{"id":102595,"date":"2022-05-23T04:41:58","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T10:41:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?p=102595"},"modified":"2026-05-22T10:21:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T15:21:06","slug":"photographing-two-yellow-warbler-nests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2022\/05\/23\/photographing-two-yellow-warbler-nests\/","title":{"rendered":"Photographing Two Northern Yellow Warbler Nests"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FemaleFemale Northern Yellow Warbler in nest with nesting materials \u2013 Nikon D500, f7.1, 1\/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

Yesterday morning I found not one but two Northern Yellow Warbler nests high in the Wasatch Mountains because I paid attention to the movements of two female warblers.<\/p>\n

The first Northern Yellow Warbler nest I found was in a willow thicket. I saw the female Northern Yellow Warbler fly in and watched as she made her way into the thicket.<\/p>\n

When she stopped moving I scoped her with my lens and saw her on the nest. The female warbler had nesting material in her bill.<\/p>\n

Female Northern Yellow Warblers construct the nests of this species. The males do not help with nest construction but do feed the females while they incubate.<\/p>\n

\"FemaleFemale Northern Yellow Warbler in her nest \u2013 Nikon D500, f7.1, 1\/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

The area where the female Northern Yellow Warbler decided to build her nest is cluttered and messy. In just a matter of days I won’t be able to see the nest because the willow will leaf out.<\/p>\n

Despite all the branches I loved the view I had of the female Northern Yellow Warbler on her nest in the willows. I had a window between the branches through which I had a small and delightful view into this warbler’s world.<\/p>\n

I tried hard to point this nest out to a friend. They did not succeed in seeing it that day.<\/p>\n

The nest of this Northern Yellow Warbler appears to be near completion. It was a thrill to watch the warbler moving around in the nest as she formed the cup that will hold her precious eggs while she incubates them.<\/p>\n

The Second Northern Yellow Warbler Nest<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"FemaleFemale Northern Yellow Warbler building her nest \u2013 Nikon D500, f7.1, 1\/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

The second Northern Yellow Warbler nest I found yesterday was in a small hawthorn. Pointing this nest out was much, much easier.<\/p>\n

This female Northern Yellow Warbler appears to have only recently begun to build this nest. The light I had on it wasn’t as good as it was on the first nest because of large clouds floating through the sky.<\/p>\n

When I first spotted this female Northern Yellow Warbler she was in a clump of willows. When she flew to the hawthorn I tracked her with my lens and saw the fluffy, light colored materials of her nest nestled in the branches.<\/p>\n

\"FemaleFemale Northern Yellow Warbler nesting in a hawthorn \u2013 Nikon D500, f7.1, 1\/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

While I wish the light had been better when I photographed this female Northern Yellow Warbler working in her nest it was getting late in the morning and the presence of the clouds actually softened the shadows that would have been an issue.<\/p>\n

I’ve been photographing Northern Yellow Warblers in the Wasatch Mountains<\/span><\/a> for years and it felt great to find one of their nests. It felt even more amazing to find two on the same morning.<\/p>\n

Life is<\/em> good.<\/p>\n

Mia<\/p>\n

Click here<\/span><\/a> to see more of my Northern Yellow Warbler photos plus facts and information about this species.<\/p>\n

Ethics on photographing nesting birds:<\/strong><\/h2>\n