Pic of the Day

Kirtland's Warbler, Setophaga Kirtlandii:  Grayling, Michigan

     Taken on a beautiful spring morning a couple of years ago near Grayling, Michigan on the Kirtland's breeding grounds.  This little guy was singing his heart out defending his territory.  I photographed this bird and its mate on a Kirtland's Warbler tour out of Grayling.  I have made a number to trips to photograph this endangered species over the years, but the last trip I made a couple of years ago was the absolute best, as this bird came quite close.  I'm looking forward to making another trip this coming spring.  

(Notice, winter has not yet arrived and I'm already looking forward to spring.)

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/1600 second @ f/5

Pic of the Day

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus

Hartwick State Park; Grayling, Michigan

     On Monday, March 20^th I saw my first Rose-breasted Grosbeak for the year here in North Alabama.  As I have mentioned in the past I get rose-breasted for about two weeks in the spring and fall.  Of course, spring is when they are in prime plumage and the birds I have been seeing are absolutely perfect.  I shot this male grosbeak on its nesting grounds at Hartwick Pines State Park just outside of Grayling, Michigan.  I hope to shoot a few here before they move on north, and again at Magee Marsh, Ohio in a couple of week.  Hope you get these beautiful birds at your feeders this spring also.

NIkon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/80 second @ f/4

Pic of the Day

     Kirtland’s Warbler on Jack Pine – Grayling, Michigan:  After flying from the Bahamas this fellow went right to work establishing a nesting territory among the Jack Pines in the upper part of lower Michigan. 

      Jack Pine Warbler, is another name for the Kirtland’s, as the Jack Pine ecosystem is the only habitat this bird uses to nest.  The bird is a ground nester and prefers trees that are about 4 to 20 feet in height to nest under.  This bird was in perfect Kirtland’s habitat with trees 8 to 12 years old and 4 to 10 feet tall. 

      The nesting grounds of the Kirtland’s is closed to the public so I had to take the tour to have any hope of getting shots of the bird on it’s nesting ground.  This is the fourth time I have driven to Graying to see the bird and this time was the first encounter that left me with some nice photos of the bird.   After shooting a male singing in a deciduous tree I came across this bird singing while perched in a Jack Pine.  This bird put on quite a show and gave me the opportunity to shoot a lot of images.  I went on the tour 3 more mornings, but none gave me better shots.  I’ll post a few more Kirtland’s over the next few days.  


Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/1,600 sec. @ f5