Adult Male Yellow Warbler Photo

Adult Male Yellow Warbler perched in morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

This adult male Yellow Warbler photo taken in the Wasatch Mountains a few years ago reminds me that any day now I could see and hear these bright yellow birds.

Sure, we have had some snow this past week in Utah along with cold temperatures but Yellow Warblers are most assuredly on the wing and heading towards me on spring migration.

I have missed seeing these brightly colored warblers over the winter and I am longing to hear their songs and calls.

During the spring here in northern Utah I find these warblers in areas where there are willows, streams, and thickets primarily in the mountains. I love driving through mountainous canyons while listening to their songs. Even if my day started off on sour note their nearly continuous singing during the spring simply makes me smile.

This eBird screen shot of a bar chart indicates when Yellow Warblers are expected to be seen here in Utah. The chart shows that during the last week of March that they start to move into the state.

Photographing Yellow Warblers is frequently challenging because they never seem to stay still for very long and when they do I had better be ready to take photos of them. I often have great opportunities during the spring when the males are singing on their territory because they are attempting to attract a mate and will be out in the open more regularly than they are later in their breeding season.

Even when I am unable to take high quality images of Yellow Warblers being in the field with them is a visual and auditory delight that I relish.

Life is good.

Mia

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