Chestnut-sided WarblerAdult Male (Spring)
As the summer season winds down, so does the birdsong throughout western Pennsylvania. May isn't very far behind us but the woods are awfully quiet now compared to when the breeding songbird population were singing to attract a mate. Now, they seem to be spending a lot of time eating for strength for their pending migration.
Another noticeable difference is the bird plumage. Gone are most of the brilliant colors and patterns worn by our feathered friends. Bird identification is more difficult now because the male's plumage has changed, usually to more subdued colors, and the juveniles are adult size and colored similar to the female in more inconspicuous shades of earth tones.
The above image, made last May, is a breeding Chestnut-sided Warbler. This bird and its mate were found in the same area several weeks in a row. They filled the woods with their song. I recently photographed a 1st year male Chestnut-sided Warbler (below) in the same area, leading me to believe it may be an offspring to the above adult.
Chestnut-sided Warbler1st year
One bird still holding onto its yellow and black colors is the American Goldfinch. This seems to be a happy time of year for them as they have been very vocal lately.
I will see and photograph the American Goldfinch for the next couple of months as they are easily found pulling seeds from the seeding coneflowers and other perennials.
The male Common Yellowthroat's black mask has faded considerably but not enough to confuse it with a female. The image below is an example of a juvenile's color. This looks like a female but it may be a juvenile of either gender.
Common YellowthroatFemale or Juvenile
I still see a few Ruby-throated Hummingbird's but sightings are happening less often.
The Red-eyed Vireo can be found into late October in western Pennsylvania before they begin migrating to their South American winter home. To me, a good bird portrait doesn't have an obstruction, like a tree limb, dissecting the body but I love the red eyes in this photo so I had to share.
I'm beginning to see a lot more Black-capped Chickadees. Although they are considered a year-round resident, I don't see as many through the late spring and summer months. Seeing a higher quantity of this bird reminds me that summer is almost over. I have to point out the early fall palette of color in the background.
This next photo is of a juvenile sparrow. Can anyone identify which species? I'm leaving it unidentified until someone who is great at identifying juvenile sparrows in fall migration can help. It looks like a Song Sparrow but the chest markings and coloring in the face dilutes that theory. This birds markings and coloring, to me, match a Lincoln's Sparrow. They are only found in Pennsylvania during migration so if it is a Lincoln's Sparrow, it would be a surprising catch.
ID note: After some discussion with birders much more knowledgeable than I, there is a consensus that this is a Juvenile Song Sparrow. I’m leaving the above text in the blog just to show how difficult identifying a late summer/fall bird can be.
One day, as my wife, Elena, and I walked past a field of wildflowers she commented on the beauty of the Tiger Swallowtail butterflies fluttering in the wind from flower to flower. I agreed and stated that I haven't seen very many Monarch Butterflies this summer. Didn't photograph any of them. Later that day I saw this one. Note to self... plant milkweed in my perennial gardens next year as a Monarch's larvae appear to feed exclusively on the milkweed plant.
Monarch Butterfly on Goldenrod
This is a female Indigo Bunting. I heard her short, sharp "spit" calls as she flitted between the shrubs along the woodland's edge. I wanted to share this photo because I liked the relationship between the bird and the crabapple fruit. Some larger birds, like the American Robin, swallow this fruit in one gulp. I don't think the Indigo Bunting's mouth could open that wide.
I've posted several photos of Cedar Waxwing lately. I am still trying to improve on the portraits I made in the past. I would also like to photograph some of their antics performed in the berry bushes. I'll just keep on trying. I usually find Cedar Waxwings high in the treetops only flying out to snag an insect out of the air. Finally, I found a small flock that, after a period of waiting, has come near me to feed close to the ground. It is near dusk so a little fill flash helps in my efforts. Here are a couple images they've given me.
Branch for one.
I don't want to rush time but we should begin to see Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the area soon. Previous years' photos were made October through January. They are a quick bird which presents another challenge and I look forward to making a great portrait of each.
Thanks for looking,
Dan