Vermilion Flycatcher
When visiting an area I often check eBird to see if there are any interesting birds recently seen. Such was the case while visiting family on the Alabama Gulf Coast. A Vermilion Flycatcher was seen in nearby Foley, AL on Christmas Eve at the city sports complex. They included a photo of the bird atop a chain linked fence. The next day, after all the presents were opened, I hopped down the road to Foley.
In the map above you’ll see that there are two pentagons with five ball fields each. After about an hour of walking around the perimeter of the ball fields, I eventually found the Vermilion Flycatcher near the lake at the back of the ball fields. Any time I got within 50 yards of the bird he would take off so I knew that trying to get close wasn’t going to work. So I stayed back and observed him for a while. What I saw was that he was flying back and forth in a group of five or six trees close to the lake. I took position 25 feet away from one of the trees, sitting on the ground to make myself small with the sun at my back. Then I waited, hoping he would come to the tree.
Within 5 minutes, he was there! I scooted around on my butt to get a clear shot and was really surprised with how tolerant the bird was with me sitting close by. If I had stood up he would have flown away, but sitting there made all the difference. Sometimes its better for both you and the birds to let them come to you than it is to run yourself silly chasing after birds.
Vermilion Flycatcher. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/8.0, 1/1250 sec, ISO 1400.
Vermilion Flycatcher. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/8.0, 1/1250 sec, ISO 360.
Vermilion Flycatcher. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/8.0, 1/1600 sec, ISO 280.
As you might imagine the bird also flew to the nearby fence line. While on it he jumped down the ground and picked up a grub of some kind and then took it back to the fence and ate it. While the perch isn’t very attractive, I do like the eye-level stretch of the bird.
Vermilion Flycatcher. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/10.0, 1/1000 sec, ISO 1600.
Vermilion Flycatcher. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/8, 1/1250 sec, ISO 640.
The Vermilion Flycatcher is normally found in the Western U.S., mainly California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. In the winter, it migrates to Mexico and Central America. However, a few birds winter along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Such is the case with this bird, and I was happy to have the opportunity to photograph him.
