On April 8, 2011, I heard, spotted, and photographed one of my favorite small migratory birds, the Common Yellowthroat. Like clockwork each year, these warblers arrive at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (and virtually all over the U.S.) by early April and can be heard singing their hearts out. In fact, they are usually heard before they are seen, as they are very small and tend to stay in dense, brushy vegetation. The male is unmistakable with its black mask and the female is beautiful in her colorful simplicity. (Be sure to click on these thumbnails for a larger, more detailed view!)
Here’s my first shot for this year:
Here is one of last year’s shots of a male, taken April 14, 2010:
This is a beautiful female Yellowthroat from last year, taken April 23, 2010:
Thanks for stopping by for a glimpse of Spring!
OK… you hooked me. I’m headed for Ridgefield Monday or Tuesday. Great captures (again) Denns