[Birdnet] Vaux's Swift(s) Update and Pictures

[Tim Avery]

After getting off the phone with Kris Purdy I jumped in my car for the 
nightmare drive to Willard Bay.  The 55 minute drive took an hour and a 
half, even staying away form I-15.  When I got to the spot where the 
birds were seen, Kris Purdy and Glenn Barlow were watching form Kris' 
vehicle.  They had seen the birds again which was a good sign.  WE 
walked down to the fence so we were as close to the field where the 
birds were seen as possible, and within a minute one of the bird made an 
appearance and zig-zagged and zoomed on past.... Here is a teaser shot:

http://www.timaverybirding.com/photos/may07/vasw_03.jpg

We watched the bird(s) for some time only seeing one at a time as it 
cruised by, several times 5 or 6 feet above our heads and a couple times 
just 10 feet away from us.  At one point Kris and I shouted out where 
the swift was, only we were looking in different places, confirming the 
belief there were two birds.  A short while later Steve and Cindy 
Sommerfield arrived and got looks at the birds as well.  It was a lifer 
party as the bird was a lifer for Kris, Glenn, Steve and Cindy.

With the possibility of north winds tonight, there is a chance these 
birds may stick around till tomorrow, so it may be worth a shot in the 
morning.  Kris asked me to post this follow up as she is having some 
technical difficulties, so here are her directions to the location:

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Directions: Take I-15 to exit 357, Willard Bay. At the end of the exit 
ramp, turn west (left) and then north (right). Follow the road as it 
curves west and then look for the pink tape tied on a willow on the 
embankment 90 yards after the next right turn (that's the road that runs 
east of the Willard Bay sewage treatment pond; pass it by). The swifts 
field is due south of the pond.

-----

In any event, photographing swifts is a lot like photographing a 
missile.  It involves a lot of luck, a lot of blurry shots, and you 
likely throw away half your shots when you get home.  And hopefully a 
few turn out so you can prove to your friends you saw a missile... Or in 
this case a cigar with wings, dipping and diving at a high rate of speed!

7 Images: http://www.timaverybirding.com/photos/species/vauxs_swift.html

Good Birding and THANK YOU KRIS for another great find!

Tim
tanager at timaverybirding.com