Three years ago today, I was up in the Wasatch Mountains, focused on a bright Yellow Warbler snugly nestled in a hawthorn tree on a hillside. As I recall, there was smoke in the air that morning, which made the yellows seem brighter than normal.
Late summer Yellow Warbler in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This warbler might have been a hatch-year bird, and if so, I suspect it was a young male. I can barely discern some reddish streaks on its chest in the full-resolution image.
Yellow Warblers typically begin their fall migration around this time of year. If I plan to take more photos of this species, I’ll need to head into the mountains again very soon. Because of my extended time back east during their peak nesting season, I haven’t photographed many Yellow Warblers at all this year.
Golden Quaking Aspen leaves in late summer – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
On the same morning that I took images of the Yellow Warbler above, I also stopped to take a few photos of the golden Quaking Aspen leaves. Fall and winter start earlier in the mountains than it does in the valleys. I’d like to head up there now to take more photos of the aspens in their fall colors before winter snows start flying.
Officially, fall is just a few days away now, and it can be a very exciting time of the year. Three years ago today, I remember thinking about how wonderful autumn can be for birds, wildlife, and nature photography. And it is.
Life is golden and good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Yellow Warbler photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos.
Many thanks. I needed this beauty today.
Extraordinary…
Very nice 24K gold scene. We are at 500 feet elevation here in Connecticut and our quaking Aspen has not yet started to turn.
What a darling bird!-Jeri