Great Crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus crinitus
When you are in the field after a couple hours you often wonder what more could turn up. Keep going as around that corner in my experience anything can and will happen. There is a direct correlation between looking and seeing or exploring and learning. Time invested is time well spent.
I think I just stopped round a corner and immediately saw this bird fluttering between perches - always returning to this branch and on this occasion with what looks like a big Cicada. I knew it was a "tyrant flycatcher" type family bird. A purchase of a big new Sibley from Barnes and Noble sorted it out later. Each US type bird seems to have 3 or 4 geographic varieties of species. So from West to East this was either Dusky-capped, Ash-throated, Brown-Crested, Great-Crested or Nutting's flycatcher. The Great-Crested seems to tally up with identification marks and range. Its is a Summer visitor to this part of Florida but seems to over-Winter in the very South. It had quite a fluttery week flight.
I promised some other characters. The butterflies in this part of the world are stupendous. I will start with this Gulf Fritillary. Firstly the handsome orange overwing.
But just look at this for a stunning butterfly - perched and the underwing view. I am happy with this photo !
I now have a book which is helpful - I think that when in the US in the warmer months I am going to double up with butterflies. Perhaps I can use them with poorly shot brown birds to brighten up a post. There are hundreds of US species and most of the parks in Florida claim about 50.
Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, Florida
24 May 2015
