Now You See Them...

 ...Now You Don't...

 Black-and-White Warblies are my favorites! Now, wait for him to come down a little...wait...wait...

One of the many reasons I don't chase rarities(besides being too cheap to use the gas) is the famous..."You just missed it by five minutes!" line that I ALWAYS hear. "Oh, if you could have been here just a second ago..." ARGH!!! 

So...this is a series of shots I took at Magee Marsh this past Sunday to show what happens between one frame and the next...usually less than a second apart!

(By the way, these photos are NOT cropped at all, they are just as I shot them...)

 Nope. Instead of creeping down the rest of the way, like he had been doing, zoom, off he goes.

How often do you see a Black-throated Blue Warbly this close? 

Maybe he'll turn to the side...or flash his booty!

 Nope. Flew away...try again...

 This was a very curious Black-throated Green Warbly...

 Uh...where'd he go?

 That's okay, here's another Black-throated Green...

 Oops, I thought he was here a second ago...nutz.

 Oh my, Blackburnian Warblies have beautiful colors on their throat...

 ...and there she goes...I'll show you next time...rrrrrr......

 Yes, a Cape May Warbly down low for a change...

"Here's a Cape May for you to look ...at...what?"

 Honest he was down this low!

 Fine, hey, quick! A Chestnut-sided Warbly!

 ...never mind...

 Oooo...another Chestnut-sided Warbly! Quick!

 Nope...gone...this is why I don't lead bird walks...

 Magnolia Warblies have a gorgeous pattern on their throats...

 ...not that you'll see it on this one...

 Now if he'll only turn a little more away from that branch...

 ...AAAHHHHH!!! And straight at my lens!!

 It was a great day to see Northern Parulas!

 Just like this one...um...well...

 That's okay, there were lots of Northern Parulas out.

Maybe we'll get to see the bright yellow and black pattern of his throat...

 ..or maybe not...

 There were rumors of birds other than warblies out Monday...

I hate rumors...but I did happen to see this Swainson's Thrush down in the wet and gloomy..

 I was hoping he would move away from that obnoxious stick...not a chance...

 Another great opportunity to see a Warbling Vireo down close!

 Apparently he was offending by me shooting his behind...

Angry little guy!

 Oh looky! A Yellow Warbly BELOW eye level!

You're too close! My lens won't focus that close...let me back up a little...

NOOOOO!!! He decided to pretend to be a vampire and lunge at me...silly bird...

Okay, that's enough silliness for now. Sunday was a day of AWFUL weather...cold and windy with rain, snow and sleet...and sun...and rain...and more sleet...and a little sun...and rain...and it was cold. The perfect weather for warbly watching at Magee! The birds come down low to feed on insects that are also avoiding the wind, cold, rain, sleet, snow and whatever else was happening up high.

I spent the day, didn't get frostbite, learned that I should ALWAYS bring extra clothes...and food...and shot over 1000 photos! These are the ones that stood out and I thought I would share these first. There will be plenty more in the days ahead!

WARBLYPALOOZA!!!