Adult Say’s Phoebe perched on a barbed wire fence – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The calls of a Say’s Phoebe are among the sounds I listen for in March and they are the first members of the tyrant flycatcher family I see each year in northern Utah. Some Say’s Phoebes even overwinter in Utah and I believe the earliest I have heard them is in February.
So far this year I haven’t yet heard the call or song of a Say’s Phoebe but I know it won’t be long. I’d bet I just haven’t been in the right location to hear or see one yet while I have been in the field. I expect to see or hear my first of the year Say’s Phoebe soon.
Adult Say’s Phoebe perched on sagebrush – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I find Say’s Phoebes in deserts, sagebrush steppes, farms, ranches, mountain canyons, hillsides, grasslands, prairies, and near rocky cliffs. Usually I hear these phoebes before I see them. Typically they perch while they look for their prey.
Say’s Phoebes aren’t what I would think of as flashy birds with their gray-brown backs, heads, tails, and wings but the touch of pale rufous on their bellies is very appealing to me and shows up well in my photos. Most of the time.
On a more personal level, I received my first dose of the Coronavirus vaccine yesterday and other than having sore, stiff joints I haven’t felt any bad side effects. I will get my second dose at the end of this month and two weeks after that I will be able to resume a more “normal” life. Whatever normal means now. Does anyone really know what our new normal is going to be? I know I will still be taking precautions even after my second dose of the vaccine. It does feel good to have the first dose onboard.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Say’s Phoebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
Glad you were able to get your first dose! Woo hoo! Say’s Phoebes have such a gentle beauty about them.
What a gentle-looking little bird… interesting that his family is named “tyrant”. I noted that when I was researching Scissor-tailed Flycatchers as well. I’m looking forward to the return to normal also (my second shot is now two weeks old, so I’m feeling quite relieved). Hope you get the opportunity to visit more with friends and family… we all need that 🙂
Wonderful shots! I love the colors and composition of the images. The first pic is a masterpiece. Thanks Mia.
Thank you for posting photos of this subtle charmer.
I am glad that you have had your first shot.
I suspect our new normal will continue to be more careful than the old.
I think there is one at the Eccles Center. Lovely photos, who said brown birds are boring!
Beautiful photos, aMia
Congrats on getting your first dose of the vaccine. I think a new normal will be somewhat close to the old normal but we will looking over our shoulders, so to speak, in everything we do. Gorgeous Say’s Phoebe photos.