There are relative differences on how various warbler species respond to efforts to photograph them. Modification of those efforts in most cases whether it be time of season (dates for a location), how calls and which calls are used (if they are used), and perch selection whether that be a general selection or a highly specific exact selected perch can either increase or decrease probability of photographer success. This species has been a bit of a nemesis for me (and for other experienced warbler photographers based on conversations I've had) in placing it on an EXACT specific perch. I must stress that unless a bird is relatively comfortable and confident it won't linger on such a perch especially sing from that perch. A stressed out bird darting back and forth is NEVER the goal and gives photographers a bad name as well as being bad for the bird. "Putting a call on" is a very generic statement and the how is poorly understood by most. I have digressed so back to this shoot! I found this bird the day before and noticed he was very malleable for his species. However the light was getting harsh so I quickly left him and returned the next morning. I wish I had done a little better with the lighting (uneven) and I was a little slow on the draw and missed more open shots on this perch. Yet it marked a success for me with this species and I learned from it.
Tags: Black-throated Blue warbler Pinkshell azalea Appalachia Spring WarblerWhisperer LLC bloom warbler Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina workshop warbler workshop warbler photography warbler photography workshop bird photography workshop
© All Rights Reserved
Georgia Mountains.
Tags: Black-throated Blue Warbler warbler fall fall warbler Georgia Georgia mountains fall migration
© All Rights Reserved
These images arranged in a composite are from my recent Blue Ridge Parkway workshop. I've included two images of males along with the female. The singing pose shows a typical southern Appalachians male showing some black on the dorsal aspect. The other male shows a dorsal aspect devoid of black which is more typical of birds from the northern part of the range. The southern males also tend to have a more prominent white handkerchief. This eastern warbler shows the largest difference between female and male plumage but all birds except for the most immature females also show a white handkerchief. First fall males if found early enough in that season will sometimes show a white supercillium and a white lower eye arc similar to that found in the female. I find that incredibly interesting.
Tags: Black-throated Blue Warbler warbler composite WarblerWhisperer.com Blue Ridge Parkway workshop workshop photography guide
© All Rights Reserved
North Carolina.
Tags: Black-throated Blue Warbler North Carolina Spring
© All Rights Reserved
Warbler season is getting started here in Georgia! If anyone has interest I do have limited availability for my Blue Ridge Parkway trip this Spring. I would love for you to participate. I have completed the COVID vaccination as safety is a priority. Thanks as always for visiting!
He is singing from a rhododendron patch which is its favorite haunts in the southern sections of the Parkway where it is quite numberous. People from up north are sometimes suprised to learn this species breeds as far south as the tallest of the Georgia mountains. Most of the southern breeders of this species have some black coloration dorsally as does this bird to a moderate amount and a bigger white hankerchief on average compared to northern breeders.
www.warblerwhisperer.com/tour-blue-ridge-parkway
Tags: Black-throated Blue Warbler
© All Rights Reserved