Cerulean Warbler

Another bird thats even harder to spot, let alone photograph is the Cerulean Warbler... I have very few pictures of this beautiful little bird....

One morning while out walking a path here in the backyard looking for the Scarlet Tanagers I heard a song from a bird I had never heard before..... It was coming from back further in the woods from way up in the canopy.....It took me over an hour just to spot this little bird, and another four hours before I was able to get my first photograph..... I spent a total of six hours back there trying to photograph this one......

Has anyone ever tried to photograph one of these!.... I never worked a bird as hard as I had to with this guy...Anyway, heres the results of my efforts..... Not the best shots but at least I got a couple..... Hope you enjoy them...

....Dave

and the other one...

Oh Great job Dave! Thank You!

Oh Dave, you did great! That's dedication! I'd have given up well before 6 hours!
Thanks for these pictures. I have a feeling it's the only way I'll ever see one of these beautiful birds.
DebinSC

Wow, great shots! I think I may have to spend some time in the woods this summer looking for the little fellow, according to the map I looked at, I should have a chance at having them here. I don't think I'd have your patience though!

A seriously endangered species . . . more details here:
http://www.abcbirds.org/international/cerw.htm

Resin

This is a bird I have wanted to see so bad. Very lucky.

I had to come back and look again. I am wondering if this same bird stayed in the tree for so long, or there was more than one. I have always had to give up after alot shorter than six hours, becuase of the camera battery. This is probably a very ignorant question, but how do you keep the camera going that long. Its one of my biggest issue. Loosing battery power and 1000 bad pictures before i get the right one.

Keep a couple of spare batteries in the camera bag :-)

Use rechargeables.

Resin

LOL...thats my problem...my perfect shot, is always the one, when i need to do something with the camera. I have an old camera i am about to ditch, good pictures, but no rechargeables. I wasted and entire set of lithium batteries ( and they last pretty long) just day before yesterday, trying to get a picture of a yellow breasted warbler. Still no picture, but at least they are still around so I can try again.

I do have a robin question. there seems to be one lone robin left in the yard. third day now. will it find the other robins again? Can they 'navigate' alone.

excellent, i have truely been worried. i keep seeing that hawk picture on the threads, with the robin in its mouth. Just want it to at least have a chance. Have a good one.

Dave, nice photos. Although occasionally sighted here in Maryland, I have yet to see one. As Resin indicated, their population has dwindled significantly. Patience often pays off but I think six (6) hours is pushing my limit. Hopefully, you didn't suffer from the "warbler neck" syndrome one suffers from constant peering into the treetops.

What a precious bird! Another one that I am assuming we don't get out this way - seems like the only "blue" birds we get are the Stellers Jays (in multitude) and I know there is a Western Bluebird, but I've never seen it.

Resin;,,
Had no idea it was endangered .... Thanks for posting the link.....

gardenglory;,,
I always carry an extra battery...... It only takes once to learn that mistake..... There was only that one bird... I haven't seen one since, but you can bet I'll be listening for that song this summer..... I'll never forget it.....

linthicum;,,

I had a sore neck for two days after that........Next time I take a chair when trying to photograph this bird...... Alot of looking up, as this little fellow liked to stay high in the canopy......

I think the best way to get a chance to see this bird, is learn it's song, and then be prepared to spend alot of time looking up.....


....Dave

What a lovely little bird! Thanks soooo much for you extrordinary efforts!

Did you report this sighting to your local Audoban Society and Ranger Station? Since you have documentation, they should really be interested.

Wow Dave, I'm really impressed! BEAUTIFUL photos!! And what a great capture story to go along with the great photos. I wish I lived in your neighborhood so I could "tag along" lol. (I can see it now... Dave moving in 6 months to get away from the pest next door ROFLOL)

Great shots! I have only seen 2 of these cuties at my house and they were at the very edge of our lot. Thanks for the close-up photos.

Lily, we could be Dave's "groupies" and follow him all around!! What a mental picture THAT is!!

tigerlily;..


I didn't report it...... I never knew it was that rare and endangered.....


....Dave

Murmur;,,

You and lilyfantn >> To hilarious!!

....Dave

Ha ha - great idea Murmur!!

Whether critters are endangered or not, your Ranger Station might be interested in your area (their district) photos. I've shared mine since I got my first digital, and it's kinda cool to go in there and see some of my photos posted. Both flora and fauna.

And for those of you that may not be aware, it just might be the best place around for nature books.