Warbling Vireo peeking out of willows – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I heard this Warbling Vireo calling in September before I saw it and then saw movement in the lower branches of a willow next to a creek in the Wasatch Mountains. I didn’t need another clue to know that a Warbling Vireo was in the willow. I caught a glimpse of its face nearly hidden by the leaves and then waited to see if it would come out into the open.
By the time I was asked “what is it?” the answer didn’t require a second thought.
When it did come out into the open I was ready and took a nice series of photos of it while it looked around from its perch.
Warbling Vireo in late September – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Knowing the calls and songs of birds helps me to locate them. It helped me locate where this Warbling Vireo was in the willow and with where it was going to pop into my view. It is a bit like playing “Marco Polo” but I’m attempting to locate the birds by their calls not humans in a pool while I have my eyes closed.
Warbling Vireo perched on a willow branch – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This Warbling Vireo wasn’t the last vireo I saw before they migrated but it was the last one where I was able to take photos of this species out in the open this year. I haven’t seen or heard any Warbling Vireos in a bit more than a week now so most of them have probably headed to warmer climes to enjoy the winter.
I’ll miss their calls and songs and watching them move around in the trees.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Warbling Vireo photos plus facts and information about this species.
I love the detail and definition of the WV and willow branch set against the muted background. Thanks Mia.
I love that you make use of your ears as well as your eagle eyes.
Thank you for this charmer.
I like this one’s song, but it is good to know all ,or some of the sounds they make, as you have mentioned , so you can be alerted to their presence. Nice sunny photos.