Western Warbling-Vireo perched on a willow branch – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I drove up into the Wasatch Mountains yesterday morning hoping to find a few birds to photograph. One of the first surprises was seeing what appeared to be a Ruffed Grouse flying low across the road.
I wasn’t able to photograph the grouse because it disappeared into the gully below quickly and I couldn’t pull over to check it out because there isn’t a shoulder on that section of the road. Now I know to keep an eye out for Ruffed Grouse in that location.
The other surprise was a Western Warbling-Vireo that I photographed. The surprise wasn’t seeing a vireo, I have been seeing them and have hoped to get some photographs but they are usually hidden behind leaves and branches.
Western Warbling-Vireo in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The surprise for me was that the Western Warbling-Vireo decided to perch out in the open with a fairly clean background and that it stayed there for almost a minute.
Having a vireo in plain view doesn’t happen to me often so I took photo after photo of this cooperative and interesting bird.
Western Warbling-Vireo perched on a vertical branch – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was thoroughly delighted to have this Western Warbling-Vireo in my viewfinder yesterday morning in the mountains and to be able to add a few more images of this species to my galleries.
I also saw and chatted with my friend David Eccles for a bit. It was nice to see his friendly face.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Western Warbling-Vireo photos plus facts and information about this species.
I know I say it all the time….but your compositions – along with the colors and detail you capture – are flat-out amazing. Thanks Mia.
Lovely bird! Its eye looks almost human, to me.
What a subtle charmer. I am glad that it decided to be co-operative (which is not a given where birds are concerned).
Another beautiful start to my day, Mia. Was that Dave Eccles from Daybreak in South Jordan?
Michael, David isn’t from Daybreak in South Jordan.
Subtle beauty! I have seen so many grouse this year, must have been a good year for them.
Great shots!