And some fungal (or rust) déjà vu.
I’ve posted quite a few Yellow Warblers recently but this one caught my attention. Not because it’s spectacular but I do think it’s a very nice image. It was taken five days ago in the Wasatch Mountains.
1/2000, 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
In my experience it’s almost unheard of to get this species against a clean background because they’re usually at least partly buried in vegetation so this background is one of the things about the image that appeals to me. And the fact that it’s a dark green background only enhances that appeal. I also like the berries, the varying tones of green and shade on the leaves and I think the pose of the warbler works just fine. The partially hidden tail doesn’t bother me. Much.
I also like the various stages and examples of “life” occurring on the serviceberry branch – berries both ripe and past their prime, small imperfections in some of the leaves and several examples of apparent parasites/decomposers. They can be seen on two of the leaves on the left and at least one of them appears to be the same fungus or rust I asked about on yesterday’s post, although its “spines” haven’t grown very long yet.
It’s funny, yesterday I spent several minutes scanning a serviceberry bush with my lens for another fungus like the one I posted previously and couldn’t find any and then this one shows up unexpectedly in a photo I took five days ago. You just never know…
If this post seems noticeably incoherent it’s because I’m trying to compose and type through the fog and pain of a cluster headache. I get them chronically but it’s been many months since my last cluster series and this one is kicking my butt.
I hate the damn things. No pain medication even touches them except prednisone and that stuff scares me to death.
Ron
Such a pretty photo!
Thank you, LS.
Beautiful image. Saw a Yellow Warbler in my yard for the first time yesterday-and he was on a serviceberry. Check out this link for the mystery organism (seems very similar):
https://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5443593
It does look somewhat similar. Thanks for the link, Lyle.
What weird looking fruiting bodies! I haven’t seen that on the serviceberries in Wisconsin or Kentucky. I will pay closer attention to the leave and perhaps “find” them.
Love, love, love this shot. Subtle, elegant and charming.
Having been fed prednisone intravenously I share your fear.
And used to get clusters of migraines (three and four a week).
I hope you are now pain free.
I didn’t even know they gave prednisone IV, EC. Makes sense though.
What Patty said! No nits need be picked here, the tail tip is visible on the other side of that “blockage” so I’m not bothered by it one bit.
Glad the CH went away. I’ve had exactly 2 migranes in my entire life, both 30+ yrs ago and the miserable memories remain; I cannot imagine enduring (even occasional) worse!
Thanks, Chris. Be glad they’re in your past…
Artistically,mthis images can’t be beat…everything about it it perfection…bird, background, berries, colors, composition, details…what a great capture(tail and all–nit picker!!!).
As always, I appreciate your artistic input, Patty. In that arena I need all the help I can get.
BS..same opinion with your writung….
It’s deja vu all over again. Or deja ew, if one is not a fungal aficionado. 😉 I like everything about this gorgeously imperfect and most obviously not set-up perch — the lovely Warbler is gravy! 😀
Yogi Berra has a way with words, doesn’t he Marty! Thank you.
It is a very beautiful photo. The lighting and colors are lovely. It is nice to be home where I can view your photos on a full screen, my smart phone does not do your photos justice.
Glad the headache is gone. I rarely get headaches and had not heard of cluster headaches, I learn something new from your blog every day.
Ha, I wish that was something I didn’t have to “teach” you, April. Thank you.
First, I’m delighted that the cluster headache dissipated! I don’t get headaches often–in fact, when they do show up, it’s a very unusual surprise (might be because of all the RA meds?). I don’t envy you at all.
As usual, what a gloriously beautiful image! I don’t see many of the warblers, or other tiny birds for that matter, so it’s a joy to see them up close and personal thanks to you. I don’t think I can ever properly express how grateful I am for your beauty infusion at the beginning of my days. It’s SO appreciated. I usually open your blog while watching the morning news, so your photography offers a safe, effective and powerful antidote to the shock and sorrow of that reality.
Thanks very much for the kind words, Laura.
Beautiful shot Ron. It is true that it is rare to see one providing such a clear open background. Not much I can offer on headaches except to say I hope they are gone quickly.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thanks on both counts, Everett.
