Bay Breasted Warbler

After a nearly bird-less July, today saw the first mixed-species 'wave' of birds move through our property as they usually do, beginning in August. I was thrilled to capture this breeding plumage male as I have only one other somewhat poor shot of one; this one I can live with! I see the species here rarely and usually later in the fall in their basic plumage; still attractive, but not so much as this fellow.

That's a beautiful little bird.
Lovely natural looking shot.

Remarkable difference in their look/color from when they are through Texas in the spring headed your way, WoW! Nice shot of it.

Very nice, Al.

avondale87 wrote in post #18675900
That's a beautiful little bird.
Lovely natural looking shot.

Thank you. They certainly are beautiful and I am very pleased to have gotten the shot.

Will in Tejas wrote in post #18675905
Remarkable difference in their look/color from when they are through Texas in the spring headed your way, WoW! Nice shot of it.

Thank you for commenting, Will. This is a breeding-plumage male so you should see them in spring, looking this way, in spring in Texas; females, however, are much more subdued and perhaps that is what you have seen.

ardeekay wrote in post #18676308
Very nice, Al.

Thank you, Rog.

CDMOOSE wrote in post #18676312
Thank you for commenting, Will. This is a breeding-plumage male so you should see them in spring, looking this way, in spring in Texas; females, however, are much more subdued and perhaps that is what you have seen.

Al we get to see them after coming over the Gulf of Mexico on their long trip to the breeding ground so we rarely see the full breeding plumage.

Will in Tejas wrote in post #18676727
Al we get to see them after coming over the Gulf of Mexico on their long trip to the breeding ground so we rarely see the full breeding plumage.

Most interesting; thank you Will.

Excellent shot Al, love the studio-like light. I've never been fortunate enough to see one of these beauties.

Nighthound wrote in post #18677308
Excellent shot Al, love the studio-like light. I've never been fortunate enough to see one of these beauties.

Thank you, Steve, for your kind comment. I rarely see them myself and mostly they are not males in breeding plumage. They are always a high-value target for me.

awesome shot Al. wish the reference books were as detailed

CaptBob wrote in post #18682685
awesome shot Al. wish the reference books were as detailed

Thanks for your kind words, Bob; I appreciate it.

This is possibly my favourite north American warbler, possibly because the lack of yellows and greens sets it apart from the rest. The nearly black background isn't ideal here, but the bird is well presented. I'd be very happy with this shot.

Jack Dawe wrote in post #18683697
This is possibly my favourite north American warbler, possibly because the lack of yellows and greens sets it apart from the rest. The nearly black background isn't ideal here, but the bird is well presented. I'd be very happy with this shot.

Thanks for commenting. The females can sport a fair amount of yellowish-green, but I agree the males are most singular. I quite like the dark green, uncluttered background as it very much highlights the bird without distracting elements.

Lovely shot!

Daxiesmum wrote in post #18684788
Lovely shot!

Thank you; I appreciate it.