A Second Look at the Flycatcher

In mid-December eBird Rare Bird Alerts came in daily with reports of the Ash-throated Flycatcher at Halibut Point. I'd gotten a nice photo of it during its first appearance in early November, and decided to feature it in a blog posting. Additional pictures and experiences would have been nice to broaden the story. I dutifully roamed the perimeter of the Park meadow once or twice a day encountering a fair number of other pilgrims who'd seen it, or hadn't. Thursday evening's publishing deadline came and went with my bonus sighting wish unrequited. Friday morning I made one more unrewarded field trip and went to press with what I had at noon, as you've seen.

Ash-throated Flycatcher

Friday was a beautiful day, worthy of a nice relaxed afternoon visit to the Park. I set up the camera for a Little Sit at the edge of the woods. Darned if the flycatcher didn't land promptly on a branch overhead. The rufous highlights on the afterparts of its otherwise light coloration made a clear announcement.*

After darting off for a bit the bird returned to perch right at eye level for some exquisite poses. With the tripod in place I was ready to record the moment.

Of course this had nothing to do with its intention to compensate me for all those days of disappointment.

The flycatcher was finding winter survival food in the fruits of a bittersweet vine.

Hopefully it will continue its resourceful ways here as seriously cold weather challenges even the hardiest creatures.

* In the last posting I should have mentioned its close relative the Great Crested Flycatcher as also having rufous coloration on its wings and tail. The latter species appears regularly at Halibut Point as a summer resident that favors the treetops. Several mid-to-lower canopy flycatchers, including Phoebes and Peewees, have entirely gray and white plumage, sometimes with a yellowish cast on the breast.