Island in the Net by Khürt Williams
Technology and Photography Musings. Established circa 2000.
A different view of the Cerulean Warbler.
A different view of the Cerulean Warbler. The leaves obscure the wings of this individual, but this setting feels more natural and pleasing to me. The green contrasts nicely with the blue feathers.
Cerulean Warbler
In the hushed serenity of Stokes State Forest Park, I saw a small yet striking Cerulean Warbler perch gracefully amidst the complex lace of bare twigs. With its sky-blue back, this individual flits through the overgrown foliage, a splash of colour against the green canvas. Its delicate form is a testament to the surprises hidden within the leafy branches near Sandyston.
The setting is a dance of natural Spring hues; the emerging leaves' soft greens blend with the branches' muted tones. Light filters through the tree canopy, radiating a peaceful glow on the warbler's plumage, highlighting the crisp white underparts and the band of streaks along its chest.
In this tranquil woodland setting, the warbler is the star, a transient beauty amongst the woods. This image captures a moment of stillness, a glimpse into the life of one of nature's most elusive songbirds.
This individual was challenging to photograph. It always seemed to land in the thick of the leaves and stems. Of the dozen or more frames I captured, this is the best photograph of the set. It is the only one I have where the bird landed and was not somewhat obscured by a branch.
I love the flame-orange throat of the Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca).
This is the second workshop that I have booked with Ray Hennessey. When I registered for Ray's workshop, it was mainly because I was attracted to the flame-orange throat of the Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca).
The Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) is a vibrantly coloured bird, noted for its striking orange and black plumage on the face and throat, which is incredibly vivid during the breeding season. They are often found in coniferous forests and are a brilliant spectacle for any bird enthusiast. Ray had his camper van set up in a Stokes State Forest Park, a state park in Sandyston, Montague and Frankford in Sussex County, New Jersey.
Ray knew just where to go, and this bird was very cooperative, flying between the surrounding branches of the shorter trees. We found this individual near the area where we photographed the Black-throated Green Warbler. We waited patiently for the bird to rest in just the right spot. His throat seems to glow. I learned that no other North American warbler has an orange throat.
Photographing these tiny birds is a challenge. We would find a spot with a confusion of Warbler and stand around, waiting for the bird to come down from the trees and land on an open branch. The bird may land in a leafy tree or shrub and is either fully or partially obscured by leaves or stems. Sometimes, the bird is facing away from the camera. Getting a good photograph requires time, patience, and lots of luck. But the results are rewarding.
