First of year Yellow Warbler – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’ve been catching glimpses of gold in the Wasatch Mountains but not the metal stuff that so many are fond of, no, I am talking about the fluffy, feathered gold that I love so much. On one of my journeys into the mountains last week I thought I had gotten a great first of year Yellow Warbler photo only to get home and discover that there was an out of focus branch running right through the face of the warbler that ruined the image for me.
On my second trip up into the mountains last week I was focused on a Barn Swallow perched in bushes near a creek when I caught a bit of movement in the bushes below the swallow and spotted this Yellow Warbler. I quickly moved my lens, focused on the warbler flitting in the base of the willows near the creek and attempted to get a few decent images of the Yellow Warbler as it foraged. These little dynamos are never easy to get out in the open and not moving. I managed to get a few sharp photos of the Yellow Warbler out in the open perched on a branch neat the banks of the creek. I’m not sure I like the specular highlights caused by water droplets on the vegetation at the bottom of the frame but they showed up in the frame so I left them there.
I’m excited to be seeing more and more migrants arriving. How could I not be?
I also caught a glimpse of my friend Mark Stackhouse up in the mountains but I didn’t catch his attention when I waved to him as he drove by with a group of birders he is guiding through Utah. Next time Mark!
Life is good.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you great moms!
Mia
Click here to see more of my Yellow Warbler photos plus facts and information about this species.
I went for a walk in our river valley today and didn’t hear a peep, or should I say, warble. Any day now I expect their arrival, nice to see your photo of the female. Enjoy the birding!
LOVE that splash of gold. Soooo much more valuable than the metal.
Very Nice. Happy Mother’s day. I hope you are out in the wild enjoying the morning, it’s a beaut!
I’ll take YW over Au any old day! 🙂
Happy Mothers’ Day!
There’s gold in them thar hills…of the best kind…I love these little guys, as friendly as chickadees in the mountains…realnspirit boosters…
I saw my FOY Yellow Warbler yesterday. Happy Mother’s Day to you too.
Beautiful image – Happy Mothers Day Mia, enjoy the day!!
Aww, what a cutie that little golden Warbler is. Happy mother’s day to you also Mia. I enjoy every mornings photo, always starts my day off with a smile, thank you Mia.