Foraging adult male Nashville Warbler – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After the inland hurricane and drastic drop in temps last week I headed up to the Wasatch Mountains on Saturday to see what birds I could find and was surprised by the numbers of Orange-crowned and Nashville Warblers that I saw. The storm had dropped some snow in the mountains but it wasn’t long-lasting and the warblers I saw were seemed absolutely intent on foraging for food. They were in pre-migration mode and that meant they were consuming as many calories as they could.
I saw a low of 31°F on my Jeep’s thermometer that morning and for the first time since spring I actually had socks and hiking boots on instead of my hiking sandals. My toes were happy I didn’t let them get chilled but as soon as I got home I shucked those boots and socks off and put my sandals back on because it was much warmer in the valley.
I parked next to a stand of willows to see what birds would come in and it wasn’t long before I was busy photographing Nashville Warblers foraging for aphids on the leaves of the trees. When this adult male came into view he ignored me and picked the aphids off the willow leaves.
Adult male Nashville Warbler on a willow branch – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was delighted with the setting, the background, pose and eye contact I had with the adult male Nashville Warbler and even though it was nearly 10:30 when I photographed him the light was still quite nice.
I’m glad I’m never in a hurry when I am out photographing birds because if I had been I would have missed out on photographing this colorful and perky male warbler.
Female/immature Nashville Warbler high up in a willow – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
A bit after 10:30 I had another Nashville Warbler in my viewfinder. With this bird I wasn’t able to determine with absolute certainty whether it was an adult female or if it was a hatch year, immature bird due to my limited experience with this species at this time of the year so I have labeled it female/immature. This Nashville Warbler spent a lot of time gleaning aphids off of the willow leaves.
After this warbler flew off I photographed a few more birds and turned my Jeep towards home but before I left the mountains I found a Rock Squirrel and photographed it on a lichen encrusted boulder and I felt that I just had to stop and get photos of it. My morning up in the mountains was quiet, relaxing, slow-paced and refreshing despite all of the weekend traffic in the high country.
Just a few weeks ago Nashville Warblers were a nemesis species for me and now I have several photos of them that I am happy with.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Nashville Warbler photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wonderful balance in your compositions. The colors and detail are perfecto. Every pic belongs in a frame. Thanks Mia.
Cool here, too…..photos are VERY COOL, pretty little birds I never knew existed…👍
One of my friends could smell the smoke here in Edmonton but it looks clear to me. A jet stream is carrying the smoke across the prairies all the way to Ontario, Canada, probably further. This is the time of year I would like to go out with an experienced birder and find the gems, such as you have. I will live vicariously through your photos which are of great quality. The heats not on in the apartment and I am cold, got to keep moving. Alas we will return to warmer weather tomorrow for a few days. There have been many sightings of flocks of Sandhill Cranes flying overhead and the geese are gathering and doing their short flights to get ready. it is a magical time of year.
Totally gorgeous photos of the aphid assassinators. I hope they survive and thrive.
And my heart breaks to know that the smoke has returned. I feel for the wildlife and their habitats so much.
No danger of a cold spell around here for awhile! 🙂
Outstanding photographs! We hope to glimpse a Nashville Warbler during migration this year. We hoped to last year. And the year before. And ……
Yup. Nemesis.
Very wonderful find. It seems we have a wide variety of warblers right now.
Beautiful shots!
Down in the upper 30’s this morning! No killing frost yet.
You are certainly having a cold spell there. Great shots of the Nashville Warbler.
Thanks Liz. The cold spell and inland hurricane was short lived and provided me with a few clear days but the smoke and the heat have returned.