Last week I posted a few Yellow Warbler images that were taken in the Wasatch Mountains on May 30. I took the photos below on the next day in the Uinta Mountains. Given my pathetic track record with the species I’d say I’m on a roll with Yellow Warblers.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 1000, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This bird was a completely unexpected visitor while I was photographing Tree Swallows and House Wrens at their nest cavities in an aspen tree. I think it might have been curious about my pickup and the clicking sounds coming from within so it flew over to check us out.
I’m not happy at all with the diagonal branch in front of its face but I do like the bird and that loop of aspen catkins at lower right tickles my fancy. I think the catkins are attractive and they add an interesting touch to the image, even though they block our view of some of the warbler.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 1000, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This shot was taken as the warbler prepared to jump down to a lower perch. Somehow the curved branch behind the head doesn’t bother me as much as it did in the previous image. That’s probably because the great light on the face and the intense eye contact keep my eye focused on the bird.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 1000, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
And here’s the warbler on the lower perch with another strand of catkins at upper right. The almost white part of the background might not be ideal but it’s a relatively clean shot of a Yellow Warbler in a tree and for me that’s an absolute rarity.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
About a year ago I was able to photograph a female Yellow Warbler feeding aphids to her fledgling. I’ve been looking for fledglings for the last couple of weeks but so far without any luck.
If I find any perhaps this time I’ll get a catch light in the eye of both fledgling and parent.
Ron
On a uselessly grey day (we wont get that much needed rain) and after more PC issues this display of golden gloriosity is wonderful. Thanks Ron.
And if gloriosity isn’t a word it should be.
Gloriosity works for me, EC. You can use it here anytime you like! 🙂
I almost never notice the deficiencies you mention and then only when you bring them up. I hardly ever agree that they are a problem with my appreciation of your work. These are beautiful and I get to see things I would not have the opportunity to enjoy in person. Thanks for all your time and effort.
Thanks, Betty. Maybe I’m too picky but I “yam what I yam…). 🙂
Every day I come here, you unveil outrageous beauties, large and small. These glorious little yellow warblers are a case in point. I don’t think I’ve ever seen these out in the wild, but that’s mostly because my eyesight isn’t that good, which is one of the reasons I started watching hawks oh so many years ago. But you not only see these beauties, but you present them in exquisite detail (all your various nits aside).
There’s exquisite beauty even in the most seemingly mundane things around us, especially those things/beings we tend to take for granted. But these little yellow warblers are so far away from mundane that it’s beyond belief.
And in my mind, it is this (and so many other things) that makes you so special. Thank you!
Thanks very much for the kind words, Laura.
A loud and emphatic YES from me too Laura.
And isn’t it nice to know that even picked nits can be beautiful.
Great shots Ron, just beautiful!
Thank you, Dick.
You’re on a roll, alright!!! WOW!!! These are wonderful!!!
I was at the same tree this morning, Patty – no warbler though. Maybe my streak is over…
Marvelous series Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
What a cheerful little bird. I really love the coloring.
Thank you, Stephanie.
Beautiful photos, I am glad you are on a roll with warblers. They are such a pretty splash of yellow in the new green growth.
School is out and I am only working my second job til the end of this week. I hope to get out a bit before my big trip to Australia.
I still want to get out to see the wild horses. We have gone twice but not found them.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve been out the horses, April. They’re magnificent animals but my preference is still birds… 🙂
Congrats on getting through another school year. I know the feeling!
Outstanding photos! When I read the text about the diagonal branch in the first photo, I had to go back and look and figure out (yes, it took me some time to do so) what it was that was disturbing you. When I looked at the photo for the first time all I saw was the bird. I guess the branch doesn’t bother me because it’s just part of where the bird was, and getting such beautiful shots of a Yellow Warbler trumps all. IMHO. 🙂
Thanks, Susan. It’s funny how that diagonal branch bothers me so much in the first shot and hardly at all in the second.
I think I am most fond of warblers and enthusiastic about ANY pictures of Yellow Warblers. The photo of the adult female feeding her youngster is adorable. Once, I observed a row of chickadee fledglings on a limb being fed by a parent. And another time, nuthatch fledglings following their parent up and down a spruce looking for grubs. It is truly a wonderful time of year for observing and for photography! Thanks again Ron for sharing so much cheer with us every morning!
“It is truly a wonderful time of year for observing and for photography!”
It certainly is, Robert. My favorite time of year actually…
Wonderful pictures Ron! I especially am fond of the third one. Warblers are such fascinating birds from their perky attitude to their care for their young and I feel you have perfectly depicted this through your photos. Continue to inspire and capture the beauty of God’s creation!
Of the 3 photos of the adult that third one is my favorite too, Daniel.
Wonderful capture of a beautiful little bird, Ron! 🙂 Sunshine on a cloudy morning here…….:) The twig in the 2nd picture doesn’t distract at all and even in the first the catkins draw away form that. 2nd photo is awesome to me! 🙂
Thanks, Judy. We have mostly clear skies this morning. It’s going to be hot!
Those catkins really are a nice touch to the photos…perhaps it’s a texture thing but it does spice things up. I like the mother/fledgling photo especially but all are great as per usual. Isn’t it amazing the difference that tiny dot of light in the eye make? I kiddingly say they look like zombies without it…but then I’ve not seen one of those. 🙂
“Isn’t it amazing the difference that tiny dot of light in the eye make?”
That’s absolutely true, Kathy. Movie directors often have the catch lights of their villains removed during processing to give them a “dead” or evil look.
That is interesting Ron..it really is a dead look, cold and emotionless. I’ve had some beautiful photos of birds and creatures but could not really say ‘wow’ because it was missing that little spark. Now I’ve learned a bit of trivia as to why I could not connect with the villians. Guess we just need to see the light…