Wilson's Warbler

Expecting rain this weekend, I headed out to Carlos late Friday afternoon.

It just seemed appropriate to take a shot of Tree Swallows in a tree.

Blue-winged Teal

Ring-necked Ducks

I liked this shot because you can see (somewhat) the brownish/reddish ring which, despite the duck's name, usually is not visible.

I was excited to run into this Wilson's Warbler, hence the name for this post. I did not have any photos of one. These aren't the best, but they will have to do for my first.

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a few more pix from Springbrook

last Thursday the geese were still on their nests

but the new ducklings were out

mama looks happy

the ducklings look hungry

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yesterday's birds at Springbrook

early-morning Red-winged Blackbird

my first Catbird of the year

Palm Warbler

I've never gotten a decent photo of a Veery -- so I had to give you two of them.

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Oh, deer!

This morning at Springbrook.

You should see what she can do to Stargazers!

Is she flirting

with me?

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more from last Monday at Springbrook

If you arrive at Springbrook around sunrise, the odds are very good that you will see a deer -- or two -- or three. If you don't, the deer are probably watching you.

There is also no shortage of bunnies.

One of my favorites this Spring, the Palm Warbler.

"Didn't your mother tell you not to chew your food with your bill open?"

"Mirror, mirror, ..."

My next project may be to get some decent pictures of the swallows in flight. I discovered quickly that my 300mm lens is too long (that's what was used in the above shot). I'm going to try my 70-200mm zoom next. The f2.8 on this lens should also help.

This Yellow-rumped Warbler looks too much like he's posing for a field guide. I like the next shot better.

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help ID this bird

My first guess was an Eastern Wood-Pewee, but they don't have eye rings.
Any thoughts? Acadian, Alder, or Yellow-bellied Flycatcher?
The pictures were taken last Monday at Springbrook.
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it ain't just butter-butts (Yellow-rumped Warblers)

After my fiasco at Carlos Avery in March, I was in no hurry to get back there. Also, the Refuge closed the roads for a while, as they usually do until the frost goes out. When I couldn't get a hold of the folks at Carlos to see if they were open, I emailed Craig of Craig's Birds since he lives near there and visits frequently to take excellent photos of the wildlife. He assured me I could get through. Encouraged, I headed out last Wednesday. Craig was right; there were only a couple of spots like the one pictured below -- and they could easily be avoided.

My first turtles of the year.

The first bird to welcome me was this Mourning Dove.

What really excited me was the call of this Sandhill Crane. But why was he taking off?

It was in answer to a call from the one above. They flew off together. I wonder if they will nest at Carlos -- or head further up north?

I'm not very good at shore birds. (That's why I've signed up for my second shore-bird seminar this August.) Lesser Yellowlegs, maybe?

Of course, the Bald Eagles were present -- in trees ...

... and high in the air.

The highlight of the day for me, however, was this Palm Warbler. This one is for you, Jeff.

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Yellow-rumped Warblers -- II

These photos were taken at Carlos Avery last Wednesday.

"Why can't I be the State bird?"

"I can't sit still in one place very long."

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Yellow-rumped Warblers -- I

This is a selection of photos made at Springbrook earlier this week.

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part II to come