Vermillion Flycatcher

[c.j.]

CJ's Desert Dwellers: Vermillion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus


Family: Tyranidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
Genus: Pyrocephalus
Length: 15 cm (6 in)
Wingspan: 25 cm (10 in)
Weight: 14.5 gm (0.51 oz)
Voice: Song is a crescendo high, flat sputtering notes, ending with a high trill.



An uncommon bird, usually found around wet oases in desert habitat and mixes of trees, brush and grassy openings near water. It sits perched on the end of a branch and forages for flying insects.

I took this shot this morning. It isn't up to the quality level I prefer, but, it is still a beautiful bird.

I've been real busy, I hope to get more photos posted in the future.

Handheld (perched on window sill…)
Cropped
EXIF: ISO 200, f 5.6, 1/40 shutter speed, 420 mm focal length

[Copy_Kot]

That is a great shot of a cool looking bird C.J! There appears to be something strange going on with the head feathers just above the birds eye's (at least on my monitor). I haven't seen anything like it in any of your past images... It looks like the feathers are too bright and have bled together.

[paulnj]

That is quite a sweet find in your area from my limited knowledge

While not your best quality image, the subject is high on many people list! The framing and subject position are great.

[Jaedon]

Wow what a beautiful bird... and while not up to your usual standards as you say, still an excellent image in my books. One day I will make the trek to the desert and see what I can find. Nice work CJ

[c.j.]

Thanks everybody.

The bird is quite elusive. He ( or his offspring) has been coming here for many years. I've been trying to get a shot of him for the last two, but he is usually high up in a tree when singing, or inconspicuously, (hard to believe, being bright red) sitting on the end of a branch a few feet above the ground sailing forth and grabbing insects.

The 'halo' is caused by (I think) a combination of how bright he actually is, the different shades of red in the crown, distance and early morning light/contrast. If you look at the EXIf info, you'll see my camera was close to the lowest settings possible (shuter speed, f stop) and still shoot. Here is a side view, you can see a little more of his crown.

The only shots that aren't a complete smear are from balancing the camera on the window sill.

Now that I have one shot, I'm pretty excited about, maybe, getting better ones. I just hope it doesn't take two more years!!!

I've been busy with guests since February and havent been able to post. Things are quiet for a bit (until the bug and bird people start arriving), so I hope to get some shots put up.

My garden is just really "kickin' in". Should be a great summer for photos!!!

[big baldo]

Very cool looking bird!! Its nice when you finally get a bird that you've been hunting!!

[Copy_Kot]

Another great shot of that bird C.J! When we had a lot of snow here, most of my cardinal shots would look similar to your first image. De-saturating the red a little seemed to help get them to look believable.