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.
ID by Merlin Bird ID app
Bradley, ME
October 1, 2022
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.
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.
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.
This particular bird is much more colorful than the Palm Warbler I had photographed a few days before in Charleston, SC.
ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App
Penobscot County, Maine
September 16, 2022
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.
He looked around…
Staying put for about 3 seconds in the spread leg position…
Then he was off…
The last I saw of him before he flew back into the undergrowth.
ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
September 16, 2022
I expected to see a Mockingbird when I heard this jaunty fellow calling.
Like the Mocking Bird, Catbirds can imitate other birds as they sing.
The bright feathers under the tail gave him away as a Gray Catbird.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 9, 2022
A new bird to me, I spotted a pair of Rusty Blackbirds foraging at the edges of a swamp.
After a short pause out in the open this one went back to exploring the mud.
They eat insects or seeds, so about anything in this little pool would be a good snack.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 23, 2021
A Palm Warbler was doing his thing in the lower vegetation at the side of a swamp.
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.
Then he gave me a jaunty pose.
He heard something, gave it another look, then dove into the underbrush.
ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App
Magnolia’s Audubon Swamp, Charleston, SC
October 18, 2021
After having seen a hummingbird at the Powdery Alligator-flag two years ago I always give it a once-over when I pass by a patch.
A thunder storm was closing in on us and the light wasn’t great but it didn’t stop this Carolina Chickadee from gathering some snacks.
The light changed again, giving me hope that the storm was going away.
The extra light was brief and it started raining a short time later.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
