White-eyed Vireos are small {0.3-0.5 oz (10-14 g)} song birds that are usually difficult to spot due to their preferred habitat of thickets and scrubby trees. I could hear this one singing just in front of me on a narrow path and was surprised to see him on an open branch.
And when he flew I could still see him!
Although White-eyed Vireo was my first thought, I used the Merlin Bird ID app to verify the ID.
This branch is part of a dead tree that has fallen over the edge of a pond. Various birds find it a great place to survey the area, including this female Red-winged Blackbird.
In wondered if it was a juvenile as she was having trouble keeping her balance.
And fluffed up a bit like a young bird does.
Then she announced to the world she had a grip and immediately flew off.
I returned to Beidler Forrest one morning this week hoping for another opportunity to see a Prothonotary Warbler or two. I did hear a few high in the tree tops but mostly they eluded me. The promised sun did not materialize, keeping the forest dark.
I did capture this one as it was returning to its nest, which the center staff pointed me to. The nest is down inside that Cypress knee. After a moment the adult dropped into the nest and stayed put for at least the next twenty minutes, likely laying on eggs.
May 7, 2019.
The Prothonotary Warblers have returned to my area. Often you hear them before seeing them, even with this brilliant yellow.
These images were taken at Beidler Forest which has many of the features these warblers like: tree cavities for nesting, damp forest floor, dense undergrowth and both standing and slow moving water.
As I was leaving for the day one final Prothonotary Warbler crossed my path and perched on an open, if dimly lit, branch for a few moments.
This small warbler caught my eye as I walked a path through a wooded area. He flitted along ahead of me, in and out of the sun patches, finally pausing in a fairly open spot for a few images.
I had to look him up for ID and found that it is a Northern Parula, which are known for spending their time in the tree canopy, not down close to the ground. When he left this spot he did fly up and I didn’t get another good view of him.
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.
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.
This Common Yellowthroat Warbler was a cheery sight on a recent cool morning.
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.
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!
