Tennessee Warblers Stunning in Understatement

I never noted the Tennessee Warblers in past years.  They are so subtle that they could go unnoticed. They are most gray with hint of yellow and a strong line through the eye.  Female more muted without yellow.  This year they stayed around very visible for a few days and could not ignored. One of the few Warblers species that fly and bath together.   

Canada, Wilson and Yellow Warbler

Here are three most yellow Warblers with a few accents to make them different.  A Wilson Warbler wears a black cap while the Yellow Warbler has red strips for camouflage. The Canada has a black necklace with the female's much paler.  The bright sunlight and new green oak leaves do provide some cover. Best shots are in the water feature while waiting to drink or bath.

Canada Male (Gunnar's photo)

Wilson's Warblers                                           

Yellow Warblers hiding

Mother's Day Warblers: Blackpoll and Bay-Breasted

Warblers were slow in coming this spring.  But on May 14, after our walk to White's Woods a Bay-breasted showed up near our water feature. The walk, a bust for Warblers but It was a pleasant family walk with a happy hunting dog wandering free.  We all finally spotted a Rose-breasted Grosbeak that was singing loudly.  A Blackpoll showed up later in the afternoon. Swainson's Thrushes were plentiful for about a week in the trees and on the ground. 

Blackpoll Warbler 

Swainson's Thrush above

Bay-breasted Warbler

Scarlet Tanager, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Red-breasted Nuthatch

It is hard to ignore a Scarlet Tanager or a photo bombing Nuthatch.  The male is so bright red it almost hurts your eyes. Flycatchers on the other hand are very subtle but a rare sighting.   I Love Spring!

Goldfinch and White-throated Sparrows, Gone

A week ago we could not keep seed in our feeder because dozens of Goldfinch emptied it so quickly.  Their songs were so load almost too to have our windows open.  The White-throated Sparrows would eat from the ground but came to the feeder also.  The Red-breasted Nuthatch came and went for four days.  Now they are gone and replaced temporarily by the Warblers.  The finches will be back.                       (photos - May 10th)

                                                                           Goldfinch  immature above

Red-breasted Nuthatch 

Black & White Warbler & Red-breasted Nuthatch

Birding the last days is in our backyard as usual. The Yellow-rumped Warblers are still around but were joined by a few Black and White Warblers I got a glimpse of a Bay-breasted and a Magnolia Warbler.   Gunnar saw a Commonthroat yesterday and today.  We are waiting patiently for more Warblers.  They will come.  But The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a delight to have a close for a few days.  It is so delicate in comparison to the White-breasted Nuthatch. 

                                   It is getting harder to see the migrating birds since the                                     Oak catkins and leaves that are so beautifully opening.  

Black and White Warblers are most often seen on the trunks of large trees.  It was a treat seeing it so close in the bird bath.

Red-breasted Nuthatch 

Backyard Birds Finches and Wrens

Waiting for the Warblers so we are looking at our backyard birds that stay the seasons. The House Wren was checking out our Wren houses a couple of weeks ago.  The Housefinches and Goldfiches were finding food in the Bur Oaks and Elm today as will the Warblers in the next few days. We are so fortunate to live in the Oak trees especially in the spring.  They attract the birds and they are beautiful when leaving out. There is one photo of a Yellow-rumped Warbler.  Seems like there are just a few after having many in the last weeks.