Willow thickets along small streams are prime nesting habitat for for many small subarctic birds. The yellow Wilson's Warblers are common in the willow thickets, but trying to get a good look at one is a challenge. Getting a good picture of these tiny birds, takes a bit of luck.
Many warblers, including the Wilson's can be called by making a "Pisssss" sound. I played cat & mouse with this Wilson's Warbler for about a half an hour, and this was the best shot I took. I was at the edge of a willow thicket and called the warbler in by making the pisssss sound. It was constantly bouncing around in the bushes, most of the time less than ten feet away. I seldom saw more the a small patch of yellow through the leaves.
This male Wilson's Warbler, with his black cap, was cooperative and sat in the open singing for a couple of minutes, posing for several good shots.
This is a male Blackpoll Warbler.
I believe this is a newly fledged Blackpoll Warbler, Resin can correct me if I'm wrong.
Oh, I forgot to mention the reason there are so many birds in this area is because the many insects are so thick they sometimes form clouds......and they all bite humans!
In the open tundra, away from the willow thickets, Savannah Sparrows were so abundant I only took pictures when one was very close, and in good light. I am particularly pleased with the detail I was able to capture when this one landed next to me.
The Willow Ptarmigan in North America is know as the Red-grouse in Europe. This is a male.
The female Willow Ptarmigan is more a mottled brown, than the red of her mate.
This is one of the Ptarmigan chicks in the brood belonging to the above parents. Even though the chicks were only a 1/3 the size the parents, they could fly surprised well.
The first of the week I took a three day trip, driving about 600 miles, in a loop, to photograph birds in the remote alpine tundra along the Denali Hwy. These are just a few of the pictures. I'll post a few more as I finish sorting.
Wonderful thread Gary! I love all these birds.
You caught some beautiful birds there. That Ptarmigan seems like its coloring fits well into the brush for protection. Cute babies! Hope you'll find more to share with us.
Thanks for this great thread! More birds that I have never seen in person! and so interesting!
There are many shallow road side ponds along the highway with shorebirds nesting near by. This Semipalmated Plover stood watch over his territory from a rock in the middle of the pond.
When I approached the pond, the Semipalmated Plover got off his rock, and tried to lead me away from his nesting territory, giving me an opportunity for a few close up shots.
Very nice shots! They are such handsome birds!