In this photo, my eyes go to the light on the berries. Very nice treatment.
I looked up cluster headaches on the Mayo clinic site and cross checked with other medical sites. I presume you know all this material. I don’t know whether you’ve had the oxygen treatment. As the man said, getting old aint for sissies.
Just now several coyotes are hollering across the creek, stirring up all the dogs from the ridge to the creek bottom, and I need to go shut the windows if I am to get any work done.
Martha, I’ve never used oxygen but I’ve considered the possibility.
I envy you your coyotes.
What a beautiful photo of a beautiful little bird !!
I am sorry to hear about your headache I can’t imagine what they must feel like( I have only had migraines). I hope it’s on its way out!
Thank you, Joanne. It’ now gone.
I should have done my research before commenting, but now I think that what i called a gall is similar to the cedar-apple rust or the cedar-hawthorn rust. Each of which is indeed a fungus.
No problem, Nina. Several knowledgeable readers also think it’s a kind of rust.
Ron, Always enjoy your photography, immensely. I think the fungus you speak of may actually be a gall formed by a little insect of some sort. Not sure, though.
This is a great photo. I like the composition and colors. And the presence of the same fungus as in yesterday’s post. I am sorry you have to deal with cluster headaches. You are smart to stay away from prednisone. It’s a great drug if you really need it, but it has nasty side effects if used extensively, and as the side effects are long lasting, they are probably worse than the headaches. Hope this one doesn’t last long.
Thanks, Susan.
Yes, prednisone is both a miracle drug and a drug from hell. One of its many possible side effects is severe depression if you take too much of it for too long. A cousin of mine who took prednisone to ward off rejection after a kidney transplant developed such severe depression that they finally resorted to a week of old fashioned shock treatments. Thankfully that barbaric shock therapy eventually worked for her.
Near perfection with this photo…great colors in the background, the right amount of branch and leaves, and a great pose. The bird looks as if a spotlight is shining on him without overdoing the brightness…yes near perfection. I rarely get headaches so I can’t imagine the pain but I have seen enough people with them; the pain is visible in their eyes and nearly debilitating. I hope you get relief. Do what you must…
“The bird looks as if a spotlight is shining on him without overdoing the brightness”
Thanks for noticing that, Kathy. This species is so bright that one has to be unusually careful about proper exposure, especially with a dark setting like this.
Thankfully my cluster went away about the time I published this post. It’s amazing, I can go from pain rated 7-9 on the pain scale to no pain at all in about 15-20 seconds. When that happens it’s such a huge relief!
It is a wonderful photo of the warbler for all the reasons you list including the “whatever it is” on the one leaf;) The warblers do seem to spend a lot of time hidden or flying fast over open areas here! Everything just comes together. 🙂 Hope the cluster headache doesn’t last long – I’ve heard they make migraines sound like “candy ass business” 🙁
” I’ve heard they make migraines sound like “candy ass business”
That’s right, Judy – see my reply to Kris’s comment below.
Do you see many warblers in your area of MT? We rarely saw them on the farm but there are few trees up there.
We have a lot of yellow warblers this year – fluctuates from year to year. They like the willow brush across the creek and we have many bushes/trees in our yard.
Good. Bet you enjoy them too.
YES! 🙂 Glad the headache is gone for now…………
I think this image is just…….lovely!….. I can’t think of a more apt description. I salute you for working through the pain; folks who haven’t experienced cluster or migraine couldn’t
possibly comprehend just what an act of will that represents.
Thanks, Kris. The pain of migraines doesn’t even compare to cluster pain. Some folks get both and they’re consistent about that point. In fact just yesterday one of Mia’s Facebook friends mentioned that he was having a migraine but he was so very grateful it wasn’t a cluster headache because he gets both and the clusters are so much worse. This is from Wikipedia:
“The pain of CH attack is remarkably greater than in other headache conditions, including severe migraine. As a result of the pain, those with cluster headaches may experience suicidal thoughts during an attack (giving the alternative name “suicide headache” or “suicidal headache”). It is reported as one of the most painful conditions”.