Filed under: Arizona | Tags: Arizona, Butterflies, Flora, Hassayampa, Parks, Travels
Isn’t he beautiful? He’s a Vermilion Flycatcher that we saw at the Hassayampa River Preserve near Wickenburg, AZ.
More than 280 types of birds have been documented at this preserve but we barely saw any during our 3 hour walk. We heard them (including a woodpecker) but until we were getting ready to leave, they kept themselves scarce.
I think this one, below, is a female vermilion flycatcher as they seemed to be hanging out together.
Also spotted is what I think was a Mourning Cloak butterfly which is the state butterfly of Montana so maybe Terry can confirm my guess.
There were quite a few of these flitting around but I couldn’t get very close.
And Tony correctly identified this as a praying mantis egg case which I was able to verify on the internet:
This is an American Coot, I believe.
It’s a drab, stark place in the winter so this may not have been the best time to go. Even though we didn’t see much wildlife, I still took quite a few photos so I’ll be blogging more about the preserve in days to come. Here’s a hint:
9 Comments so far
Leave a comment
love the bird! brilliant color
Comment by RiverUnderWater February 20, 2013 @ 7:34 pmVery nice. I want some of the praying mantis egg cases in my yard!
Comment by Colleen Anderson February 20, 2013 @ 7:46 pmAmazing pictures!
Comment by photographyartplus February 20, 2013 @ 7:46 pmYes, I’d say that is a Mourning Cloak. The Flycatcher sure is a beauty! Back in the olden days I used to spend a lot of time along the Hassayampa; good memories!
Comment by montucky February 20, 2013 @ 8:26 pmlovely photos!
Comment by Deborah Weber February 20, 2013 @ 8:28 pmYou got a fine series of this beautiful bird. We don’t have a “red” bird in this part of the state as far as I know.
Comment by Don February 22, 2013 @ 10:20 amWhat striking color on that Flycatcher! Looks like a fun place to enjoy nature, Candace
Comment by Anna February 23, 2013 @ 10:01 amOh my goodness, that little flycatcher is GORGEOUS!! what an amazing color, and I’m sure I’ve not seen one before.
Comment by Lisa Gordon February 23, 2013 @ 12:07 pmSuch wonderful photographs these are.
What a beautiful bird! I’d love to go check out that preserve sometime!
Comment by sunshinekara February 24, 2013 @ 7:48 pm