Creekside Willow Flycatcher

Creekside Willow Flycatcher – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

This creekside Willow Flycatcher photo was a highlight and my favorite photo that I took yesterday while I was high in the mountains looking for birds.

I’ve been hearing Willow Flycatchers for weeks now but they have been elusive. I’ve struggled to get photos of them because the flycatchers have been too far away. When the flycatchers have been closer they have been mostly hidden from open view. It has been frustrating for me because in previous years these flycatchers have been very confiding. The Willow Flycatchers were easy to find and photograph.

Yesterday morning this Willow Flycatcher came in close, landed on a fence post and gave me great views for twelve seconds. That was all the time I needed to get the photo that I wanted. Knowing that I had gotten the images I wanted of this empid lifted my spirits. This flycatcher seemed to have a favorite perch on top of the willows across the creek. Unfortunately I didn’t have an open view of it perched there and the light angle was definitely not the best.

Where I find Willow Flycatchers

I find these Willow Flycatcher most often in riparian habitats in the mountains although during migration I have also found them in other areas including on Antelope Island. I most often hear these flycatchers before I see them. Earlier this year I heard the distinctive “Fitz-bew” call of this species out in the sky island mountains of the West Desert. That Willow Flycatcher sighting surprised me a bit.

When Willow Flycatchers are in northern Utah for their breeding season I adore seeing, hearing and photographing them high in the mountains.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Willow Flycatcher photos plus facts and information about this species.