I went to Madera Canyon in the hope of seeing one of these (among a lot of other birds) I was most happy to get some pictures of him.
He is beautiful, Skip. I can see where you would have this on your wish list to capture a photo of, and I am so glad he posed for you.
A great catch, Skip. It’s always nice to nail a rarity. The colors look good and it’s a nice pose. It looks like the brighter whites on the neck ring are blown and the bird seems a bit soft in the largest view you provided. Some minor issues, but given the rarity, I’d certainly keep this one.
Nice image. Some blown highlights in the branch as well and sort of flat, as if a fill flash was used. Maybe loose the red in the BG, it’s kind of competing.
I spent time with them at nearby lake Patagonia…calm and genital like a Robin, also one of the few birds that travels south for the summer (to the high / cooler mts. in Mexico)