If you're interested in using any of these photographs in any way, please contact me. Send an e-mail to naturalhistoryphotos(at)gmail.com. Thanks!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Bright and early

Sometimes your day needs a little brightening...


...and a Hermit Warbler is just the thing!


I looked up from my desk at the end of the day to see this warbler moving around from branch to branch in the shrub outside my office.


It was actively searching for food, so difficult to photograph, but I eventually ended up with a few images for the record.


Hermit Warblers don't nest on Bodega Head.  They're generally more associated with coniferous forests to our north in Washington, Oregon, and northern California (although they're rare nesters in both Sonoma and Marin counties).  They'll winter primarily from Mexico to Nicaragua, with some individuals remaining along the California and Oregon coasts.


This individual is likely an early migrant.  I don't know if it's up-to-date, but the Birds of North America account lists the fall migration dates for Hermit Warbler at the Farallon Islands as 31 July to 20 November, with a peak from early August to early September.  Today's date of 30 July is definitely on the early side!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

a hermit warbler !! who knew ? c

Anonymous said...

My day is definitely brighter, having started with your post about this lovely little guy! Thank you.

Alice Chan

Claudia said...

I like how the series of pictures give you a feeling for how it was hopping around and difficult to see. And then "kaching!" the last one if a full on in-your-face sweet little bird shot.