Yellow Warbler with a moth in its bill – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Two days ago near a creek in the Wasatch Mountains I took the funniest Yellow Warbler photo I have ever taken in all the years that I have been photographing birds.
I was photographing the Yellow Warbler while it foraged in a River Hawthorn not far from the bank of a creek when it dropped down through the branches, leaves and berries as if it were a rock. I quickly tried to spot the warbler again through my viewfinder and when I found it perched on a branch near ground level I started laughing out loud almost immediately because the Yellow Warbler appeared to have a small moth plastered on its face.
I laughed so hard that the images following this one were not quite as sharp due to operator camera shake. I should have waited to laugh until I was finished photographing this Yellow Warbler but I couldn’t help myself. I’m happy I got this one sharp image though and it was actually the best in the series because after this photo was taken the warbler turned its head and then its body on the small branch so that it was looking more away from me than towards me.
I don’t know if the warbler found the moth in the hawthorn or if it saw it down below where it was perched and dove to get it because the action happened that fast.
What I do know is that seeing the moth stuck in the warbler’s bill with its wings fully spread gave me a laughing session I really needed that morning. Anyone walking or driving by would have thought that the woman in the silver Jeep laughing loudly next to a creek with a long lens sticking out of the window in the high Wasatch Mountains had lost her mind.
Perhaps as a photographer I did for a few moments because I know without a doubt that movement while photographing can ruin images.
And to add to the humor the scientific name for Yellow Warblers is Setophaga petechia, setophaga is Greek and it means “moth-eater” and I think this photo captures the essence for the first part of the scientific name in a humorous and educational way.
Just in case you were wondering the moth was quickly consumed.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Yellow Warbler photos plus facts and information about this species.
P.S., I haven’t identified the species of the poor moth yet.
It looks like an unruly mustache!
Sign of the times! Even birds need masks.
A mustachioed warbler! 😄
I often do mad woman with camera dances so I can attest to the movement/good photo issues. How I wish I had a fraction of your success.
Thanks for this – which has me smiling broadly despite the death of one of the subjects.
I am happy you had such an enjoyable morning. Pleasure in simple things is often the what makes life great.
Once again, a great start to my day.
That is a cute picture. But please, do show us pictures that are not perfect. In this case a somewhat blurry picture of the warbler with it’s wings spread and the moth plastered on its face would be humerus to us also. Never feel that we would judge you for a less than absolutely perfect photo. We enjoy your pictures so very much, a funny picture is more than welcome! Have a good weekend, here is to a good weekend! 😃🐦💖
Love it! It looks like somebody tied a light brown fuzzy bow to its beak. Good catch….for both of you.