ML35605621

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Large rail appeared very briefly in scope-view as I was studying SBDOs. Initial impressions were strikingly different from any east coast clapper I've seen; no grey at all to face. Clean rusty cheek, small white throat with neck tawny on ventral side and richer rufous dorsally. Overall bird was a very tawny, rufuscent hue. Most notable was the orange mantle and back with neat black-centred scapulars. Barring on side of vent/belly seemed strong but bird never turned fully to face me. Also, but probably not relevant/diagnostic, was that bird seemed v bulky compared to dowitchers behind it. Bird disappeared into phrags on western edge of the HQ marsh - managed to snap on cellphone shot through scope. Is this bird possibly an offsrpring of Bayonne Cling pair that has dispersed from natal site? Certainly a lot of king genes being expressed here if so. Or is a lack of suitable freshwater marsh in the region is forcing King rails to colonize saltwater marsh at times?

Technical information

Model

iPhone 6 Plus

Lens

iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2

ISO

40

Focal length

4.2 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/2.2

Shutter speed

1/120 sec

Dimensions

594 pixels x 405 pixels

Original file size

106.96 KB