the Gray Flycatcher it was flitting around in some dead shrubs along the auto tour loop. Gray Flycatchers are found throughout the sagebrush of the Great Basin and are known for the way they constantly move their tails downward. These flycatchers capture flying insects on the wing or from the ground and are found in forests where there ponderosa pines, junipers, pinyon pines or sagebrush steppes.

I have to say that Gray Flycatchers move fast which can make it a challenge to track them with a long, heavy lens. As I watched the Gray Flycatcher it flew towards me, snatched a damselfly from mid air then landed on a dead branch not too far away and proceeded to eat it while I photographed the bird. The light was wonderful, the setting appealing and the action was great. I don’t think I could have asked for a better background either. I was able to take a series of images of this flycatcher eating the damselfly.

I would love to have more opportunities with flycatchers, they are very interesting to observe and photograph.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Gray Flycatcher photos plus facts and information about this species.

This is a revised, updated version of an older post that I thought was worth sharing again.Â