Costa’s Hummingbird with a clean bill

Costa's Hummingbird grooming

After yesterday’s post of a Costa’s Hummingbird with a pollen-encrusted bill I thought I’d give equal time to a bird with better grooming. This Costa’s Hummingbird was photographed in our back yard as it used one of its tiny feet to readjust the feathers of the gorget or to clean the base of the bill. We’ve lived in this same house in Phoenix, AZ, since 1994 and have had Costa’s in the yard every day since we moved in, but this is the only time I’ve seen and photographed one using a foot in this manner.

The light direction was a bit of a problem so I resorted to some fill from my flash, probably set at my usual -1.7 stop level. I detest using flash at all, preferring the look of natural light and not liking the bright pasty look that flash can deliver. Reducing the power in a fill situation can help control that artificial look so I will put up with the bother of  flash in some conditions.

Nikon D200, 300/2.8 and TC20E (2x), SB-800 flash at -1.7 stops, ISO 400, 1/250th at f/5.6, 8/14/07.

Pollen Beak

Costa's Hummingbird with pollen

I know that a lot of photographers will only bother with subjects in peak condition, being especially fond of males in breeding plumage. I try not to be so selective (elitist?) and look at all the birds around, and doing my best to show any bird to best advantage regardless or sex, molt, feather wear, or other condition of real life. So my files have a number of birds in questionable states verging at times on curiosities.

This male Costa’s Hummingbird was hard to ignore on March 28 in the Demonstration Garden at Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, AZ. This is definitely not the way this bird’s bill looks. It appears to have quite an accumulation of pollen built up, forming a crust along most of the upper surface. I don’t know what caused this – perhaps the hummingbird picked up some sticky substance from a sapsucker well or a cactus before visiting the pollen source. It didn’t prohibit the bird from feeding on the nearby penstemins and other flowers, and he didn’t make a fuss trying to scrape it off on a twig or branch as I see other hummers do after feeding. Maybe he just likes the extra color?

Nikon D200, 300/2.8 plus TC20E (2x), SB-800 flash set to high speed sync and -2 stops fill, ISO 400, 1/800th at f/5.6. About 50% of the full frame image.

Empidonax Frustrations

Empidonax Flycatcher at Boyce Thompson Arboretum

I’ll be the first to admit that these small gray/green/yellow flycatchers are difficult to identify, especially when they are silent as most of the birds are that I see in the deserts of central AZ. When I “learned my birds” I lived in New Jersey, and the problem of empidonax identification was fairly easy – you just listened to them on territory! When I moved from NJ to AZ I mostly gave up on these troublesome birds, but I still struggle with them at times embarrassed by this particular inadequacy.

The flycatcher shown here sat in front of me and my camera for just over a minute in the Demonstration Garden at Boyce Thompson Arboretum on 3/28/09. I got off a few frames, mostly to assist in later study with my collection of field guides. The setting wasn’t the best, and the light direction was a problem, so both of the images shown here have their aesthetic issues.

The possibilities are:

• Gray Flycatcher
• Hammond’s Flycatcher
• Dusky Flycatcher
• Pacific-slope Flycatcher
• Cordilleran Flycatcher
• Willow Flycatcher

I’ve left out the eastern empids, as well as the colorful Buff-breasted Flycatcher, from the list of likely birds here near Phoenix.

Empidonax Flycatcher

I’ve posted a gallery with more shots (as well as head close-ups cropped from these and other images) on my web site.

I’d enjoy hearing anyone’s analysis on this bird – maybe its still not too late for me to continue to “learn my birds.”

Follow-up 3/31/09.

The votes are in, and by an overwhelming majority this bird has been identified as a Hammond’s Flycatcher. The tally of comments received here and in private email messages is:

• Hammond’s Flycatcher – 8
• Dusky Flycatcher – 2
• Least Flycatcher – 1

My thanks to all who provided insight on this bird. Now, all I need to do is keep the input in mind and apply it in the field next time I see a silent empid in front of me.

Addendum 4/2/09.

I’ve received another well reasoned vote for Dusky Flycatcher from an experienced local birder whose judgement I trust, so the count now stands at 8, 3, 1. So, please provide your input if you have an opinion on this bird.

Black-necked Stilts in Love

Black-necked Silt Mating Dance

While sorting though images for today’s post I noticed the time stamp on this image – March 27, 2008. So, I thought I’d post it as a “heads up” to other local bird photographers to get out in the field and watch for this to happen.

Black-necked Stilts nest at the Water Ranch in Gilbert, AZ, where this image was taken a year ago. They are a lot of fun to watch while they go through their mating dance which is very similar to their close cousins, the American Avocets who also breed at the Water Ranch. The female assumes a stanch with the head lowered. The male bows and scrapes and tosses some water about with his bill, then mounts the female for a brief period. When copulation is complete the male gets down and both birds perform a short ballet.

It is difficult to capture the complete sequence, even though regulars to the Water Ranch are now aware of the performance. You want a tight shot of a bird to show detail but need a wider view when the male mounts the female – it is very hard to avoid clipping the male at the top of the frame or an extended wing on the edge. You want a clean setting with a good background – always difficult a the Water Ranch because the other birds keep getting in the frame or there’s lots of junk on the water’s surface. You want soft warm light early or late in the day, and it needs to come from the proper direction to illuminate the birds as they perform. And you need quick reflexes to catch peak activity and attractive poses.

No, I don’t have a complete sequence. I’ve got lots of short sequences or various parts, but none are all that good.

But I do have this single image where everything came together properly at the right moment.

Nikon D200, 300/2.8 AF-S lens with TC20E 2x converter, tripod, ISO 200, 1/320th at f/11, 3/27/08.

Use the setting

Gila Woodpecker on Saguaro cactus

The Gila Woodpecker is a very common and easily seen bird in the deserts of central Arizona, so I have taken a lot of photographs of the species. But that doesn’t mean I’m bored with taking more photos of them, and I’m always looking for new ways to show them.

The Saguaro cactus “island” just off the main parking lot at the Water Ranch in Gilbert, AZ, can be a good place to see and shoot these interesting birds, so on some visits I’ll spend more time than usual here to see what activity there is.

This male (note the red just showing on the crown) came to visit what likely is an active nest cavity directly under the arm of this Saguaro. Fortunately it was possible to get a straight-on view in early morning light that shows the woodpecker and keeps the cactus arm parallel to the sensor plane in the camera. With the sun low on the horizon behind me I had almost perfect front light which worked well to show how the bird is griping the cactus and using its tail to provide extra support.

The cactus provides some graphics to the image, with strong verticals on the left and an interesting curve above the bird. The obvious ribs of the cactus provide a three dimensional feel often lacking with direct front light.

Nikon D200, 300/2.8 and 2x, ISO 200, 1/125th at f/10, tripod, 3/14/09. 66% of full frame.