Resting adult Willow Flycatcher – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The last time I was up in the Wasatch Mountains I heard several “FITZ-bew” calls but didn’t see a single Willow Flycatcher out in the open. At least not where I could photograph one. I’m hoping that when I get back into the mountains I will hear, see, and photograph one or more of these small flycatchers again. I adore hearing and having them in my viewfinder.
When I have Willow Flycatchers in my viewfinder they are magnified by the power of my lens. Then when I see them up close with my naked eyes sometimes I am taken aback by how small they actually are without that magnification.
Willow Flycatchers aren’t flashy or colorful birds but they don’t need to be to draw my attention. They can be challenging birds to locate and photograph but knowing their behaviors, their habitat, their calls, and having plenty of patience can increase the odds of getting high quality images of them.
I photographed the Willow Flycatcher in the photo above on May 31, 2019 in Summit County in the Wasatch Mountains. The flycatcher was resting in between calling and foraging.
I am very much looking forward to my first photos of this species this year.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Willow Flycatcher photos plus facts and information about this species.
On a recent visit to central Colorado, we tried to tour several National Wildlife Refuges… but they were all mostly closed in order to preserve habitat for the endangered Willow Flycatcher. Glad you got to see him, and especially glad to see a photo to appreciate what the closures were trying to accomplish.
Beautiful bird, he so matches his surroundings.
I hope you see and capture these charmers again soon.
Wonderful image of this lovely little flycatcher Mia. Our migration here in Ontario was very slow and late this year, so it has been difficult to see the migrants as the leaves were all out on the trees.
Wonderful photo. I photographed my FOY Willow Flycatcher yesterday. I heard it before I saw it. I love their call. It is so distinctive.