Sunday, June 19, 2011

Wood Warbler Season

My first thought is, when waking up in the morning, where am I going to bird today. I can't wait to get up and get going. I am fortunate not to have to travel very far to arrive at great birding spots. They are all around me. I just have to make up my mind whether it's going to be a pine forest, a second growth terrain, a grassy field, a swamp,  pond or river...

This weekend with warblers on my mind I hiked up Hogback Mountain to the top of the Tower Trail where last year I had seen my first Blackburnian Warbler astonishing me with his bright orange chest. And I saw him again, on the same moss-covered weather-beaten conifer, with the morning sun reflected in the blazing orange of his throat and chest.

 Eventually he dropped down into a  spruce to forage.


He found a fat spider...


...which he promptly swallowed. Last to go were the spider's legs.



Black-throated Blue Warbler

 Photographing warblers, such as the Black-throated Blue Warbler above or the Black-throated Green Warbler below, who are at home in the shady understory of a forest, present a special challenge. What's needed is a lens with a wide aperture to let in enough light, but the best I can do with mine is an aperture of 6.3, which means I have to use a slow shutter speed and high ISO to get anything at all. So usually I end up with grainy underexposed photos that require a lot of post processing work.

Black-throated Green Warbler



I found this Chestnut-sided Warbler in a power line cut. He was in bright sunlight but didn't want to sit still in his pursuit of insects through the brush until he finally flew into a distant tree to rest for a few minutes.


Cheers and happy birding!


Thanks for visiting. Please leave a comment.









20 comments:

  1. Hi Hilke

    What a wonderful collection of wablers. I really enjoyed the post.

    Guy

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  2. Great views of warblers!! Hilke. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  3. Your beautiful warblers are so colourful...
    Your captures of them are stunning.

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  4. It sounds like you have a great variety of habitats close by. The color on that first warbler is amazing!

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  5. Very nice Warbler captures! Indeed it's tough to get photos of these beautiful birds in low light.

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  6. Great catches Hilke! The Blackburnian warbler looks like he might ignite the forest by his presence alone. These are amoung your best. Bravo!

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  7. They are so beautiful, and your photos are lovely!

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  8. Your shots are beautiful. I think I have to do birding too.

    Duck photo shoot

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  9. Love the warblers and you did great with the photos, Hilke.

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  10. I'm a wee bit jealous that you have so many pretty warblers. That Blackburnian is a stand-out!

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  11. WOW is all I can say--that blackburian is Brilliant!! I have to do the same...HIGH ISO to get the light doesnt always work so well for me as it obviously does for you!! Happy Birding.

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  12. A lovely collection of warblers. I really love your captures of the Blackburnian Warbler!

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  13. Such lovely species -- wonderful finds!

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  14. Nice combo of great photos and helpful commentary! Just discovered you--I'll be back.

    That Blackburnian is really something--what a flashy guy.

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  15. Oh, they are all wonderful!
    Lucky you to get so many gorgeous fellows & photos!
    I wonder if the spider legs tickle - and no, I won't try it ;)

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  16. Fantastic capture of the spider 'lunch.' :)
    I love the shot of the black throated green warbler on the little branch. Nice composition and oh what beautiful bokeh!
    Thanks for your visit. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

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  17. So many beautiful, colorful warblers! Wonderful images! Fantastic capture of the Blackburnian with the spider snack. This terrific post is most definitely a feast for the eyes!

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  18. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments!

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