Young MacGillivray’s Warbler in bright sunlight – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday morning I was delighted to take a nice series of young MacGillivray’s Warbler images not long after the sun lit up the willow thicket it was foraging in.
Immature MacGillivray’s Warbler in a willow thicket – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/320, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The obvious gape, pale gray head, plus the light gray colored throat and upper breast are how I determined that this is a hatch year MacGillivray’s Warbler.
Perky young MacGillivray’s Warbler – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Unless this young warbler was in an expert’s hands is would be nearly impossible to determine its gender at this age from my photos.
After this image was taken the immature MacGillivray’s Warbler moved behind a leafy branch and preened for a few minutes. I kept my eyes on the bright yellow of its belly and hoped it would move back out into the open. I even pleaded with it to move a little higher up the branch out loud.
Immature MacGillivray’s Warbler out in the open – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
To my amazement the young warbler did move back out into the open and I took quite a few images of gray and yellow fluff ball on an old willow branch.
Fluffy young MacGillivray’s Warbler – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I really liked how fluffy the immature warbler looked in this photo.
Saucy looking immature MacGillivray’s Warbler – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And how saucy it looked in this image. Soon after this photo was taken the young MacGillivray’s took off.
Immature MacGillivray’s Warbler on an old branch – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The immature MacGillivray’s landed on a willow to my south on a branch that was also out in the open. I took a few more photos of it there before it took off and flew out of my sight. I saw more MacGillivray’s Warblers yesterday but none of them gave me the great views that this one did.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my MacGillivray’s Warbler photos plus facts and information about this species.
What a spectacular series of pics! The background perfectly frames and enhances the detail in the Warbler’s feathers. Thanks Mia.
What an absolute charmer. Thank you (and the bird).
I really appreciate the time and expertise you devote to your photography and sharing!
It is a very beautiful bird. I like the fluffed up look in birds too.