Nashville Warbler at the top of a willow, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahNashville Warbler at the top of a willow – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I was “over the moon” excited when I spotted an adult male Nashville Warbler out in the open at the top of a willow yesterday while up in the Wasatch Mountains. I’ve seen these warblers in the mountains before but they have almost always been nearly hidden from view or they took off so fast that I didn’t get images of them and the few photos I have taken of this species haven’t been worth sharing. They’ve been a mess.

I’ve had Nashville Warblers on my nemesis bird list because getting clear photos of them have have eluded me.

My finding this warbler happened after being frustrated by a Gray Catbird I couldn’t photograph because it was behind a bunch of branches and leaves so I continued to scan the willows in front of me and this bright male warbler popped into my view.

At first he had a branch across his chest and I hoped he’d hop to the branch he is shown on here. When he did I took a long burst of images of him.

Adult Nashville Warbler male perched in a willow, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahAdult Nashville Warbler male perched in a willow – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The willows and other trees and shrubs even in the high country are showing the effects of a very dry summer because their leaves are turning yellow and dropping off. Those yellow leaves have been making finding birds with yellow plumage more and more challenging but they usually don’t escape my eyes.

Having this Nashville Warbler out in the open at the top of a willow was a wish come true for me. How could I not be excited?

Male Nashville Warbler with aphids on his bill, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahMale Nashville Warbler with aphids on his bill – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Nashville Warblers feed on insects and this willow had leaves covered with aphids. In this photo there are a few aphids stuck to his bill. Aphids excrete honeydew and I can tell you from experience that the honeydew is nearly as sticky as glue so it is no surprise to me when a few aphids get stuck on the bills of my subjects.

Male Nashville Warbler foraging for aphids, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahMale Nashville Warbler foraging for aphids – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The aphids were on both sides of the leaves and the small warbler was busy picking them off and eating them as I photographed him stretching way out on the thin branch of the willow.

Male Nashville Warbler foraging for aphids - With insetMale Nashville Warbler foraging for aphids – With inset

I’ve outlined some of the aphids on the side of one willow leaf that was facing towards me in the inset of this photo. Aphids can provide protein for birds getting ready to migrate.

Nashville Warbler male about to take flight, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahNashville Warbler male about to take flight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

This last photo of the male Nashville Warbler shows one tiny aphid stuck to his bill just before he flew away.

Spotting this Nashville Warbler made my trip into the mountains even better than it was because I finally have photos of this species that I am happy with. I can take this species off of my “nemesis” list now.

Life is good. Stay safe.

Mia

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