Yellow Warbler And A Hawthorn

Yellow Warbler foraging in a hawthorn near a creek – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Last week while I was up in the Wasatch Mountains I photographed several Yellow Warblers including the bird that had a moth in its bill that I shared here a few days ago.  The location where I photographed this warbler is near a creek and the sound of the water gurgling over the rocks in the creek bed can be relaxing and soothing. As I recall I really felt like I needed to relax that morning.

The Yellow Warblers I photographed that morning were flitting about in the prettiest looking hawthorn in the area with a creek and a grassy hillside behind it. The leaves of the hawthorn are healthy and the abundant bright red berries add a pop of color to its branches.

When this Yellow Warbler popped out into the open and landed on a branch in front the leaves of the hawthorn in the morning light I was ready to take photos of it. I believe the lichen covered branch the warbler is perched on is the still standing remains of a dead sagebrush.

Yellow Warbler perched in front of a hawthorn – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I was glad that this Yellow Warbler moved its head and body slightly on the branch which gave me a few different poses while I photographed it.

There were a few male Yellow Warblers across the creek that were still singing but the birds I photographed were mostly silent and intent on finding food.

These bright Yellow Warblers are getting ready for their long, fall migrations and while I am happy to see that they seem to have had a successful breeding season it also felt a touch bittersweet to me. I know I will see the last of them for this season very soon.

Life is good. Stay safe.

Mia

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