Connecticut Warbler

Yesterday we went looking for and actually found the holy-grail of the northern bogs, the Connecticut warbler. It was named so because Connecticut is where the first specimen was collected, but it does not breed there and is only an occasional migrant. They winter in northern S. America and nest in northern spruce bogs, but are everywhere uncommon. The MN Department of Natural Resources, some years ago, built a 1.1 mile boardwalk out into the Red Lake Bog. This bog comprises 500 square miles, is the largest spruce bog in the 48 states, and is bigger than the state of Rhode Island. The boardwalk traverses otherwise impenetrable terrain. But it gives access to excellent habitat for this species, coveted by birdwatchers everywhere. It's a species I have never seen before and certainly have never photographed.

Marvelous shots. I'm so jealous...

Excellent captures Al.

"coveted by birdwatchers everywhere"- is an understatement! This would be a lifer for me also. What fantastic shots of a bird a lot of birders will never even see. Very well done.

Congratulations, Al! That's quite a catch!

greyswan wrote in post #18033510
Marvelous shots. I'm so jealous...

grizzerbear wrote in post #18033546
Excellent captures Al.

cavuken wrote in post #18033732
"coveted by birdwatchers everywhere"- is an understatement! This would be a lifer for me also. What fantastic shots of a bird a lot of birders will never even see. Very well done.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #18033757
Congratulations, Al! That's quite a catch!

Thank you all very much for sharing in my excitement. I read a little about this species last night. So uncommon are they that the first one was collected by Wilson in the earlier 1800s (in Connecticut) and it wasn't until 70 years later that the second was collected in Manitoba by Ernest Thompson Seton.

Awesome find Al, and many congrats on getting such terrific shots.

Great shots, Al. Especially like the first one.

Excellento. Congrats and a great shot.

Wallace River wrote in post #18033897
Awesome find Al, and many congrats on getting such terrific shots.

philk54 wrote in post #18033899
Great shots, Al. Especially like the first one.

mn shutterbug wrote in post #18034028
Excellento. Congrats and a great shot.

Thank you guys; I appreciate it.

Such a rare bird. I'd wager that few folks have shots like this. Congratulations!

Markmcc wrote in post #18035140
Such a rare bird. I'd wager that few folks have shots like this. Congratulations!

The more I read about them, the more I'm inclined to agree with you. Thanks for commenting.

Great job Al. Beautiful.

Lovely shots

Well taken Al.