Male Yellow Warbler foraging in willow catkins, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahMale Yellow Warbler foraging in willow catkins – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Before too long I expect to hear the “peep-peep” calls of Yellow Warbler chicks begging to be fed by their parents but in the meantime I am having a blast photographing the adults that I have been seeing.

Three days ago I had a male Yellow Warbler fly in and forage in the catkins of a willow that was so close that I could barely fit him in the frame. He looked like a spot of sunshine that had fallen from the sky and landed on a branch he was so bright.  I had great views of his dark eyes, the reddish streaks on his breast and all the fine details in his feathers. As close as he was to me he paid no attention to me at all and just went about the business of finding fuel to feed his tiny body for courting, mating and raising young. I was only able to take a few images of him where I could see his entire face and this is one of them.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Yellow Warbler photos plus facts and information about this species.