I appreciate the complete stories behind great images photographers like you post. I had my own version of this yesterday hanging around flowering crabapples waiting for some bird any bird to deign to come into the light. It's definitely a test of non-striving to stay present and patient and grateful for what appears (while you've prepared as well as you can).
Yes! I recently relocated and fascinated with new little winged faces! Larger sea birds as well. All exciting? A pair of cardinals, mockingbirds, grackles, waiting for a hummingbird. So very exciting. Will miss my old birds but have loads of photographs to recall. Love your descriptions and tales here. Thank you!
Such a fun description of a series of wonderful days. Glad for your birding vacation. Excellent photos, and great journey toward the ultimate gorgeous photo on the stick. Thanks for sharing.
Happy migration, Nate! I'm at 3 GWWAxBWWA for the season so far and counting! Just found another today that had BWWA facial pattern, yellow bib and throat, white body, gray wings, and 2 white wing bars. 🤪
This is a great piece. We only get a few warblers here. Unfortunately no Hooded. What a beautiful bird. I am always trying to get a better shot. I suspect there are worse vices in life lol. Thanks for sharing this experience.
I too have been dedicating time to patch birding at my local spot. It is a different and gratifying experience to get to know the area better and just enjoy whatever comes along. I can certainly relate to your trials and joys of photographing birds as well. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
So glad your persistent non-looking paid off! Such a great photo & days of getting to see that handsome fellow. I have never seen a hooded warbler so thanks for bringing us along! 🥰
Seems like the warblers enjoy the company of kind folks. Maybe they love showing off their extraordinary happy colors and design. Here in California we enjoy the Townsend's Warbler which can interbreed with the Hermit Warbler of Washington and Oregon, producing a variety of distinctive yellow and black masks. Your post was a treat for showing off the bright Hooded Warbler! Thank you~
Ooh, I didn't know that about the hybridization of Towsend's and Hermit! Thank you so much for sharing--now I'm going to search out some photos of those hybrids. They sounds so cool!
Congratulations on the Hooded Warbler sighting and images! That is a perfect post with them on the branch end and their head tilted slightly. Almost like they're saying: "What's all the fuss about?"
I like that idea of Patch Birding. This is something I've been unintentionally doing the past few years with well over 90% of my birding and wildlife sighting at a single conservation area. As you mention, you really get to learn a lot seeing one place go through the seasons - especially over several years.
That's an impressive species count from your May 4, 2025 ebird list as well! Thanks for sharing.
Can you not look for a hermit warbler next time?
😂 Or how about a Swainson's Warbler, Jon?
That’ll do just fine. Also, great shots of the hooded! 🔥♥️
I appreciate the complete stories behind great images photographers like you post. I had my own version of this yesterday hanging around flowering crabapples waiting for some bird any bird to deign to come into the light. It's definitely a test of non-striving to stay present and patient and grateful for what appears (while you've prepared as well as you can).
Yes, you describe that so well, Kev! Such a delicate balance.
Yes! I recently relocated and fascinated with new little winged faces! Larger sea birds as well. All exciting? A pair of cardinals, mockingbirds, grackles, waiting for a hummingbird. So very exciting. Will miss my old birds but have loads of photographs to recall. Love your descriptions and tales here. Thank you!
Wow, Kelly. That last shot is so beautiful! Good that you had not been looking for the Hooded warbler so patiently 😄
Thank you so much, Maja! I’m so glad it eventually worked out 😂
Such a fun description of a series of wonderful days. Glad for your birding vacation. Excellent photos, and great journey toward the ultimate gorgeous photo on the stick. Thanks for sharing.
I love reading about your birding adventures. Still waiting for most the warblers to make it this far north.
Thank you, Holly. They’re on their way! We just got a big number of new arrivals this week.
You have me thinking about favorite patches to return too. I have a few but I have to drive quite a distance.
What a beauty! I've never seen one. Sigh...
They sure are beautiful! Where are you located, Karen?
I'm in Washington State. But next week I'm traveling to Maine then road-tripping through NY, Ohio and ending in Chicago. Maybe I can find one?
Yes, there's still time!
Thank you for the mention, Kelly!
Hooded is one of the few warblers I’ve gotten a decent picture of. They breed at a nearby park so I get plenty of chances to try.
I’m pretty sure I’ve never gotten 71 species in one day. So cool! And a Brewster’s! And I’m still waiting to find one of those.
Happy migration, Kelly!!
Happy migration, Nate! I'm at 3 GWWAxBWWA for the season so far and counting! Just found another today that had BWWA facial pattern, yellow bib and throat, white body, gray wings, and 2 white wing bars. 🤪
So…jealous…
…not…going…
…to…
…survive 🫠
This is a great piece. We only get a few warblers here. Unfortunately no Hooded. What a beautiful bird. I am always trying to get a better shot. I suspect there are worse vices in life lol. Thanks for sharing this experience.
Photography is just like any other art form, right? There's always something about the skill to improve ;)
I too have been dedicating time to patch birding at my local spot. It is a different and gratifying experience to get to know the area better and just enjoy whatever comes along. I can certainly relate to your trials and joys of photographing birds as well. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Thanks, so much for reading, Marie! And glad to hear you are enjoying the same aspects of patch birding I do.
Hooded warblers tend to sit on perches and sing where I spend time in the spring. It is such a joy to actually view them
That sounds amazing, Bernie!
So glad your persistent non-looking paid off! Such a great photo & days of getting to see that handsome fellow. I have never seen a hooded warbler so thanks for bringing us along! 🥰
You are so welcome, I'm really glad you enjoyed it!
Seems like the warblers enjoy the company of kind folks. Maybe they love showing off their extraordinary happy colors and design. Here in California we enjoy the Townsend's Warbler which can interbreed with the Hermit Warbler of Washington and Oregon, producing a variety of distinctive yellow and black masks. Your post was a treat for showing off the bright Hooded Warbler! Thank you~
Ooh, I didn't know that about the hybridization of Towsend's and Hermit! Thank you so much for sharing--now I'm going to search out some photos of those hybrids. They sounds so cool!
Congratulations on the Hooded Warbler sighting and images! That is a perfect post with them on the branch end and their head tilted slightly. Almost like they're saying: "What's all the fuss about?"
I like that idea of Patch Birding. This is something I've been unintentionally doing the past few years with well over 90% of my birding and wildlife sighting at a single conservation area. As you mention, you really get to learn a lot seeing one place go through the seasons - especially over several years.
That's an impressive species count from your May 4, 2025 ebird list as well! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for the kind comments, Neil. It's wonderful getting to know a place like that and I'm glad you've had that experience too.
I'm searching for a comment, really. It's just that my mouth is all slack-jawed and I'm stunned, happily.
Thanks for talking us along on the walks
Oh, thank you so much for the kind words, Dave. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Wow, Kelly. That last shot es so beautiful! Good that you had not been looking for that bird so patiently 😄