I’m not sure I’ve seen a more alert-looking Yellow Warbler.
1/4000, f/6.3, 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
A little over two weeks ago I was lucky enough to catch this Yellow Warbler at the very top of a willow in the mountains. Usually they’re buried in the bushes or scurrying around their lower edges so this high vantage point gave me an unusually clean background for the species. I like the ‘King of the Mountain’ look for a change.
But what I like best is the ‘lean and mean’ look provided by his alert, stretched out posture. More often than not these little warblers look almost like little yellow puffballs so this somewhat unusual posture caught my attention. I’m not sure what he was reacting to, it could have been another bird or it might even have been me (or the clicking of my shutter), but whatever it was I like the result.
It isn’t my habit to post photos of the same species two days in a row (yesterday’s post included photos of a Yellow Warbler chick) but occasionally things just work out that way.
I’ll post a different species tomorrow, I promise.
Ron
On an unrelated note:
My good friend Justina Bernstein from Utah State Parks asked me to share this poster for the 2021 Antelope Island Spider Fest Photo Contest.
I encourage anyone who likes nature photography, Antelope Island and/or spiders to submit an entry by August 4. Heck, even if you’re not a spider fan, give it a go. You might change your mind about spiders and you just might become a winner of a photo contest. If nothing else it should be fun trying and State Parks certainly deserves our support. I’m honored again to be one of the judges this year and I’d like to see lots of entries.
Antelope Island’s famous (infamous?) orb weavers and other types of spiders are already out in good numbers so you should have plenty of arachnidian photo-ops especially on the north end of the island and anywhere near the marina. And no, your photos don’t have to be taken on the island.
Great shot, nice pose!!
Thanks, Dick.
I had to do a double-take before my brain embraced this shot as being of a warbler. I’m so used to the “ball of sunshine” pose that this “lightning bolt” threw me a little.
And yay for spiders — orb weavers, especially!
I did a similar double-take, Marty. For me it just doesn’t compute.
This is such an exquisite portrait of a Yellow warbler! I have tried so many times and failed utterly. The gesture is what I live about this bird. It is one I have seen Lazuli buntings and Western bluebirds do. Looking high over something or having heard a particular sound. This is just so lovely. Thanks for sharing it!
I’m glad you like it so much. Thanks, Marisela.
That’s quite a stretch. I wonder how long he held this position before crumbling back into puffball mode.
We have numerous little jumping spiders all about right now. I have to relocate them to the yard most every day. I don’t know what it is about the bathtub they find so fascinating.
Lyle, he held that pose for quite a while – long enough for me to get about a dozen shots of it.
Jumping spiders are wonderful little critters.
Alert and lovely.
You may mind posting ‘repeat’ birds two days in a row but I certainly don’t mind viewing them. And am quite certain that I am speaking for others too.
And how I love the idea of a ‘spider fest’… They are incredible architects and often very beautiful. Happy judging.
EC, in recent years the spider fest seems to have inspired a lot of interest in the island, and in spiders, in folks who may not have had much interest in them without the festival. So it’s a good thing.
Very pretty pose. Maybe I will get out a photograph the spiders. I have been busy with stuff, and it’s too hot!
Agree about the heat, April. After about 10 AM I stick close to AC.
Ummm, somebirdy may need to cut back on their caffeine!
Ya think…
I like that pose, too — what a cheery photo this is and, given the unhappy drought, fire and other news I’ve seen this morning, I have no complaints about repeat warblers.
I see many great photos of spiders on Twitter (jumping spiders are actually quite cute!) and I have no doubt you’ll see some excellent entries.
Thanks, Chris. I just hope the contest gets some folks out to appreciate nature, including spiders.
Lean and mean dancing (flying) machine! Ron – you can post the same species for days on end. Your variety of poses and explanations are fascinating. Thank you!! Always start my day with a smile reading your blog.
BTW-Big Sky, MT wedding was spectacular over the 4th. What a gorgeous spot on earth!!
Thanks very much, Kathleen.
One of my cousins that I’m close to used to live just north of Big Sky in Gallatin Gateway so I’m familiar with the area. Yes, it’s beautiful.
The wedding was at a horse ranch in Gallatin Gateway! Absolutely glorious 🙂
A sleek burst of sunshine! Great way to start my morning. Thx Ron.
Thank you, Jamila.
Ron,
Lovely Warbler. And the Spiders truly are plentiful on the Island. But how does one get an interesting pose of a spider? They are almost all just like the one above. Good luck picking a winner!
Stephen
Nope, spiders don’t pose. At least not for me.
And actually there’s a lot of variety of spiders on the island if you look carefully (“carefully” in two ways if you know what I mean…).
Yellow puffballs buried in the bushes is an excellent description. Very rarely in an open setting like this. I think he did this pose just for you.
Thanks, Everett. Whatever his motivation I’ll take it.
CRISP ! That’s the word that popped into my mind when this image popped
onto the screen– pointed, vertical leaves surrounding a warbler whose
posture almost suggests a salute– I like it very much ! It feels like we feel
in Southern Utah this morning after an excellent rainfall– first in what ?
Six months at least—alert, refreshed, ready to go …….
I heard you were supposed to have monsoonal rain late yesterday, Kris. They were afraid of more flash flooding like they had in Zion NP recently. Hope it didn’t happen.
The Warbler IS stretched out and alert – don’t know that I’ve ever seen one in that pose. Usually like you said – pretty much a yellow puff ball…… 😉
Better with spiders than I used too be as long as they aren’t on me…..🤭
Ended up with .4 rain yesterday – we’ll take it even if we could use days of that…..unusual for a slow, steady rain like that this time of year.
Judy, four tenths is significant. On the farm we used to figure that we needed at least a quarter inch to give the crops even a drink.
Same here – moisture deficit will take MUCH more than that but it sure helps in the short term…..
Purdy pose! Youthful and athletic . . . reminder of our own days long ago 🙂
Yeah, I know what you mean Terri…