A pair of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers caught my attention during a visit to Sunnymede Park in Fort Smith, Arkansas. I was sitting along the trail when the birds started moving behind me.
One of them gave me a quick chance at a photo as it tried to land on a tall weed.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Perched at Sunnymede Park
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are easy to recognize when they show that long, forked tail. Their pale gray head and neck also stand out, along with the soft salmon-pink color on the belly.
This bird was part of a pair I saw at Sunnymede Park. They were active near the trail, flying around the open edge behind me.
That kind of setting fits this bird well. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers often use open areas where they can watch for insects and make quick flights after them.
This encounter also reminded me of another flycatcher moment from the same park, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher With Cricket at Sunnymede Park.
Watching a Long-Tailed Bird Work the Trail Edge
The long tail is more than a field mark. It helps make this bird so graceful in flight.
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers can twist and turn as they hunt insects in the air. Watching them move through open space is part of what makes them so enjoyable to photograph.
This bird did not stay still for long. It moved toward the tall weed, and I had to react fast before it shifted again.
Photographing This Arkansas Flycatcher From a Park Bench
I was sitting on one of the benches along the trail when I noticed the birds behind me. That gave me a steady starting point, but I still had to turn and frame the shot quickly.
The perch was thin, and the bird was trying to settle on it. I liked the balance between the delicate weed and the long-tailed shape of the flycatcher.
The morning light and open setting helped keep the bird clear in the frame.
Camera settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Location: Sunnymede Park, Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Date and time: May 3, 2023, 8:22 A.M.
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter speed: 1/2500
- ISO: 800, Auto
- Focal length: 500mm
It was a brief moment, but a memorable one. A bird like this can turn a quiet walk through a local park into a strong wildlife photography opportunity.