Carolina Wren’s have been a tough bird for me to capture. This one surprised me when he chose a nice open branch for a few moments.
After foraging in the grass for a bit the wren took to the trees again, landing in a sunny spot.
Carolina Wren
Category Archives: Songbirds
Eastern Bluebird
Looking dapper, an Eastern Bluebird caught my eye on as he foraged on a mowed lawn. Before I could get him in focus he flew up to a nice perch in a Crepe Myrtle that hasn’t yet leafed out giving me a clear view.
Good Morning, Common Yellowthroat
This Common Yellowthroat Warbler was a cheery sight on a recent cool morning.
Tufted Titmouse
You looking at me?
The Tufted Titmouse is a perky bird that I haven’t seen much of in South Carolina. This one was flitting along a tree line at the edge of the swamp.
He paused for about 30 seconds allowing me a brief photo-shoot.
Swamp Sparrow on Cattail
I heard him just as I stepped to the edge of the pond near a stand of Cattails. He saw me, but surprisingly didn’t bolt.
He looked around and assessed the situation.
A quick shift of position provided a capture that shows off his beautiful reddish-brown wings.
Good by!
Yellow-rumped Warbler
This Yellow-rumped Warbler, also known as “Butter Butt” paused as he was looking for snacks along the tree line of the rice field dike.
The warblers tend to be fast and elusive, usually working the inner branches as they move along a tree line.
It’s always a treat when they turn towards the camera, even though this is not the Butter Butt’s most colorful side.
Eastern Phoebe
An Eastern Phoebe flew up from the brush around the marsh edge and paused on this reed stalk.
I tried re-positioning myself to capture the bird with a sky background, but it was not to be as the Phoebe had other plans.
Pine Warbler On the Ground
Pine Warblers usually stick to the trees but this colorful fellow was zipping around on the ground chasing insects.
These were taken at Charleston’s Magnolia Cemetery, which is a haven for small birds. There are lots of trees for shelter and the grounds are only minimally kept up and harbor insects of all sorts. Many of the plots are bordered with granite edging which helps these small birds trap lunch.
Swamp Sparrow on a Reed
Swamp Sparrows are elusive and quick. Their non-breeding colors are not flashy and help them hide as they hunt along the marsh edge.
If you are fortunate enough to see one land, he might hold still long enough for a photo.
This one actually flipped direction giving me both a left and right profile. The reed foliage is drying up, giving more spotting opportunities than a month ago.
Palm Warbler
I had been watching some small birds flit in and out of the underbrush at the side of the road. The sun had just come up and they were hunting for breakfast in the lowest, darkest parts of the vegetation. This Palm Warbler finally took a break in the sun on a reed frond.
I was able to get a few steps closer and get a few images at a different angle before he went back to foraging.
