Pic of the Day

Tennessee Warbler, Leiothlypis peregrina:  Magee Marsh, Ohio

                                   Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus:  Magee Marsh, Ohio

     With its gray cap, green back and slender bill the Tennessee Warbler is quite a dapper fellow in the tree tops during migration.  This spring I saw an abundance of Tennessee Warblers at Magee Marsh where they stopped to refuel before heading on to their boreal forest breeding grounds. 

     Many people were confusing the Warbling Vireo with this handsome fellow.  Though some may think they look similar, they do look quite different as these two photos show.  The Tennessee has that sleek thin beak where the Warbling Vireo as a stout hooked beek.  The dark eyeline and green back of the Tennessee is also absent in the vireo.

     They are not just different in appearance, but very different in behavior as well.  The Warbling Vireo methodically moves from branch to branch with a fairly  consistent foraging speed, the Tennessee Warbler on the other hand, moves like lighting in comparison.  This behavior easily separates the two species.

     Of course, I love photographing both, and though I have just returned from Magee Marsh I am already dreaming of next spring.  But in the mean time, I’ll prepare to photograph these lovely jewels on their return migration in the fall. 

Top photo: Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/320 sec. @ f/6.3

Bottom photo: Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/640 sec. @ f/8

Pic of the Day

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio

     The House Sparrow was introduced in New York City, in 1852 and has spread as far south as Panama, and as far west as the Northwest Territories.  It is well adapted to human habitation and is at home in both urban and rural habitats.  House Sparrows typically avoid extensive woodlands, (the reason I have never had one at my feeders), grasslands, and deserts where there is no human development. 

       House Sparrows frequently build nests in eaves and other house crevices, holes in cliffs and banks, and nest boxes.  The latter puts the sparrow in competition with bluebirds, tree swallows and other cavity nesting birds.  This particular bird was jostling with Tree Swallows over a nest box in Ottawa NWR south of Lake Erie.   I did not stay in the area long enough to see who actually won the box.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/400 second @ f/7.1

To lean more about the House Sparrow visit:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_sparrow 

Pic of the Day

Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor:  Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio

    Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is a 6,500 acre remnant of the once 1,500 square miles Great Black Swamp that bordered the southern coast of Lake Erie.  Ottawa, along with Magee Marsh, Crane Creek, and Black Swamp Bird Observatory, is a vital part of the habitat so important to migratory birds as they travel north and south.  It is also important to resident and breeding birds that make these sanctuaries home.

     This Tree Swallow is one of thousands that nest in Ottawa NWR.  I found it perched on a limb adjacent to a nest box in which it was building a nest.  Tree Swallows are one of my favorite subjects.  When shooting is slow I can always count on a Tree Swallow being near the many nest boxes in the refuge.

     This little guy was more than happy to pose for the camera, and a little gust of wind provided the opportunity to get a shot with open wings as it tried to balance itself in the breeze.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/100 second @ f8