This spring, warbler migration was painfully dull both in our part of south Florida and near our second home in northeastern Illinois. We departed for Illinois at the beginning of May, just when numbers of warblers had started building up there in previous years. Now that summer has arrived and it is a rainy day, all I can do is remember last year and look forward to fall migration.
The Prairie Warbler was quite common in Florida this spring, but we have never yet seen one in Illinois.
Some of the warblers we saw this spring both in Florida and in Illinois were…
Yellow-rumped Warbler (photographed in Illinois)
This Western subspecies of Palm Warbler, common in Florida, is the dull-colored form…
…as compared to this Eastern “Yellow” Palm Warbler, photographed in Illinois
Black-and-white Warbler (in Florida)
Yellow Warbler (in Illinois)
Now I’m remembering some warblers we had hoped to see– but didn’t see at all this spring, either in Florida or Illinois.
Past spring migrations in Florida, we have seen…
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Northern Parula
During past spring migrations in Illinois we have gotten…
Bay-breasted Warbler
Here is another view of a Bay-breasted Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
American Redstart
This Nashville Warbler is actually flying– I accidentally caught him at an instant when his wings were closed
June 25th, 2012 at 3:37 pm Marvelous shots Ken, you do these warblers proud! On your list here, I got to see 1 species in Arizona–betcha can guess which one too. It was a very weird spring. Despite the warmer weather, it seemed like numbers and diversity is down all over, except for some waterfowl sticking around much longer than usual.
June 26th, 2012 at 11:15 am Stunning Warbler series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
June 26th, 2012 at 11:25 am You’ve got some beautiful shots of these little guys. Several of these I saw for the first time at Fort Desoto in April. It’s so hard getting good shots of them.
June 26th, 2012 at 11:45 am Fantastic shot of the “take-off” before the wings carry it further-
June 26th, 2012 at 1:39 pm A great series of photos of all the warblers. An amazing capture in the last one!
June 26th, 2012 at 2:04 pm Very pretty birds that last shot is hilarious made me laugh.
June 26th, 2012 at 2:43 pm That last one looks magical….I love ‘em all, but the one I favor is the LA. waterthrush!!! MERLIN FALCON
June 26th, 2012 at 3:22 pm What wonderful warblers! That last one is an amazing capture.
June 26th, 2012 at 3:27 pm Wonderful little birds to see…all of them. If I had to choose a favourite it would have to be the last shot.
June 26th, 2012 at 4:02 pm Gorgeous collection of warbler photos. I loved them all.
June 26th, 2012 at 4:44 pm wow! your photos are spectacular! puts my pitiful yellow warbler to shame (but i’m still happy to have seen it!) :)
June 26th, 2012 at 11:53 pm WOW!!! what a variety of wablers…love the one in the air.Thanks for sharing.Have a great day! Shantana
June 27th, 2012 at 7:45 am Lovely warbler series! I am really envious.
June 27th, 2012 at 9:43 am Incredibly beautiful shots, Ken!
June 28th, 2012 at 10:25 am Thanks to all! The spring warbler season seemed to have been tough, but with notable exceptions such as Magee Marsh and SW Florida coast. @ Laurence– of the bunch, the Yellow-rumped should have been present in Arizona, but likely it would be the Audubon’s form rather than our Myrtle subspecies. The others are pretty much eastern species, though who knows what might turn up during migration. There was a Black-throated Gray Warbler in Florida this spring.
June 28th, 2012 at 1:41 pm Thanks for sharing your memories! Beautiful birds and beautiful photos every one. Had a comment from someone that the storks in FL were having a hard time b/c of the flooding from Debby. Hope they’ll be OK when we go back next winter.
June 28th, 2012 at 4:27 pm @Sallie– That is sad, as the Wood Storks in south Florida suffered general nesting failures this spring and for the previous three seasons. They did nest with some success up to the north. I hope their young were far enough advanced to survive the storm, although flooding will dilute their food supply and make the water too deep for foraging. The adults will have to fly great distances to find suitable fishing areas and the young can starve.
July 19th, 2012 at 3:18 am This is first time visiting your blog and I must say your warbler series is beautiful! Some fantastic shots. I will return!