Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Warblers


Black-throated Green Warbler
When I say the word "warbler", I groan.  It's an intimidating word.  They are not easy birds to observe. Nor do they like to pose for the camera.  


Yellow Warbler
And it's not just me.  There are a lot of people out there who feel the same way.  They take time and patience.  A LOT of patience. 

Kirtland's Warbler
In Wisconsin, we took on the difficult task of finding nesting warblers.  We missed migration and we knew our job would not be an easy one. 

American Redstart
And to make things even trickier, we arrived at a time when most warblers are silent.  Nesting birds are often secretive as there are hungry birds and mammals out there wanting a little protein.  

Kentucky Warbler
Cowbirds eye up nests as adults collect nesting material.  They wait patiently so that they can lay their own eggs in another bird's nest.  This is the way of the brood parasite.  


Cerulean Warbler
Warblers in the birding world are considered gems.  They are beautiful but that is true about a great many other birds. And yet warblers are held to a higher standard.....


Red-faced Warbler
Over time, I've listened to other birders speak of warblers in a way that can only be described as reverence.  No other bird group gets that recognition except maybe hummingbirds, Birds of Paradise and the Resplendent Quetzal. I'm sure I'm missing a few other groups;)

Blue-winged Warbler
I think of warblers as impossible.  Always doing their own thing and not really having a care about the other birds around them. Hop under the leaf and feed....always hiding in the shadows.  

Grace's Warbler
Rarely sitting long enough for a photo. There isn't any secret way to find them.  It's all about luck and being in the right place at the right time. 

Golden-winged Warbler
The one thing that gives a warbler away is its chip note or call.  


Townsend's Warbler
There are so many similar calls that it can often be difficult to get your eyes on the right bird.  For example, I think I hear a Pine Warbler call and it's really a Chipping Sparrow!

Pine Warbler
And I think for that reason, warblers can be one of the most difficult bird groups to find. 

Mourning Warbler
So when a birder finds a warbler, it's always a celebration. 



Until next time......

11 comments:

  1. WOW! Well I know they are not easy to find or photograph but you hae done a superb job on this post. Love the Yellow Warbler

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  2. Hello Chris, pretty collection of warblers and photos. One of my favorites is the red-faced Warbler, very pretty. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

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  3. Hello Chris!:) Wow! They may be difficult to find but you sussed them out in style, with these beautiful photos. Loved every one of them, but especially the Red-faced and Yellow Warbler.

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  4. Your warblers are wonderful! They don't seem to be hiding too much rom your camera lens! Great post!

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  5. Some amazing looking birds here and such wonderful colour.

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  6. Gorgeous photos Chris - the warblers where you are are so very colourful :) A lovely post.

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  7. Some brilliant shots there Chris. What a great selection, a feast for the eyes. No one should underestimate the time and effort that's gone into taking those photos. I'm fortynate in having seen most of those species - not Kirtland's, Red-faced or Townsend's but the rest are just as fabulous as you show us.

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  8. you've seen some beauties! the red-faced is really neat! i've only seen the yellow here and one other type on migration.

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  9. Cracking shots! You guys do have a lot of warblers to deal with , much like our honey eaters I suppose.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  10. They may not be the easiest birds to photograph but the results make it all worth while.

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  11. Chris, I missed out on so many warblers this year. May I can pick up a few this fall. They are such a challenge! You did good!

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Thanks for stopping by!