An early dose of springtime.
Maybe a singing songbird will melt some of our snow and drive away my wintertime blues.
1/4000, 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
My time with this Yellow Warbler last summer in the Wasatch Mountains was one of my more difficult photographic challenges. The wind was blowing so even when he popped out into the open for a second or two his perch was bouncing around which made it almost impossible to keep focus locked on him. But most of the time he was partially buried in the tree so I was constantly micro-maneuvering my pickup to try to get a tunnel-view of him, usually without success.
He’s a little scruffy-looking but he had an excellent excuse for his unkempt appearance. He and his mate were feeding three demanding fledglings so he looked like he’d been through the proverbial ringer. The bit of debris on his bill contributes to his disheveled appearance.
I’m amazed he felt like singing after what he’d been through but while he was on this perch I got about a dozen shots of him in singing poses. Sadly, this was the only one that included a catch light in his eye. Notice how close the catch light is to the edge of his eye – just a slight turn of his head and it would disappear.
I don’t really think that posting a summer bird will melt our snow but at this point I’m becoming desperate and willing to try just about anything. We got more white stuff yesterday and last night so I don’t even want to look outside when the sun comes up.
Ron
Enjoyed the colour and I like Yellow Warblers We got more snow , so I relate.
Thank you for the much appreciated colourful and happy little songster. Just west of Nelson is the community of Taghum and on Taghum Pond a small patch of melted ice with a Hoodie couple sleeping in the sun. I hope this is an indication that spring will soon be here. Take care Ron, you sound like you are on the road to recovery, just itchin’ to get in your pick-up with your camera gear!
Yes, I’m itchin’, Shirley – especially to go camping. Damn snow…
Very sharp photo for a windy day. I bought vegetable seeds yesterday, so my subconscious mind must know something (I hope).
Thanks, Lyle. Yup, buying veggie seeds is one of the first signs…
Such a bright spark, and quite a contrast from the view out my window this morning. We got 4 inches of heavy wet stuff.
Haley has to drive down to Kanab this weekend I hope the roads are good.
We didn’t get as much as you did but the damn stuff is still white! And cold!
Good luck to Haley.
The essence of Spring and joy in a frame—-thanks– I needed it —it’s been a long, long, stretch of overcast skies and snow . Welcome to sun and song and golden feathers !
I’m glad you like it, Kris. And for some of the same reasons I do.
Wonderful, cheerful photo to wake up to this morning! 🙂 We have sunshine and it’s +9 but still snow everywhere…. I love the Yellow Warblers for their color and song… Occasionally one will work the window sills of our picture windows for spider webs. A few Starlings have returned and are looking for ticks or whatever on the deer – didn’t realize they had a symbiotic relationship with them! Continuing Education….. 😉 Guess they’re good for something!
“A few Starlings have returned”
Interesting, Judy. I had no idea they left your area of MT in the winter. Ours are here in huge numbers all winter – our most common winter songbird by far.
Have never seen them in winter. We only get a small number as in a dozen or so for which we are grateful………. Perhaps they break from a larger flock at that time?
In late winter there can be so many of them on my lawn I can barely see the dead grass. Literally thousands of them.
Your singing yellow warbler helps me forget we in MIchigan still have snow.
Thank you. And now I understand his disheveled appearance
Good! Thanks, Diana.
That’s a wonderful photo, and I laughed at your comment about micro-maneuvering your truck. I’ve done it, too, and am glad to know I’m not alone — being able to do so is one good reason to go to more isolated spots where such a thing is possible.
Just so you know, the swallows showed up here on Thursday: great flocks of them, chattering to one another as they flew. And the coots suddenly are gone. This morning, the mockingbird that’s wakened me at 4 a.m. for three years in a row was back at it. Spring’s coming, for sure.
A few days ago while I was at Bear River I said out loud “I wonder when the swallows will get here”. Thanks for that swallow report, Shoreacres.
I saw a report yesterday that Turkey Vultures have been spotted near St. George so they’re on their way too. There’s hope!
Nice picture Ron. Yes, with the wind and feeding the fledglings he does look a little disheveled. I think his singing is to tell you how his morning had been going so far. We have had almost record snows here and rain and all our lakes are full to overflowing with more coming. Definitely no drought this year.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thanks, Everett. Probably no drought here either but the flip side will likely be raging wildfires this summer.
Unkempt or not, he does offer a bit of sunshine! Looks like he is hanging on for dear life. Very nice photo of contrasting colors that look great. Thirty degrees and sunshine yesterday leading to another winter’s event later today and tonight. Rain, sleet, and then snow…when will it end!
At this point I’ll take any kind of sunshine I can get, Kathy.