Pic of the Day

Wilson's Warbler, Cardellina pusilla:  Magee Marsh, Ohio

photographed during the "Biggest Week in American Birding."

     In May, I spent a week at Magee Marsh to photograph neotropical migrants.  I was fortunate to photograph this Wilson Warbler as it winged north from its wintering grounds of Mexico and Central America.  The background is out-of-focus foliage about twenty feet behind the bird.  Finding clean backgrounds that place emphasis on the bird is hard to find at Magee.  Usually distracting branches are in the way to distract the viewer.  I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time for this photo.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/160 second @ f/8

Pic of the Day

Blackburian Warbler, Setophaga fusca:  Magee Marsh, Ohio

     I should be at Magee Marsh in about a month to see and photograph all (well as many as possible) neotropical migrants that will be heading north to breed.  Spring at Magee Marsh is fabulous and I can’t wait to get there.   Of all the migrants that will be passing through, it is the Warblers that I enjoy the most.  Like the Blackburnian pictured above, most are brightly colored and are usually close to the ground making them easy to see and photograph.

     Magee Marsh is also home to an incredible birding festival,  “The Biggest Week in American Birding.”  The festival takes place from May 8-17 and features some of America’s top birders, field trips, great programs, and of course great birding.  If you have never been to Magee, the festival is one of the best ways to enjoy the spring migration.  Click the following links to learn more about the festival: http://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com  
I will be on the boardwalk between May 11-19, hope to see you there!

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/500 second @ f/7.1