Female Yellow Warbler perched in sage – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I don’t see Yellow Warblers foraging in sage very often so I was thrilled to photograph an adult female as she poked around a clump of sagebrush in the Wasatch Mountains yesterday. I noticed a small warbler fly into the the sage and stopped to identify the species and then saw her moving around in the fragrant leaves searching for prey.
I know that some Yellow Warbler chicks here in northern Utah have hatched already because at other locations I’ve seen both males and females bringing in food to a few nests and in those locations I can hear the weak, thready calls of nestlings.
Female Yellow Warbler with an open bill – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Although sage isn’t a bush I normally see Yellow Warblers foraging in the location of this clump of sage is probably within 50 yards of habitat I do expect to find them in because down the slope behind the sage it very quickly becomes riparian habitat since there is a creek that meanders through the canyon.
What I can’t be sure of is whether the female Yellow Warbler was foraging for herself or for chicks she might have had nearby.
In this photo the female warbler has her bill open and just above the sagebrush leaf behind her bill her tongue is visible.
Yellow Warbler female foraging in sage – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The female Yellow Warbler moved very quickly in the sage. I felt lucky when I was able to lock focus and take a few photos of her out in the open before she moved to another part of the bush.
Not long after these photos were taken she flew to another area of the hillside where I lost sight of her. She wasn’t the only bright spot of my time in the mountains because it was pretty birdy up there yesterday morning.
Happy Summer Solstice!
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Yellow Warbler photos plus facts and information about this species.
The subdued colour suits her and the environment. Happy Solstice!
I am welcoming our winter solstice.
Love the subtle harmony of her colours and that of the sage, and am very glad to hear that you had a birdy morning. Here’s to many more.
Happy Solstice to you as well, Mia! This series seems like such an intimate look at her life. I feel like I’m right there with her.
You obtained lovely images. I like the contrast between the bright warbler and the subdued sage, a sort of monochrome effect.
Lovely colors. such nice photos of a splash of yellow in the form of an endearing bird.