The highlight of my recent photography trip to Ed R. Levin County Park in Milpitas, California, was spotting a beautiful Say’s Phoebe. Although I started my hike along the Calera Creek Trail looking for a rare sparrow—which I was lucky enough to find—the Phoebe quickly stole the show.
Ed R. Levin County Park has a mix of grassy hills and oak trees that attract many different types of birds all year long, and this makes it a wonderful spot for bird photography. Seeing this Phoebe out in the open gave me a fantastic opportunity to capture some clear, sharp photos of this special bird. Say’s Phoebes are a species of flycatcher that are easy to recognize by their gray-brown back and warm, cinnamon-colored belly.
Unlike some other birds that hide in thick bushes, these birds prefers dry, open areas. They often sit on low branches or fence posts, wagging their tail while patiently watching for insects. When they spot a bug, they fly out quickly to catch it in mid-air. Watching this bird hunt and pose in the sunlight was a real treat and made the visit to the park worthwhile.