Mellow Yellow

I was determined to capture this tricky little bird on film.  I got a shot awhile back but I wasn't satisfied with it....so I needed more.  And so I returned with the sound of their voice in my head......

As I searched for the Yellow Warbler, a Ruddy Duck floats by on one of the ponds at Sweetwater.

Suddenly the chirp! Silent moment.  CHIRP! Silent moment. CHIRP! And then quickly a yellow flash in the mesquite full of yellow fuzzy flowers grabs my attention.  There are two of them flying around!  But I can barely get a decent shot of them.  They move much too quickly in and above the Mesquite.  To make things worse, the Mesquite is full of yellow flowers adding to the confusion. 

I stand for 30 or 40 minutes quietly waiting for them to come out into the open.  And finally I get my break, but the bird is way up high.  So I shoot away hoping that one shot will turn out.....

I become one of my cats as I silently stalk the bird with my camera.  Any sudden movements and the bird flies off......but I am able to get close at times.

The clearest shot of the Yellow Warbler

As I do, the bird flies off........

.....and disappears to another spot.

I am never really meant to get too close to the Yellow Warbler, but I get excited that I could track this bird down.  With Warblers, it can be tricky. On a post a while back, I told you that I had been tracking one in a Cottonwood Tree along a canyon stream but had almost stepped on a Rattlesnake.  Warblers hide well in the brush and one needs to be careful trying to get a clear shot of these beautiful birds as there is a lot hiding in the shade during a hot summer day:)

As I leave, I hear the Harris Hawk squack at sunset.  What a nice treat!

Up up and away!

 But more tomorrow....:)