Warbler Wowser Wakeup

I had a feeling this morning had a chance to be good. The weather had been socked in last night, and the forecast called for a bright morning with some areas waking up to an overnight dusting of snow. Based on my understanding of "fallout" that seemed about right. Instead of anticipating the predawn bird alarm with dread, I planned for it, and was out the door before six this morning. Everything seemed to have come together perfectly.

I returned to the South Mesa Trail parking area, and revisited the area where the Worm-eating Warbler had been seen previously. I had no more luck with that species, but it was a banner day for more common varieties of warbler. The Yellow Warbler (top), is one of my favorites. Bright and easily identified, it really works well in pictures. The accumulated snow didn't keep the Myrtel's Yellow-rumped Warbler (above), from enjoying a bit of breakfast. It just plowed off the branch as it went.

Next up was a Wilson's Warbler. It remained deeper in the understory, only occasionally popping up to the higher branches.

Virginia's Warblers were also about. They show that yellow spot in the middle of a plain white breast, and another below the tail. Virginia's also have a reddish crown, (click the picture to get a larger view) and an unbroken, bold eye-ring.

Just like any warbler they always have a next place to get to, and are usually off sooner rather than later.

It was a perfect combination of elements this morning; clear skies and no wind, enough snow to cover, but not so much as to damage the new growth, and colorful migrant birds to share it with.

There aren't many better ways to start a day!

International Bird Migration Day is tomorrow, what species are passing through your areas?

***Update: I found more pics from this trip that had rolled onto a new directory on my camera, the posts are visible here and here.

Gregory Canyon - Round 1

Peek-


A-Boo!

I went back to a Boulder favorite last evening, Gregory Canyon, in search of a reported rare resident the Scarlet Tanager. Unfortunately for me I missed it, but then I will be more likely to make special trips back to that great area if I have a carrot on a stick in front of me. Especially a brilliant red carrot with black trim.

Even missing the Scarlet couldn't keep this goldmine from producing though. I had three life birds, one of which posed for a respectable picture, and two will be hunted again in the future.

The good:

A Gray Flycatcher.


The potentially oh-so-good:

Western Tanager.


And the - through no fault of its own - ugly:

Virgina's Warbler. Note: Ugly applies to the photographic rendering, the bird itself is fantastic.

The sad part on that one is; that I have an even less focused shot that shows the yellow undertail coverts which helped me make the ID. My next frame had the perching branch in focus as the bird had just dove down the length of the tree and behind a larger clump of branches. I guess I'll just have to get faster on the focusing draw.

To finish on a cleaner note here are two better picks of more common species, a Turkey Vulture circling in the sunlight (there were 8 in the kettle), and a Spotted Towhee on what I believe is a Raspberry branch. Should be good bear and bird food later this summer!

Fortunately on this trip there were no snakes visible whatsoever. Really, it is much nicer that way.

2009 Count: 150

Lifetime:163