End of Summer Show!
On the mornings that I am able to go out I continue to head to Bullitt. The sounds, colors and feel of a new season making its way in are absolutely everywhere. Lately the mornings have been around 50 degrees with no wind - absolutely spectacular. I thought I would start this post with a video of a glorious sunrise last Tuesday. For this post I am combining shots from a few mornings - all at Bullitt.
Before I begin and forget again I was asked what kind of equipment I carry during my morning outings. I have two Canon R5 cameras - one set up with my Canon Zoom 100-500mm lens which is on a tripod that I carry every single outing. On most mornings I also carry my other Canon R5 with my Canon landscape lens 24-105mm lens. When I bring along my landscape camera and lens 99% of the time I carry those in my backpack. A sherpa would be welcome! :).
It is time to come along with me…
I need some help my friends, when I was out in the field taking this shot I was convinced this was a male Blackburnian Warbler. Am I correct? eBird lists five possibilities so if you know please let me know - thank you!
Female Blackburnian Warbler…..(another reason I think the above is a male Blackburnian…)
Male Chestnut-Sided Warbler with breakfast -
Adorable Tufted Titmouse
Beautiful hummingbird catching less than a second of shut eye…
Then put on a beautiful show…
Once again - I was convinced it was a Blackburnian Warbler when I was photographing this one…. please correct me if I am wrong…I know there is no orange but the the black beneath and behind his eye - the color on his chest -the black and white feathers made me keep thinking Blackburnian….
I love this series of this very handsome male Downy Woodpecker…
Made it to the top of that snag….
And then! :)
I just love those Yellow-throated Warblers - a beautiful male -
First and only Black-throated Blue Warbler this season for me - a female.
Beautiful female Chestnut-sided Warbler… putting on a show -
Stunning hummer taking a break -
How cute is this? Having breakfast on such a gorgeous rock… nature is constantly giving…
Female Common Yellowthroat primping….
Could not believe this gorgeous male Scarlet Tanager flew in! I had not seen any of these in days… and then landed practically in front of me!
And then another one flew in and was very busy primping and cleaning his stunning feathers! I love when they end up plucking out a feather that just needs to be removed…. I thanked him for holding that feather just so for this shot…. :)
I had been hearing the buzzing of Cedar Waxwings to my right. I have to say that I was doing my best trying to will someone to land exactly where he landed for me!
And then this….. I will never forget this moment….
I had just picked up my tripod and moved a little further down the path when this Scarlet Tanager landed for a quick moment. I have not seen another Scarlet Tanager since.
It has been several days since I have seen an Indigo Bunting - I think they are on their way. It is amazing how many mornings I was able to spot them and photograph them this year - by far the most sightings I have ever had of them. I was consistently seeing and hearing them and then one morning last week - no Bunting sounds or sightings - and none since. Who knows I still may seen some - or not.
This time of year is always beautiful but very bittersweet. I think of the bird migrations that are beginning in our night sky as these feathered treasures begin to take flight. Which bird in the flock gives the signal - tonight is the night… or, it is time to get ready we are heading out in 5 days! After they have gorged themselves and their feathers are just so - they begin journeys of hundreds and thousands of miles to their wintering grounds. And then if they are lucky and we are lucky… they return to us again next year. I look to them and find strength - if something that is measured in ounces can persevere, so can I.