Great Kiskadee

A great kiskadee perches on a narrow branch high above the ground, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
A great kiskadee perches on a narrow branch high above the ground, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I photographed several great kiskadee when I was in Mexico at the beginning of the year. These are large flycatchers, prevalent throughout Latin America. Most of the time I saw them high in the treetops, but after a bit of patience, I was able to photograph several in the lower branches.

A great kiskadee perches in a tree high above the ground, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
A great kiskadee perches in a tree high above the ground, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Regardless of the pose, the best photos are captured with a catch-light in the bird’s eye. This brings a sense of life to the bird, and creates a more pleasing photo.

Both photos were shot with the great Canon EF 100-400mm lens. It is not the fastest out there (f/5.6), but when used correctly, it can produce fantastic results.

Copyright 2017 Hank Christensen