[All photographs copyright, Gary Nunn 2014] – Frequenting wires and tree snags around Famosa Slough, Ocean Beach, this Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus has been seen on and off at this location for several months. This was the first time I had ran into it, so I stayed around the willow riparian south end of the slough and obtained some nice photographs. I was about to get in my truck and leave when it flew into small trees on the west side of the parking lot. I wandered back over with my camera and was pleased to catch some photographs of the kingbird dispatching a Polistes paper wasp. A few whacks on the branch and some tight squeezes of the wasp’s abdomen soon arranged the insect for consumption. The kingbird threw its head back and gulped down the wasp for breakfast!
Tropical Kingbird – Famosa Slough, Ocean Beach, San Diego County, California 30 March 2014
Tropical Kingbird – Famosa Slough, Ocean Beach, San Diego County, California 30 March 2014
Tropical Kingbird – Famosa Slough, Ocean Beach, San Diego County, California 30 March 2014
Tropical Kingbird – Famosa Slough, Ocean Beach, San Diego County, California 30 March 2014
Tropical Kingbird – Famosa Slough, Ocean Beach, San Diego County, California 30 March 2014
Tropical Kingbird – Famosa Slough, Ocean Beach, San Diego County, California 30 March 2014
Gary,
Great photo sequence on TRKI!
Merissa and I birded the TJ River and BSP today, after a quick survey of Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. Nothing extraordinary, just some interesting birdlife. Dipped on the YCNH at the sports park.
A first cycle Mew Gull on Moonlight Beach tied for close-ups of a half-dozen Black-throated Magpie Jays at the B&B reserve on Hollister.
Cal
I have been seeing the all over North Park , right now there must be 15 on the over head wires in the alley next to my house
Hi Kent, if you are seeing fifteen than most likely you have encountered a gathering of migrant Western Kingbirds.
Gary.
Great set of photos! May I post the link to them on the Famosa Slough facebook page?
Yes! You can always post links to my blog on the FB page for the slough!
I am an art quilter, making a quilt about the some of the birds found in S. Arizona in the Santa Cruz valley and surrounding areas. I would like permission to use your image of the tropical kingbird in this quilt. The image would be one of 4 or 5 bird images on a quilt that is 15 by 30 inches overall. I would intend to print the image on fabric, then enhance it with thread painting and ink.
Thank you for your consideration.
Hi Julie, please go ahead and use the image on your quilt!
Gary.