It sure is hard to stay focused on the birds of the Big Country when such a celebrity is in town. We knew you’d like more pictures of this flycatcher so we’ve put up a few more. Under each picture is information about this bird, its ecology, where it “normally” lives, and a theory as to why it has a black mask.

Another rare visitor to the Big Country surprised us, a Mottled Duck (a resident of coastal marshes). Matt White was birding Lake Fort Phantom where he captured the above photo.

And a few more mid-September birding surprises await your viewing in our Fall Surprises gallery. Do you know what this strange bird is?