Tag: Warbler

Northern Parula

This Northern Parula was a feathered artist painting the forest with song.

A Northern Parula warbler perches on a slender branch amid the emerging spring in Stokes State Forest Park. The background showcases the emergence of new delicate foliage in shades of red and green. Hanging catkins resemble a chandelier surrounding the warbler, which is decorated in a mosaic of blues and yellows.

This Northern Parula has a slate-blue back, a vibrant yellow throat extending down its chest, and a distinctive patch of rusty or chestnut colouring within the yellow. Its breast and belly transition to greyish-white. Dark blue-grey feathers with two white wing bars grace its wings, contributing to its complex plumage. The head features the same slate blue with a white eye crescent.

Despite its size, this Northern Parula, nearly hidden amid the springtime foliage, highlights the rich ecosystem of Stoke State Forest Park in Sandyston, New Jersey. The parula performs as a feathered artist, painting the forest with its melodious song.

I stumbled upon this photograph while organising my Adobe Lightroom catalogue. It was among a collection of warbler images captured during a workshop in Stoke State Forest Park in the spring of 2022.

Pine Warbler

I spent three hours in the Pinelands with Ray Hennessey hoping to get a photograph of the pine warbler. We could see the birds flying back and forth between the trees that lined the swampy area that Ray had scouted. We waited patiently, but the pine warbler kept out of view the camera. The light was fading, and we were ready to call it quits. Ray suggested that we stay just a bit longer. Our patience and effort were rewarded when this male landed in just the right spot.

NOTE: The light was fading, so the photograph was shot at ISO12800. It's not as sharp as I wanted.

This well-named bird is not often seen away from pine trees, especially during the breeding season. More sluggish than most of their relatives, Pine Warblers forage in a rather leisurely way at all levels in the pinewoods, from the ground to the treetops. This species is only a short-distance migrant, and almost the entire population spends the winter within the southern United States. Unlike most warblers, it regularly comes to bird feeders for suet or for other soft foods.Pine Warbler at the Audubon Society’s website

You can learn more about Ray Hennessy's work and signup for his workshops on his website. You can learn more about the Pine Warbler at the Audubon Society’s website.

Pine Warbler —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR @ (359.6 mm, 0.002 sec at f/5.6, ISO12800), © Khürt L. Williams