I was thrilled to have an immature Common Yellowthroat out in the open and in my viewfinder two days ago high in the Wasatch Mountains.
Immature Common Yellowthroat in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D810, f9, 1/250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I spotted the young Common Yellowthroat just moments after I photographed the rare Northern Waterthrush that I shared here yesterday. Although “Common” is in this warblers name I don’t see Common Yellowthroats as often as I would like to and most of the time they are either buried in vegetation or too far away to obtain high quality images of them. When this one popped into view excitement coursed through my body.
Hatch year Common Yellowthroat in a thicket – Nikon D810, f9, 1/250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Male Common Yellowthroats are flashy warblers with their dark black masks combined with a white border. Female and young Common Yellowthroats don’t have the black masks. They might even be mistaken for young Yellow Warblers at times.
Young Common Yellowthroat in bright morning light, Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D810, f9, 1/200, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I only had this Common Yellowthroat in my viewfinder for the time it took to take 22 images of it after which the warbler dove into the cover of the willows.
Immature Common Yellowthroat out in the open – Nikon D810, f9, 1/200, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Because I was paying attention to the birds in front of me I made those 22 frames count. If I hadn’t been I would have missed out on having this bird and the Northern Waterthrush in my viewfinder.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Common Yellowthroat photos plus facts and information about this species.
What a wonderful series of shots. Every pic is a stand alone – framework ready – piece of art. The composition, deep background and details are simply put…perfect. Thanks Mia.
It is nice having a variety of views. I still remember when, as a beginning birder. I was flummoxed by a female yellowthroat, even after I finally got a decent look at it. It was so non-descript that I had to hunt through the bird books for a match. My pet name for them now is “Pot-bellied Lurker.”
What a charmer. I am glad that you were on the ball. Again.