A little splash of color and a pretty song in an otherwise dreary week.
Because of persistent overcast and rain the last time I went shooting was five days ago so I’m really growing weary of all the dampness and gray skies. But on that day we had a brief break in the gloominess so I headed for the mountains and even found some birds. Few of them were close but I still got some shots I like.
1/1250, f/5.6, 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
This male Yellow-rumped Warbler was one of them. He was singing in a flowering Wax Currant bush and I’ll take a pretty bird in a pretty setting any ol’ day. For some reason (probably all the twigs near the bird) I was having a difficult time locking onto him but I did get a few singing poses where he was sharp or sharp enough. I wish we could see his namesake “butterbutt” but I still like the image despite a busy background at upper left and a bright white branch behind his rump.
I did get a potentially very nice flight shot of one of these warblers but they were in low light and at these shutter speeds I knew that shot would be soft even before looking at it on my screen. It was.
I’ve lived in northern Utah for 52 years and I don’t remember a spring as wet and gloomy as this one.
And to think I thought we lived in a desert…
Ron
Beautiful shot. They stayed around our area a little longer then usual this year. They will be back in the Fall, along with the White Crowned Sparrows.
Pretty shot.
This is such a pretty shot…a real “spring is really here!!!” Shot…
Glad you like it, Patty. Thanks.
We had some blissful rain overnight, and I am hoping for more today. Really hoping.
I really, really like your singing sunshine though.
EC, I’ll send you a little rain if you’ll return the favor with some of your sunshine. Seems to me we both could use a little moderation…
Lol…. you need the rain anyway. Your warbler is beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Shelley.
Very nice. I wish I saw more of these where I live. I rarely see them. Maybe it is time for another trip with the new camper, get out of the rain. It is beautiful in St George. I haven’t been out birding yet, just exploring new canyons and less traveled gravel roads.
It’s past time for another trip with the new trailer, April. Weather’s the cause of that. Just bought new tires for the pickup today ((got 70K miles out of the old ones) so I’m rarin’ to go.
A pretty little guy. His bright yellow reminds me of a thing we call the sun❗️ We haven’t seen it a lot lately either. We’ll be skiing at Lake Tahoe until August😃
Have a good day
I heard you had a lot of snow but skiing till August is still pretty impressive.
Very nice shot of a common but beautiful bird!
Same here – today is the first in a while with some sun and blue sky (AM).
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Dick.
Wonderful photograph! A couple of weeks ago, Mother Nature flipped that switch and we went from seeing dozens of Yellow-rumped Warblers on each outing to zero. Sadness ensued.
Thank you for sharing this beauty!
Hopefully, your wet spring will produce good results for summer wildlife. (Not to mention for wildlife photographers!)
It sure doesn’t take long for many of them to leave. Yes, I’m at least hoping that all this moisture will be good for birds. And for us photogs…
Ron,
A lovely spot of color. At least today has a little sun. It has been dreary around here lately and I agree with you: the spring has been a bit odd. Honestly it makes me not feel quite as bad to have to go to work.
I had a couple of these little singers in my backyard over the last month. I was shocked. Have a nice holiday weekend.
Stephen
We finally had some sun this morning, Stephen. Found a few birds too, though most of them weren’t very close.
Great shot Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
What a charmer! Your shot has wonderful feather detail and really shows off all the different colors in this butterbutt. 🙂
We have rain and cooler temps in the works for tomorrow, but mid to upper 80s later in the week. Personally, I’m a fan of cooler weather, but then I’m not out in the world with a camera.
Marty, I don’t mind cool at all, as long as it comes with sun.
Wet and gloomy your spring may be but you certainly managed to snatch a nice bit of brightness with this photo. One assumes the Yellow-rumped Warbler is catching up on currant affairs.
“catching up on currant affairs”
You’re baaaaad, Lyle…
Beautiful little bird Ron……… 🙂 The yellow REALLy sparks against the greyer background and, I’m sure, his song was lovely. 🙂 We could use some of the rain tho not the “gloom” I don’t do well with that…… 🙁 Nice article by Mia in Outdoor Photographer this month on Bear River. 🙂 “Advertising” a special place is a mixed blessing…. 😉
Thanks, Judy. A mixed blessing for sure.
Beautiful photo Ron. These Warblers are very photogenic with that bold yellow/gold against the silvery gray. Very nice. Yes, we are finally getting some bright warm days after what seems to be our wettest spring in ages. Oh, and yes the background seems perfect with his colors.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Everett, I think this species is the most attractive of the warblers I regularly photograph. Thank you.
His singing makes for a great picture this a.m! They do provide a bit of much needed sunshine. With the leaves expanding more it is difficult to keep a lock on these fast little ones! Lately I’ve been getting more photos of leaves or blurs especially if there is a slight breeze or if the bugs are plentiful for these birds. Ditto on the weather…rain all night again. I feel for my neighboring farmers trying to get the fields plowed much less planted! And we have heavy clay soils in this area of WI.
Thanks, Kathy. Farmers have it tough when it comes to weather. I know that from experience.
Such a nice way to start my morning. Wet and damp here in CNY with more on the way. Thanks Ron
Thank you, Sarah. Maybe we should grow gills…