7000k from home? Elaenia in Chicago

This all started when a couple of teenagers were out birdwatching at a local park. What they originally thought was a Lesser flycatcher turns out to be an Elaenia from South America. While the debate is going on concerning the exact species, I've manage to make it down and get some shots. For the record, this is one tough bird to photograph. Shade to sun, high up, deep in leaves, and never sits!!! But a rare opportunity and glad it was in my area, and I thought I would share.

The story can be found here: LINK

That is an awesome find Ken. I bet it was exciting. I saw this story on the national news last evening. They were calling it a White-Crested Elaenia. Wonderful shots you have of it too.

Nice work/find and good shots and good ID.. Except for the dark lower mandible and white crest it looks alot like pacific slope fly catcher... Your efforts payed off!

Beautiful images, really wonderful colours, sharpness and backgrounds.

What a fantastic result and looking at the quality of the shots you've achieved all the more impressive. I'd be turning cartwheels if I'd gotten those, well done

Very nice

Congrats on the catch of the year, sure looks like a tree hugger, lol, Well done!

That's a lovely set!

txcanon wrote in post #14311425
That is an awesome find Ken. I bet it was exciting. I saw this story on the national news last evening. They were calling it a White-Crested Elaenia. Wonderful shots you have of it too.

Thank you. I'm very interested in the story behind it, as well as following the ID process.

Kraig C wrote in post #14311452
Nice work/find and good shots and good ID.. Except for the dark lower mandible and white crest it looks a lot like pacific slope fly catcher... Your efforts payed off!

Thanks - I really have know idea on what it is, and folks like Sibley are trying to figure it out. I'm just happy with the shots I got.

Andrew Tingle wrote in post #14311486
Beautiful images, really wonderful colours, sharpness and backgrounds.

Thanks Andrew.

2slo wrote in post #14311762
What a fantastic result and looking at the quality of the shots you've achieved all the more impressive. I'd be turning cartwheels if I'd gotten those, well done

Very happy for sure! The perfectionist in me says "I can do better" - I'll get back there for sure.

Jericobot wrote in post #14311775
Very nice

Thanks!

BGgraphy wrote in post #14312080
Congrats on the catch of the year, sure looks like a tree hugger, lol, Well done!

LOL! Thanks to the teenagers who found it! Tree hugger and part ping-pong ball!

Charles Roy wrote in post #14312160
That's a lovely set!

Thank you!

I read the story in the Trib and I wondered if anyone local from POTN would have gone for a look. Guess the answer is yes.

Nice shots, way, way better than anything the paper or TV crews ran with.

Excellent capture!

Virto wrote in post #14313845
I read the story in the Trib and I wondered if anyone local from POTN would have gone for a look. Guess the answer is yes. Nice shots, way, way better than anything the paper or TV crews ran with.

Thanks! No luck today....

Flo wrote in post #14313930
Excellent capture!

Thank you!

So this is the bird causing all the stir. Great captures Ken

Awesome captures, and a big congrat's on what may be a once in a lifetime occurrence.

andrewhuxman wrote in post #14321049
So this is the bird causing all the stir. Great captures Ken

Man i could have used you downtown!

Hillbillygirl wrote in post #14321155
Awesome captures, and a big congrat's on what may be a once in a lifetime occurrence.

Thanks!