Just returned from a trip to Manitoba that my pal David Cree and I have been planning for a few years now. This bird was our primary goal, and it completes my goal of photographing all of the eastern warblers. We actually found 7 of this species in the one and a half days we spent looking (I am not counting the first half day which was an overcast and windy afternoon). We searched some areas east of Winnipeg, and most of the birds were in bog areas, except this one, which we found in a forested area. We were able to work with just two of the 7 birds we found, all the others being either indifferent or just wouldn't give us open looks. We have some thoughts as to why that is the case, but suffice it to say when doing small bird photography it is generally best to find birds that others likely have not found, and even better to find birds that others also will not likely find.

It was great getting to hear this species on territory, and to observe it well visually in two separate encounters with different individuals. This bird landed much closer to the trunk of the tree, and we got to see it walk along the branch to the position above, where it sang it's heart out. Few warbler species walk but this is one species that does.

Tags:   Connecticut warbler Manitoba 2017easternwarblerbucketlistset

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Manitoba Canada. 6/5/2017.

This is probably my favorite Connecticut warbler image from that trip, albeit it is a somewhat distant shot. I have others that are more detailed/closer, but to me this captures the essence of the species. To me this image depicts a retiring, difficult to see species, in deciduous habitat of poplar/aspens, it's colors somewhat muted compared to the brighter Mourning Warbler, singing away. Such habitat is alternative habitat to what most of us are more familiar with, which is the spruce bog habitat. The other 6 birds of this species that we managed to find were all in spruce bog areas. The advantage in finding this bird was we were able to walk towards it's song, without a bog obstructing our advance. At one point the bird landed mere feet from us, far too close for us to manage an image. What a thrill it was to observe this reclusive species so very close. I was able to observe it's walking behavior along a branch, and it's body quivering as it sang, both rather unique characteristics of this species.

Tags:   connecticut warbler manitoba 6/5/2017 poplar and aspen connecticut warbler in song

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Manitoba. June 5, 2017.

I didn't like the background for this shot so I replaced it using Photoshop to help the bird stand out better. This species is not as bright as the M0urning warbler, so I resisted the urge to further increase vibrancy or saturation. We found this cooperative bird late morning so the sunlight was a bit harsher than I would have liked. Note the short tail extension beyond the undertail coverts, and the olive tones throughout the grey areas

Tags:   Connecticut warbler photoshop Manitoba 6/5/2017

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Manitoba. This is from a couple springs ago that I never posted. I recently reprocessed it as I continue work on my warbler plumage gallery.

Tags:   Connecticut Warbler Tamarack Manitoba Photoshop

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