This Rusty Blackbird blended into the background but as he twisted around poking in the stream his understated color scheme showed off a bit. A nearby maple tree had dropped a few turned leaves for a hint of color in the scene.
Rusty Blackbird Peeking in Blackman StreamRusty Blackbird Peeking in Blackman StreamRusty Blackbird Peeking in Blackman StreamRusty Blackbird Peeking in Blackman Stream
On my recent trip to Maine I was amazed to witness some warbler migration. I grew up near where these were taken and don’t remember ever seeing anything like the hundreds of birds I saw in the vicinity including a variety of warblers and finches.
Palm Warbler
The mowed lawn seen above was backed by a field of “weeds” that were bursting with all sorts of seeds and flying insects–a song bird buffet.
What to choose for my next snack?
I had not taken my long lens on this trip and could not get close enough to most of them with the 18-200mm; this one fellow seemed a bit more curious.
I had seen this Palm Warbler skittering ahead of me down the trail and given up hope of photographing it in the thick underbrush. Then he landed in this dead tree.
Palm Warbler
He looked around…
Palm Warbler
Staying put for about 3 seconds in the spread leg position…
Palm Warbler
Then he was off…
Palm Warbler
The last I saw of him before he flew back into the undergrowth.
Palm Warbler
ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
September 16, 2022
A Palm Warbler was doing his thing in the lower vegetation at the side of a swamp.
Palm Warbler
As you may know, warblers of all sorts are speedy and are mostly photographed exiting the spot you noticed him. Fortunately for me, this one’s curiosity slowed him down.
Palm Warbler
Then he gave me a jaunty pose.
Palm Warbler
He heard something, gave it another look, then dove into the underbrush.
Palm Warbler
ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App
Magnolia’s Audubon Swamp, Charleston, SC
October 18, 2021
Redstarts are part of the fall warbler migration through South Carolina and this is the first year I’ve gotten more than a glimpse of one of these speedy songbirds.
Female American Redstart
This one landed right in front of me when I was standing on a short bridge over a pond outlet late one recent afternoon. She then dropped to the ground so that I was looking down on her at the water level.
Female American Redstart
She proceeded to splash around in the water which was in the dark shade of the bridge, flashing her colored tail feathers.
I’ve checked back on the White-eyed Vireo nest from my June 15th post a few times, and about a week later got a similar image, without the rain.
White-eyed Vireo on Nest, June 18
Two weeks later, the nest was empty. Could chicks have hatched and fledged in that short time? All About Birds says their nestling period is 9 – 11 days, so yes it is possible.
Vireo Nest, Now Empty
Once I was sure there were no birds in the nest I got closer for a side view. Although a bit shabby looking at the bottom, what an engineering marvel this nest was.
Vireo Nest, Now Empty, July 3
Also from All About Birds:
Males and females build a pendulous nest suspended from a Y-shaped fork. They collect insect silk and spiderweb and attach it to the fork until it makes a lacy shell. They then stick leaves, bark, plant fibers, rootlets, and bits of paper to the spiderweb shell. They also stick lichens, moss, or leaves to the outside for additional camouflage. The female lines the nest with rootlets, fine grass, or hair. It takes the pair around 3–5 days to complete the nest.
The Prothonotary Warblers have returned to my area. Often you hear them before seeing them, even with this brilliant yellow.
Prothonotary Warbler
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.
Prothonotary Warbler
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.