Black Phoebe still in Canon City

Yesterday I checked the area where the Black Phoebes had nested near the McKenzie Bride in Canon City. I could hear one calling but was unable to locate it. It is amazing how difficult it can be to locate one of these black and white birds. Indeed I frequently hear them before I see them.

Making it more difficult in the current situation is that these phoebes often hang out among the many overhanging branches that line a long section of the Arkansas River in this area. When one of the phoebes flies into or under the overhanging branches it can be virtually impossible to see them. And it is my experience that Black Phoebes often choose areas with overhanging branches (they provide a shady environment that would be cooler and they may attrack insects that these phoebes feed upon).

SeEtta