Don Whitehead was out with a group of people doing a Breeding Bird Atlas Route when they found the bird. With modern technology the word was spread and people came from all around to see this unusual vagrant.
These are my pictures but if you want to see a little better picture you can go here to see a few pictures that Scott Evans has posted. I am sure there will be plenty more to view too. The photography equipment that was hauled out to photograph this bird was something to see too. Happy weeknend all...
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A correction about how many times this bird has been seen in the Untied States. It has been seen about 60 times in 100 years. I don't know where I got the info about 10 times but it was wrong. I wish I knew how to mark through words as a correction. This will have to do. Let us just say it is RARE.
I am impressed! Such a pretty little fellow and such a long tail. I am happy that you got to see him. Is that a lifer?
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to see the unusual and rare in nature, what a wonderful bird tale, I mean tail!
ReplyDeleteOh yes Beckie, the bird was a lifer for me and even more exciting, for Gary. VERY RARE bird.
ReplyDeleteThis bird will give many an interesting tale, I mean tail Gail.
What a stunnig bird Lisa, nicely captured.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting Lisa! I think your shots are perfect!
ReplyDeleteFantastic Fork-tailed Flycatcher!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a thrill!
Did anyone mention what they thought could have brought him up to Indiana? Maybe he rode in on a tail wind (no pun intended) from one of those big storms!!
Hi Lisa, I have just been checking out your Arty blog, you are very talented, I saw your painting of my Goldfinch and its stunning, keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteWhat an unusual bird! It must have been an exciting experience to see such a rarity.
ReplyDeleteDo you think he knows what a stir he is causing? How lucky to be able to see him!
ReplyDeleteOkay- NOW THIS IS TOO EXCITING... my hands would have been shaking I would have been so sure I might have missed my photo opportunity... you did a great job and he posed so well for you on that post...
ReplyDeleteHere's what my Florida bird book says of these rarities...
This spectacular species is the only bird native to S. America that often strays to N. America. When a fork-tailed Flycatcher shows up in the U.S. or Canada, it is as a result of "mirror migration" in which a bird that intends to fly south flies north instead. In Florida, there have been about 20 observations in the peninsula between April and January, all since 1952.
Great post, Lisa. Great fun for you!
meems @ Hoe&Shovel
HiLisa....How amazing...these are the things in life that make me smile and lift me. What a pretty little bird....and what a long tail. I to would have travelled to see something that special.
ReplyDeleteLovely post to finish my lovely weekend, tku.
Thank you Mike. It was so hot and there were heat waves and wouldn't you know my batteries were low. UGH I am just happy I got to see the bird.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jayne. I was so excited I could hardly concentrate on trying for a picture.
Cyndy, they say that these young birds overshoot their destinations. I guess their navigation system is messed up.
Sherry, I don't think he knows. He wasn't too afraid of the group milling around oohing and ahhhing about him. He would move to a post and a group would move their scopes, cameras with tripods and several children were there. FUN
You are right Meems...EXCITING.
You are right Cheryl it was amazing and to think it was only an hour drive from our house. WHopeee!!!
Lisa - that is just too cool! And how neat that the internet plays such a wonderful role in the sharing of information like this. We really do live in amazing times, using such cutting edge technology to do something so basic to nature as watching a bird. Thanks for taking us along on your visit!
ReplyDeleteDear Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI am so excited too! WOW!
He is a handsome bird. I also would have driven to see him.
I love the way you are connected.
I need to get into a bird network.
Sherry
How exciting and what a pretty bird too!
ReplyDeleteLucky you, Lisa! I never saw such a little bird with such a long tail. I understand how excited you must have been when seeing it!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you for getting to see and photograph the little sweetheart. At first I thought it was the scissor tail, the Oklahoma state bird, but this guy looks smaller?
ReplyDeleteLisa, I know you were beside yourself with delight over that sighting. Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteFrances, the Fork-tailed Flycatcher is slightly larger than the Scissor-tailed Flycather.
ReplyDeleteFTFL has a black cap, White underparts and white wing linings. This one was a juvenile and its Forked tail was at least as long as a Scissor tailed flycatchers tail. I would love to see an adult Fork-tailed Flycatcher now. I guess I will have to go to South America. :)
Thank you all for popping in to share my excitement. Even though it has been several days since I saw the bird I am still excited about it. After another busy day or two here I hope we can drive back over to see it again.
ReplyDeletewow, how fortunate to have seen such a rare bird. This is one I've never heard of before.
ReplyDeleteDiane
Very cool Lisa! How exciting to see this lovely visitor. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing it had to have been to seen such an amazing bird like this! I hope one day to see one!
ReplyDeleteIt freaked me out the first time I caught sight of a Scissor-tailed flycatcher down here... can only imagine how exciting it was to see a fork tail, add a lifer to your list, and see such an unusual bird, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteYou really do live near a very active avian area, don't you...thank you for sharing :-]
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Lucky, lucky, lucky you!!
ReplyDeleteWOW, Lisa! I'm so glad you went out there to see it and were lucky to get photos! No need to look at the link. Your photos are fantastic. I wonder how many of us backyard birders and gardeners have a Fork-tailed Flycatcher on their life lists? Not many! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI share your excitement! A single
ReplyDeletefork-tailed flycatcher flew into my Rancho Santa Fe, California backyard this morning (27 July 2008)