I came upon this beauty, along with the White-throated sparrow and the Song sparrow in previous posts, on my walk through Ijams Nature Center late last week. When I first spotted him, he was high in a tree. I took a couple of snaps anyway.
I was glad I did. This was the only view I got of the yellow rump patch.
Enchanting. That subtle fall plumage against the yellows and blue, and the quiet of the moment. A rest along his journey?It was only this spring that I got better acquainted with warblers as they were migrating through my yard. And it was with great delight that I encountered a Blackburnian singing in the low canopy, so close that I wanted to stop breathing for fear I would startle him.
I think my earliest futile efforts to see and identify wood warblers make them all the more endearing to me now. I count these up close visits among my treasured wildlife moments.He/she's a bit shaded here...
but none-the-less a beauty. I thought I was about to lose him, when he once again landed on a branch close by with a bit of sunlight.
A yellow-rumped or a Magnolia? I keep waivering between the two. But the magic lingers just the same.
Note: The consensus from the bird blogging community is yellow-rumped warbler. Thanks everyone for your comments!
Great sightings and photos of little birds. I find the little ones much more challenging than the larger species - but maybe because of that so much more special.
ReplyDeleteOne birds photographer said that wablers move like electron moving around nucleus.
ReplyDeleteMick,I so agree. It never occurred to me until I began photographing hummingbirds, that I could come anywhere near capturing these smallest birds.
ReplyDeleteTabib, that is a good discription! Though this one was quiet at the moment, they are usually flighty, busy eating and then on with migration.
My Vote is for the first year Yellow Rumped Warbler. I like their white eye rings. It makes their eyes look wide open and symbolically able to see perfectly in focus.
ReplyDeleteThe little birds do play hide and seek with you. I am amazed how many good shots you did get in. They do flit around in the shadows where it is hard to get their colouring. Being serenaded is a very special experience. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos and lucky you are to get warblers passing through your yard. i have to go to the state park to see them.
ReplyDeleteWarblers are tough for me but this one I know is a Yellow-rumped Warbler. They are very common in our area and the white underside with only yellow SIDES separate it from the magnolia.
ReplyDeleteYou have some great images of it.
Bernie, that was my initial impression, too. I do love his eye ring.
ReplyDeleteHi Arija. My rare moments with warblers do feel special and very satisfying.
Hi Tony. The migration through my yard was a chance surprise. When I discovered the blackburnian I was actually following the song of a woodthrush. What a double surprise.
Thanks for stopping by Nancy. This was my initial impression, then I kept confusing myself the more I looked at the Peterson sketches! He is lovely, isn't he!?
Vickie, what a nice encounter and I definately vote for the yellow-rumped also. I usually use more than one bird guide when I have a difficult ID. Sibley's and Kauffman are my current favorites but I also consult NatGeo's guide and the Golden Guide. If all else fails, I go web surfing!
ReplyDeleteWarblers summer with us here on the mountain and are quite common. I'm afraid, I sorta that these flitting forest jewels for granted. Especially the Yellow-rumps. Thank you for sharing your quiet encounter. Bev
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reference info Kathie and the ID reinforcement. I think I may be ready soon to get a fall warbler book. I just get so much enjoyment out these guys.
ReplyDeleteHi Bev. I'm still enjoying them all. When I photograph a warbler, I never really expect a good shot. That's one reason why these photos were such fun!
A magical few moments! What wonderful captures!
ReplyDeleteMarie
Thanks, Marie. They were truely magical for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving a comment. I love birds. We seem to have a rather large assortment of birds in our backyard. I love to sit and watch.
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