Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on Golden Rod

[Alan Murphy]

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Smith Point, TX

D800, 600/4, ISO 500, f6.3, 1/500.

With the winds shifting out of the north today, I went down to my spot to shoot raptors. Migration still amazes me even though I have experienced it many times. I had a total of two hawks today, making it one of the slowest days I have had for raptors. It was however, one of the most amazing days I have ever seen for Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. We estimated there to be many tens of thousands of flycatchers at the point today. Streams of flocks would fly over our blind all day long, with hundreds perched on every fence line. I don't know where the raptors went, but the Scissor-tails sure did make up for it. It was a day I will never forget. This image was a grab shot taken from my car.

Thank you to all those who have purchased my new eBook.

[David Salem]

Great shot and beautiful scene. The perch and BG color work well with the birds color. Perfect exposure and comp. A friend told me that he counted over 6000 raptors at Smith Point on Oct 15th a few years back. Not this year, huh?

[Alan Murphy]

Great shot and beautiful scene. The perch and BG color work well with the birds color. Perfect exposure and comp. A friend told me that he counted over 6000 raptors at Smith Point on Oct 15th a few years back. Not this year, huh?

David, there have been quite a few days with over 30,000 hawks, but not today ;-)

[David Salem]

Wow. There must be huge kettles of broad wings going by. Very cool.

[Robert Holguin]

Stunnig image.
Love the habitat, great pose, excellent comp, and very well exposed.
Beautiful.
Well done.

[dankearl]

Very nice habitat image Alan.
I really enjoy your E-book, nice to know you also get "grab" shots!

[Jonathan Ashton]

Beautiful pose and colours and I like the composition, the vertical rods on the left make a good stopper to hold it all together.

[Marina Scarr]

Truly a stunning capture. The environment in this one is simply terrific and really complements your lovely bird.

[Bill Dix]

Gorgeous capture. This would be a prize bird in my neck of the woods; guess it's time for a trip to Texas. Love the bit of peachy color on the flycatcher, and the beautiful habitat. Well done, again.

[Don Nelson]

Superb environmental image of this bird. Send some of these our way out in Oregon next year, OK?

[Yves Guillot]

Very nice shot Alan!

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Gorgeous Alan. I havn't been able to nail this one yet and only had one shot at it when my lens was bad. I hope to get another.

[arash_hazeghi]

very beautiful, love this setup!

[Shawn Zierman]

Beautiful image in all regards sir. What a setting!
Was so glad to read this was a grab shot... with the depth that the bg is providing, and the fullness of the fg goldenrod, I was really going to be disheartened to read that you set this up...only nature can be this good :) There is a fullness here that just does not show up in a set up scenario...

[Satish Ranadive]

Elegant composition with extremely beautiful habitat.Wonderful colors and beautiful bird.Love it.

Regards,
Satish.

[Karl Egressy]

Great looking bird and beautiful scene, Alan.