On and on…!
This is not a Fogo post - I am taking you on a detour and catching up from a June morning at Bullitt Reservation in Ashfield. It was a glorious morning - low 60’s and not a cloud in the sky. I arrived very early as usual and set up in the upper field - one of my favorite early morning spots. I think every flying bug in Franklin County was also enjoying the morning! :) I kept saying to myself - with this many bugs the birding is going to be amazing - and it was!
Just as the sun was coming up over the trees behind me - a spectacular flash of color flew right in front of me! A stunning Scarlet Tanager appeared … and put on a show!
As soon as he flew off I heard the distinct song of an American Redstart! I picked up and moved a little further along the path and set up and a female American Redstart flew in and gave me an unobstructed view - which is always special.
As soon as I took the above shot another bird went flying by… I moved down a little and thankfully this Black-throated Green Warbler stopped for a moment!
Northern Yellow Warbler
I heard one of the most songs… who was it? where was it?? I moved slight to my right and waited and waited… And then this stunning Blue-headed Vireo landed in the perfect spot!
I moved down further to my right as I had been seeing butterflies flying around. I set up and then willed it to land right here! :)
And then this stunning one landed!
They had my full attention -
And then they flew off… I had been going at non-stop for quite some time. I decided I wanted to go back into the woods at the beginning of the trail and set up - I had heard a lot of chatter earlier there….
This spot is always tricky at this time of the morning as I am usually shooting right up into the rising sun… but I love the challenge of trying to capture something in this kind of light. As soon as I set up - an Ovenbird!
It then hopped over to the right of me -
Then high-stepped it right along this perfect branch…
I went a little further along the trail in the woods and stopped dead in my tracks - who was singing? Took my phone out and Merlin told me that it was a Magnolia Warbler! I set up…. and waited a very long time - but it paid off!
After I lost sight of the Magnolia I continued on the trial in the woods. I had been being teased by hearing Black-throated Blue Warblers for many outings… and never getting a good look at one. I thought that the way this morning was going I should just set up and be extra patient - and that is exactly what I did. The most incredible thing happened - I heard the Black-throated Blue getting closer and closer but couldn’t see it - it was killing me to have it so close and have it hide behind all of the foliage. Then out of nowhere it flew down and landed on the ground next to me to my left for a split-second. As if to say - will this do?? Yes, I said - perfectly - and thank you!
Needless to say this morning was blowing me away…I was at the right place at the right time all morning long. I didn’t want it to end - so I went back up to the upper field where I started just to see if anyone was hanging around…..
Sure enough - this is a Blackburnian Warbler! It is either a female or immature male….
Female American Redstart
Either an immature male or female Blackburnian Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
I had been hearing Chestnut-sided Warblers all morning and not having luck seeing them… until this - feeding time!!
It was time to head home - I had been out a very long time. What a morning… just as I picking up my tripod and camera I saw a flash of color! I put my tripod back down and snapped another female American Redstart - incredible…
Thank you for coming along with me…