(Polioptila caerulea)

This female Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was in the Emily Renzel Wetlands in the Palo Alto Baylands in Palo Alto, California. Not it's usual environment. My wife and I followed the detailed directions from a well respected birder and photographer on the South-Bay-Birds mailing list to arrive at the proper location. Neither of us had ever seen this species before and were excited to get a chance to photograph it. It appeared immediately on a medium-sized coyote bush_a non-stop blur of motion_cocking it's tail or flicking it from side-to-side. Always moving from branch to branch looking for insects, their eggs or larvae and spiders. Occasionally darting out to catch flies in midair. Great fun to (try to) photograph!