Scissor-Tails were my favorite birds when I lived in Dallas, and one of my main goals while visiting last weekend was to get some suitable pictures of these daredevil flycatchers. The rainy conditions made photography difficult at first, but with a bit of luck and perseverance my birding buddy Taylor Butler Posey and I found a cooperative pair of Scissor-Tails at Cedar Hill Lake.
This male, told by his exceedingly long plumes (which, with some straining, you can see extend all the way to the left border of this photograph), took a break from his hunting to stare out at the lake.
We pulled into some parking spaces behind him. While the car helped to shield us from the bird and prevented a total retreat, he did relocate to a bush further down the rail. Unfortunately the tail is obscured, but this did give us the opportunity to see the ruby-red armpits, something few adventurers glimpse and live to tell the tale.
Safe and secure atop his new perch, the male struck a few poses, scratched his shoulders, and just generally enjoyed being the most awesome bird in town.
Here you can see the four primaries on the tail, as well as the red epaulet. These features are much less exaggerated on the female, and the male seemed willing to show off.
The female Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher was very comfortable swinging back and forth on her willow perch. Her tail is not as long as the males, neither in overall length nor relative to her body length, and her epaulets are less red. That being the case, she picked a prettier perch than the male and one with more light. I contend that she is thus the photographically superior specimen!
These were the only two Scissor-Tails I saw in Dallas, so I consider myself lucky to have come away with some photos. We got the soul-satisfying view and I am so glad. It would've felt like a failure to leave Dallas without revisiting these graceful birds.
You are so funny! Great shots of this amazing bird!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie. The Scissor-Tailes is a real stunner, a jaw dropping bird of awesome and ridiculous proportions : ).
DeleteAlways appreciate your stopping by.
Sweet photos; outstanding job Laurence! Glad to see you were successful in your venture to get some great photos. That is definitely a very photogenic bird. I have added this species to my list of someday hopefuls:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammy. Florida isn't too far away from ol' Tejas. I hope you all mosey over and see some Flycatchers, it's totally worth it.
DeleteWow... Super shots!
ReplyDeleteCheers dAwN, thanks for stopping by.
DeleteWhat an incredible bird!! I'm finding flycatchers to be quite a diverse group of birds. Very interesting. And you pics are gorgeous....I love the flight shot especially.
ReplyDeleteThank you Chris. They are a funny bunch, including the Phoebes and Kingbirds and all those little empids...plenty of color and attitude to go around.
DeleteNow, if I could only find a Fork-Tailed Flycatcher!!
I've heard that's around here! Further south in the canyon area it has been spotted. That would be a cool find:) Questioney. When you saw that Gila Monster, did you get a shot? And if so, are you saving it for a special post? They are so cool to find outdoors. I've found every snake(which is gross), lizard, and turtle possible but not the Gila Monster. That would be a fun post. Critters with the name "Gila" like Gila Chub, Gila Woodpecker or Gila Monster.
DeleteI do have a few shots of the Gila Monster, which will go in my Mesquite Wash post last this week.
DeleteI still haven't found any Rattlers, but the Gila Monster was an awesome surprise.
Awesome!!!! Like always, I look forward to reading your work and pics. You don't have to answer this, but maybe write about it general on your posts. You are, I think, the only active birder/blogger in the Phoenix area that I know out and about in that heat....which is worse than ours here in Tucson. How are you dealing with it? I'm running up to the Canyons and will soon be venturing up to Mt. Lemmon for the birding stuff. I'm addicted but the heat during the Solar Eclipse day was terrible. I would never go at 5 in the afternoon usually, but I did. It's amazing how our birds can tolerate this nasty stuff. The birds bath and hummer stations have really taken a hit. I feed, in generaly around several hundred birds a day. The residents love it, but I'm finding that they are much more active in this heat! Bizarre. Sorry I write so much, but this has been an extremely fun hobby and you've got a lot of great info out there that has helped me with Id'ing etc. Time to shut it down and get some work done. Take care.
DeleteThanks Chris. There aren't a lot of Phoenix-based blogs, although there are a few such as Peggy Thomas over at Birding Without Barriers, and Gordon Karre at Birding Adventures. It's a bit misleading though, because there are a lot of Phoenix birders that seem to be out almost every day. They post a lot of their info on the AZ/NM birding listservs. That being said, most people definitely do look for the higher altitudes or the wetlands.
DeleteI try to get out early and be back in by noon time. I do long sleeves, loose clothes and travel light, but there's not easy way about it--it's hot! As you said, it is really impressive how many birds seem to endure the heat, even thrive in it. I'm looking forward to birding in 120 degree heat later this summer, just so I can say I did : )
That'd be a fun and tricky list: 'Birds I've seen in triple digit heat'
Great shots of a neat bird. I have only seen once in Arkansas on business trip.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dan. It's gotta be nice to mix business with pleasure ; )
DeleteA terrific (and funny) post Laurence! I've only had one opportunity with these incredibly beautiful flycatchers and I nearly crashed into a ditch in my excitement to get some shots.
ReplyDeleteHey I know that feeling and experience too! These sorts of birds are probably worth it...so pretty.
DeleteAnyhow I'd love to see your shots Mia. Thanks for stopping by.
Ah gorgeous! I am relieved that I saw one only a few weeks ago or else I would be drooling all over my laptop right now. Nope, I am still drooling... Sick shots!
ReplyDeleteI've read that they make special keyboard covers for this sort of thing. Thanks for commenting Jen, I'm glad we got our Scissor-Tails...it just wouldn't be Texas birding without it.
DeleteMan that's a sweet bird! They winter in S. Florida, but they're not easy to find. The one time we saw them, they were hanging out with some wintering Western Kingbirds (S. Florida's so weird). But, unfortunately, they were on private property.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to get such soul-satisfying looks without the looming threat of imminent arrest.
I've never been to south Florida, but I totally believe you. Kingbirds and Scissor-Tails is a great combination...like hanging out with royalty (but with less threat or execution for social faux pas).
DeleteThe looks were great, but arrest is still looming. That's another story...
I've tried crossing the private property barriers a few times by asking the owners permission. Usually the people are nice and appreciate the compliment. Sometimes they're weirded out and decline. Once I had a guy accuse me of casing his house so I could come back later and rob him (It didn't help that the bird I was seeking in his yard, which had flown in there from the adjacent, publicly accessed field, was a Brown Creeper).
Thanks for stopping by SCAD Man.
I love the colors on the bird
ReplyDeleteThey're real face-melters Adam, I recommend a good dose of Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher at least once a year.
DeleteWahoo! Nice bird! - I got to see one last year here in Utah sans cool tail.
ReplyDeleteYessir, this here birds deserves a holler! But you saw one without the cool tail? I am sorry to hear that Robert. That's be like seeing a bull moose without its horns, Teddy Roosevelt without his Mustache...
DeleteI hope your Buntings and Tanagers have arrived. I'm looking forward to your photos and posts there related!