Flycatcher parent waiting for me to not look while it feeds the nestlings. My car antenna is a convenient perch for such activity.
mournful calls echo
as watchful parents dash, dart
flycatchers nest here
flap, crack-winged warning
startles, drives out predator
hoping for a snack
poofed fledglings appear
flapping, dropping, flight attemps
offspring launch from home
Both parents cling tightly to the fence in the wind, wishing I would go away and they could catch bugs (yay) and feed the babies. It’s hard to capture them still! Wind does not help.
flycatchers by Angie Quantrell
The clearest shot of the female (I believe). The wind is pushing up her chest feathers.
Every year for the past 7-8, we’ve had a pair of flycatchers nesting in the parking shed. It’s fascinating to watch them. And they eat flies (and all sorts of flying insects). Win-win for us.
I live with my husband and crazy kitty. Much of my time is spent writing, reading, and playing with the grands. You can usually find me sipping tea or coffee, nibbling on dark chocolate, and contemplating what to plant next in the garden. If not those pursuits, then I am probably trying to figure out how to cook and live in an RV, creating cards with rubber stamps, walking, hiking, or out snapping photos with my camera.
isn’t it wonderful to have those still moments when we can catch a glimpse into the life of a bird or other elusive creature? Thanks for capturing that moment for us, Angie.
I’m fascinated! Over the years, we’ve put nestlings back in the nest, fought off other birds (after the parents call and whack attack the, you can hear the crack of their wings), and chased off neighbor cats. We talk all the time to them. LOL
Thank you, Danna. I can’t figure out if these are the same birds (over all the years), or by some instinct, one offspring returns to the exact same spot in the parking shed each spring. It’s amazing! I love the photo on the car antenna! That bug in the mouth. LOL I have a fancy digital camera I dug out to try and capture the birds. It’s really sensitive to movement, so I’m glad that showed up.
It would be nice to know, I’m guessing it’s offspring. I always love the pictures you post. You have a knack for capturing “stories” and putting feelings to them in words.
Thank you! I love watching them, but they also make me anxious because our cat is a super hunter! EEK. The babies are all fledglings, so there is much activity and flurry of wings if we try to get in our car. LOL I can hear them all over the pasture as the parents try to keep track and feed them while they learn to hunt for themselves.
Love, Laughter, and Life 
May 15, 2025 at 10:36 am
isn’t it wonderful to have those still moments when we can catch a glimpse into the life of a bird or other elusive creature? Thanks for capturing that moment for us, Angie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 15, 2025 at 2:29 pm
I’m fascinated! Over the years, we’ve put nestlings back in the nest, fought off other birds (after the parents call and whack attack the, you can hear the crack of their wings), and chased off neighbor cats. We talk all the time to them. LOL
LikeLike
May 16, 2025 at 2:20 pm
Lovely poems, Angie. That photo on your car antenna is wonderful! What a fun show the birds put on for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 16, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Thank you, Danna. I can’t figure out if these are the same birds (over all the years), or by some instinct, one offspring returns to the exact same spot in the parking shed each spring. It’s amazing! I love the photo on the car antenna! That bug in the mouth. LOL I have a fancy digital camera I dug out to try and capture the birds. It’s really sensitive to movement, so I’m glad that showed up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 16, 2025 at 4:44 pm
It would be nice to know, I’m guessing it’s offspring. I always love the pictures you post. You have a knack for capturing “stories” and putting feelings to them in words.
LikeLike
May 23, 2025 at 3:36 pm
Thank you!
LikeLike
May 18, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Nice shots, Angie. Free pest controllers to your service.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 23, 2025 at 3:31 pm
Yes! I love that they eat the bugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 18, 2025 at 8:34 pm
How wonderful that you pause and watch these flycatchers each year. What a beautiful poem they have inspired! Thanks for sharing photos and the poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 23, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Thank you! I love watching them, but they also make me anxious because our cat is a super hunter! EEK. The babies are all fledglings, so there is much activity and flurry of wings if we try to get in our car. LOL I can hear them all over the pasture as the parents try to keep track and feed them while they learn to hunt for themselves.
LikeLike