The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) nests across much of the United States as well as many areas of Mexico. It winters from the southern U.S. southward to Central America. It is a tiny, active, insectivorous bird with a wheezy song. The top image was a wintering bird in Kenedy Co., Texas, in January, 2000. The shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1N and EF 600mm F/4 L lens and 1.4X extender on Fuji Provia film.

The next three shots show Blue-gray Gnatcatchers which were on nesting territories near Vernal, Uinita Co., Utah, in June, 2001. These photos were taken with the same equipment as above. The black line from the forecrown rearward across the eye is only present on the male during the breeding season.

The next two shots on the left show a male Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Lake Marvin, Hemphill Co., Texas, in April, 2007. These were digital captures with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher on the left was near Rio Grande City, Starr Co., Texas, in November, 2007. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender.

The male Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in the next two shots was photographed in a blooming redbud tree on Wichita Mountains N.W.R., Comanche Co., Oklahoma, in April, 2008, with a Canon EOS 40D and an EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender.