“How hard could it be?
Minutes rolled by as the shadow picked its way through the thick brush. Fifteen came and went, then 30, then 40, and I got not so much as a glimpse. And my legs were getting stiff. Frustrated, I sighed, lowered my binoculars, and started back up the road to find a more obliging species.
But then a sudden burst of loud scolding erupted from the brush, startling me. I turned back and was surprised to see not one, but two target birds – a male and a female MacGillivray’s Warbler.
Brilliant yellow and bright olive, with a sleek, gun-metal-gray hood, the male was dazzling. His broken eye ring flashed silver-white, seeming more like war paint as he rattled his displeasure at me. The female showed more modest garb but a more fiery disposition, chattering non-stop and flitting spastically from perch to perch in front of me.
I took the hint and backed up the road. Both birds advanced a bit to see me off, then retreated into the dense tangle. I released the breath I had been holding and walked back to my car with a grin a mile wide.
That wasn’t hard at all.”
~Chris Duke, birdwatchingdaily.com~
Oh I was giving you credit for waiting all that time. And was confused by the binoculars instead of a camera. But I see now you are telling how elusive these birds are. Great shot.
@joansmor@bigdad@365karly1@casablanca@rosiekind@bkbinthecity@ranger1
Thanks so much for commenting on my photo of the MacGillivray's warbler. According to my bird guide, it is not rare, but it is elusive. We were at a mountain spring with several serious birders, and they were very excited to see it and clearly identified it for us. I was able to get it actually splashing in the spring.
Thanks so much for commenting on my photo of the MacGillivray's warbler. According to my bird guide, it is not rare, but it is elusive. We were at a mountain spring with several serious birders, and they were very excited to see it and clearly identified it for us. I was able to get it actually splashing in the spring.