And man, can these lovely little birds ever fight!
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Three days ago in the Wasatch Mountains I hit a warbler hotspot – a small area near a stream where warblers, both Yellow and Yellow-rumped, seemed to be everywhere. The latter species in particular was in a feeding frenzy, flying from spot to spot as they gleaned insects from low vegetation rather than in trees. That meant they were mostly out in the open but they were almost impossible to follow with my lens. They would land in one spot, snatch up their insect snack and then be off before I could get locked on to them. It was great practice for a bird photographer but frustrating and humbling as well.
But this one got thirsty and went down to the stream for a drink. As it did so it paused on this rock for longer than usual so I was able to get some photos. For a variety of reasons, including the steep shooting angle, I don’t think it’s a great shot but in my experience the rock perch is quite unusual for the species so I found it interesting.
Thirteen minutes later and not far out of frame at upper left I witnessed what may have been the most vicious bird fight I’ve ever seen and yes it involved two of these lovely and gentle-looking warblers. It probably lasted for most (or perhaps all) of a minute as they duked it out. The action was incredibly fast as the furious little ball of feathers consisting of two birds jumped from spot to spot. At first they were mostly out in the open but they moved so fast I could never get a shot of both birds.
Then they went into a small brush pile and really had it out. All I could see through the brush was a cluster of feathers rolling around that reminded me of two MMA fighters locked in near-mortal combat.
This is one of the only shots I was able to get of either or both birds during the fight. This one had taken refuge in a small low-growing shrub and this was its defensive reaction as its antagonist swooped in for another attack.
It was a fight I won’t soon forget. I actually thought there was a good chance one of the birds would be killed but I believe both of them escaped with their lives, if not with all of their feathers.
Ron
FYI – Mia apparently solved my computer problem. It turns out that one of my three peripheral hard drives has an issue that was preventing my primary computer from booting up. When it’s unplugged the computer boots just fine and after boot-up is complete I can plug it back in and everything works. Thankfully that hard drive is one I seldom use.
That enigma caused a lot of stress before it was solved. Computers – love’em and hate’em.
For us easterners nice to see “Audubon’s Warbler” the western Yellow-rumped. Great shot!
Rain all day today, just hope we don’t pay for all this water come July and August.
Love the first shot!
Thanks, Jean.
Hooray for Mia.
This morning I had computer issues. Again.
I think I need a Mia.
That is an enchanting little bird. It is amazing how vicious some little birds can get isn’t it? I am glad that both combatants lived to fly another day.
Maybe we should clone her, EC. I get the original version though!
Ron,
“Canyons”, “stream”… I need to go on an exploratory field trip to the mountains!
Nice shots as always. You always give interesting commentary as well.
Thanks,
Stephen
I do tend to go on and on sometimes so I appreciate what you said about my commentary, Stephen.
Enjoyed the shots. I’ve never seen a scramble with these two. We’ll soon be in Park City for the summer and hope to find birds that aren’t just brown as Most of our desert ones are. The second pic almos look like a hummingbird position.
Yes, you should be able to find some birds in the mountains with more color. Thanks, Linda.
Looks like that little one had great expectations with his raised wings expecting to be crowned the ‘winner’! It must have been something to see such little ones squabble. Really like that first photo…he looks good on a rock for a change of perch. These are fun birds to keep up with.
“Fun to keep up with” is one way of putting it, Kathy. Frustrating and even maddening are other appropriate descriptors.
I think the pictures are interesting and appealing. I had a similar computer problem and they are very frustrating. Maybe make a note detailing what happened and the resolution. I have tries this in the past with moderate success.
Thanks, Betty. I think I’m going to purchase a replacement hard drive and transfer the files while everything’s still working.
Great shots of cute birds. I’ve rarely seen a fight like that, but of course it does happen. Territory, food, mate, etc, often hard to determine the cause.
Everett, I have no idea what set these birds off but whatever it was they took it very seriously.
Sensational shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
WOW! Like both shots even if not “up to snuff” for your likes! 😉 The vicious fighting seems to happen with several species (Orioles here this year) Don’t know if I’ve just never noticed or what! Glad your computer guru figured it out for you! 🙂 Yea Mia!
Judy, I’ve seen a lot of bird fights but this one was jaw-dropping, even with such small birds.