Male Yellow Warblers Singing, Eating And Looking Around

Male Yellow Warbler singing on an old branch – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Spending time photographing Yellow Warblers can try the patience of even the most patient photographer because they are so flighty, small and move quickly but it can also be rewarding when you get photos that you like. Yesterday morning I spent quite a bit of time trying to photograph these lemony yellow wood-warblers while they foraged for prey, sang, perched, moved around in the bushes and of the hundreds of images that I took only a few passed my muster and delighted me.

When this male Yellow Warbler came out into the open to sing on an old branch I was able to get him in focus and take a series of photos before he flew off.

Male Yellow Warbler with prey in his bill – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

And when one of the males came in close and foraged for prey I was able to get one or two images of him that I liked and this one with the prey in mid air between his bill delighted me. I believe the prey is a tiny caterpillar of some kind. I “could” wish that the out of focus leaves weren’t in the frame but I am happy to have gotten this image at all.

Yellow Warbler male close up – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Then another male Yellow Warbler, or maybe even the same bird, came in even closer and perched on a branch while looking around the shrub it had perched on. He surprised me and I didn’t take the time to adjust my aperture so not all of the bird is sharp or completely in focus but when I look at its sweet yellow face I can’t help but smile.

These Yellow Warbler photos make me happy and that matters.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Yellow Warbler photos plus facts and information about this species.