I spotted this flycatcher recently on a visit to the Ridgefield NWR, WA. The Western Wood-Peewee is our version of the very similar Eastern. Although a bit plain looking, I have come to appreciate the subtle characteristics and markings of this little 6 inch local.
canon 40D
canon 600mm f4.L
F/7.1 1/80 ISO 400
auto window beanbag rest
Posted by David Bostock on July 15, 2011 at 11:04 PM
A very sublime image, Craig. The background is superb, and the lighting on the flycatcher is fantastic. Excellent.
Posted by John Williams on July 15, 2011 at 11:25 PM
While non-birders may not appreciate these plane janes, I'm loving this. About as good a photo of a Western as I have seen.
Photographically: ditto what others have said. Very nicely shot. They can be jittery, but you did great with this.
Ornithologically: Is a Western Wood Peewee the same as an Ash-Throated Flycatcher? Someone i.d.'d a very similar looking bird for me as an Ash-throat, but I shot it in Central Or., so the region might be the deciding factor. I love them...especially their little punky heads (not quite a crest, but spirited nonetheless).
Hi Marylynne,
I wasn't aware of the "Ash-throated Flycatcher" but in looking up the bird it is amazing how very similar they are to the Western Wood Peewee. In Sibley's guide, it shows the Ash-throated's range covering most of central OR, along the coast north to about the half way poing, but NOT normally found in the valley range from CA north to the columbia R. The Western-wood Peewee however shows a much wider range from the Rockies west in most of N. America.
Their markings are very similar with the biggest difference in the Ash-throated has whitish wing-bars and whitish edges on the secondaries, while on the wood Peewee the markings there are more gray. The ash-throated has a throat that is more whitish and about 1/2 way down the chest/belly and below is more yellowish. The ash-throated adult is 8.5 inches long while the wood peewee is 6.5 inches. So you could have seen either one there in your neck of the woods.
Craig
Posted by Cliff Dodge on July 17, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Sorry to call it a bird, but that bird just pops out in the photo with that background! Nicely done. :)
Posted by Jeff Young on August 27, 2011 at 8:15 PM
Beautiful photo Craig. I agree with Marylynne's comment that the hairdo, on this bird helps me identify it as well. The delightful voice also adds to it's distinction, and helps distinguish it from other similar looking birds.
Discussion
7 repliescanon 40D
canon 600mm f4.L
F/7.1 1/80 ISO 400
auto window beanbag rest
Ornithologically: Is a Western Wood Peewee the same as an Ash-Throated Flycatcher? Someone i.d.'d a very similar looking bird for me as an Ash-throat, but I shot it in Central Or., so the region might be the deciding factor. I love them...especially their little punky heads (not quite a crest, but spirited nonetheless).
I wasn't aware of the "Ash-throated Flycatcher" but in looking up the bird it is amazing how very similar they are to the Western Wood Peewee. In Sibley's guide, it shows the Ash-throated's range covering most of central OR, along the coast north to about the half way poing, but NOT normally found in the valley range from CA north to the columbia R. The Western-wood Peewee however shows a much wider range from the Rockies west in most of N. America.
Their markings are very similar with the biggest difference in the Ash-throated has whitish wing-bars and whitish edges on the secondaries, while on the wood Peewee the markings there are more gray. The ash-throated has a throat that is more whitish and about 1/2 way down the chest/belly and below is more yellowish. The ash-throated adult is 8.5 inches long while the wood peewee is 6.5 inches. So you could have seen either one there in your neck of the woods.
Craig