Tag Archives: Song Bird

Rusty Blackbird at Stream Edge

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 Stream
Rusty Blackbird Peeking in Blackman Stream
Rusty Blackbird Peeking in Blackman Stream
Rusty Blackbird Peeking in Blackman Stream
Rusty Blackbird Peeking in Blackman Stream
Rusty Blackbird Peeking in Blackman Stream
Rusty Blackbird Peeking in Blackman Stream
Rusty Blackbird Peeking in Blackman Stream

ID by Merlin Bird ID app

Bradley, ME
October 1, 2022

Palm Warbler, Maine

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
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.

Palm Warbler
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.

Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler

This particular bird is much more colorful than the Palm Warbler I had photographed a few days before in Charleston, SC.

Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler

ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App

Penobscot County, Maine
September 16, 2022

Palm Warbler

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
Palm Warbler

He looked around…

Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler

Staying put for about 3 seconds in the spread leg position…

Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler

Then he was off…

Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler

The last I saw of him before he flew back into the undergrowth.

Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler

ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
September 16, 2022

Rusty Blackbird

A new bird to me, I spotted a pair of Rusty Blackbirds foraging at the edges of a swamp.

Rusty Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird

After a short pause out in the open this one went back to exploring the mud.

Rusty Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird

They eat insects or seeds, so about anything in this little pool would be a good snack.

Rusty Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird and his reflection

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 23, 2021

Palm Warbler, Curious

A Palm Warbler was doing his thing in the lower vegetation at the side of a swamp.

Palm Warbler
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
Palm Warbler

Then he gave me a jaunty pose.

Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler

He heard something, gave it another look, then dove into the underbrush.

Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler

ID by Cornell Lab’s Merlin App

Magnolia’s Audubon Swamp, Charleston, SC
October 18, 2021

Carolina Chickadee on Powdery Alligator-flag

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.

Carolina Chickadee on Powdery Alligator-flag
Carolina Chickadee on Powdery Alligator-flag

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.

Carolina Chickadee with Powdery Alligator-flag Seed
Carolina Chickadee with Powdery Alligator-flag Seed

The light changed again, giving me hope that the storm was going away.

Carolina Chickadee on Powdery Alligator-flag
Carolina Chickadee on Powdery Alligator-flag

The extra light was brief and it started raining a short time later.

Carolina Chickadee on Powdery Alligator-flag
Carolina Chickadee on Powdery Alligator-flag

Female American Redstart

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.

Female American Redstart

Vireo Nest, Empty

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
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
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
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.

Prothonotary Warbler in the Forest

The Prothonotary Warblers have returned to my area. Often you hear them before seeing them, even with this brilliant yellow.

Prothonotary Warbler
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
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.

Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler