Spring Orange-crowned Warbler – Nikon D500, f10, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was happy to spot and photograph my first of season Orange-crowned Warbler yesterday morning high in the Wasatch Mountains. I was only able to get a clear view of the warbler for a few frames but I enjoyed this view of it perched in the branches of a serviceberry shrub.
I’ve found Orange-crowned Warblers to be much more difficult to see and locate than the more abundant Yellow Warblers here in northern Utah. Their coloration makes it easy for them to blend into the foliage and habitat.
Finding them is a challenge but pointing these fast moving warblers out to other people is even more so because by the time you can mouth the location the warblers have usually moved to another spot as they forage for food.
How Orange-crowned Warblers can hide in plain sight – Nikon D500, f10, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Plus Orange-crowned Warblers can hide while they are in plain sight. This was one of my first views of the Orange-crowned Warbler that I found yesterday and this image was taken at an effective focal length of 1050mm. With just my eyes these warblers can look like a leaf fluttering in a breeze.
I wish that the Orange-crowned Warbler had stuck around longer so I could have taken more photos of it as it moved around in the serviceberry shrub.
Hopefully this year I will have more opportunities to photograph these elusive warblers. I’ll be looking for them.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Orange-crowned Warbler photos plus facts and information about this species.
That is a pretty bright one! Those I have seen in New Mexico and Illinois seemed brighter than the few I have seen on migration here in south Florida.
You’re right about hiding in plain sight, Mia. Like EC, I hope you have may more opportunities with these charmers this season.
I am very happy you got that first shot of the season too. And hope for many more.