Picture Of The Week 09-28-09

Where: Powhatan, VA • Powhatan Wildlife Management Area

Notes: The more I am out walking with my camera, the more aware I am that behavioral study has somehow become a tool in my nature photography bag. Properly used it has often placed me in good circumstance to capture an image. Weather it is a nest site, a food source or simply a favorable habitat, birds are occasionally predictable. Ahead up the trail, this woodland flycatcher was perched low on a branch of an understory tree. It flew out a few feet, grabbed an insect in mid-flight and then, returned to its original perch. This is a common feeding strategy for nearly all flycatchers. They sit and wait in one place for the food to wander by. This Pewee had flown back into the woods as I approached, but didn't go far, so I decided to see if it would return. I often carry a compact folding chair with me to sit and wait (with back support) for just such situations. I sat where there was good light direction, far enough away so the bird might return. With a clear view to that branch and after only about ten minutes wait, the bird returned and I was ready.