Black-throated Blue Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2026 — This warbler seems to always be buried in leaves and branches, but it gave us a few good views during the Biggest Week in American Birding. There seemed to be a lot of them compared to past years, but the exact timing of migration is never the same year to year. They actually breed in mixed forests at the higher elevations all across the Midwest and Northeast, and will down the Appalachian Mountain chain. Always an interesting bird to see. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at 450mm equivalent. Program with birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

American Redstart: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2026 — This little Redstart was tucked back in a little window of foliage within arm’s reach of the boardwalk rail, and was not bothered by a couple of photographers blocking his view—or maybe from the look on his face—not bothered much. 🙂 Redstarts might have been the second most present warbler in the marsh this week. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at 450mm equivalent field of view. Program with birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Bay-breasted Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2026 — Another warbler coming through the marsh in numbers the past few days—the Bay-breasted, named for that rusty bib. The black face contrast’s nicely. The Bay-breasteds nest in the dense spruce and fir forests of the boreal belt across Canada, just dipping into the US from northern Maine to the mountains of New York State. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at 450mm equivalent field of view. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Magnolia Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2026 — I may have mentioned how difficult it is to photograph warblers at Magee this year. The leaves are full out. I cannot count the number of photos I have of pieces of this spectacular warbler—the Magnolia Warbler—showing through the leaves. Still, one good shot is all anyone needs, and more than anyone deserves. Such a gift. 🙂 And there is still tomorrow. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at 450mm equivalent field of view from about 4 feet. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Chestnut-sided Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, Ohio, May 2026 — Today was a Chestnut-sided Warbler day at Magee. When they come through in numbers, there is no bird more confiding. They will work, like the Prothonotaries, within a few inches of the boardwalk rail, with a crowd of birders and photographers looking on. This is a full-frame shot, not cropped at all, at 450mm equivalent from just over 3 feet. Part of the attraction of Magee Marsh in May. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Blackburnian Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, Ohio, May 2026 — Another warbler I always look forward to seeing at Magee each May. We get them in Maine, but by the time they get to us, they are feeding in the very tops of the trees. Seeing them at and below eye level is always a treat. The leaves being full out continues to present a challenge, and this bright male was skulking deep in the brush but close to the boardwalk. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary. Program with birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Prothonotary Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2026 — The thing you soon notice about Prothonotary Warblers, right after the eye-popping yellow of them, is that they have absolutely no fear of human beings. At Magee, where they nest every year, they come within 18 inches of your camera lens, sometimes closer. I have had them land on the boardwalk railing a few inches from my elbow. I have had them fly between my feet. The main issue when photographing them is that most telephoto lenses do not focus close enough. 🙂 My Sigma 16-300 Contemporary is the ideal lens for Prothonotaries. This shot is from about 3 feet away, and only cropped for composition, and even on a decent-sized phone screen it is going to almost life-sized. On a tablet or laptop it will be life-sized or larger. Sony a6700. Program mode with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Northern Parula: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2026 — Warblers at Magee this year with the foliage full out are a wait-and-see game. Patience. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at about 800mm equivalent field of view. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Piping Plover: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, May 2026 — If you watch plovers for long, you will see one of this thing with the wing—the wing thing. I assume they are stretching the wing to settle the feathers. Only one wing at a time as they support the wing with an extended leg and foot. Like so many things in this life—it is a matter of balance. Sony a7CR. Tamron 150-500 at about 800 equivalent. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Garter Snake: Emmons’ Preserve, Kennebunkport, Maine, USA, May 2026 — I know snakes are not everyone’s favorite creature, but they have, to my eye, a beauty all their own. Not cuddly by any means, but if you admire efficiency, the snake is kind of elegant with efficiency. And it is hard to miss the intelligence in the eye. This is a relatively large Garter snake, going on 4 feet long, and rather than slither away under the leaves, it chose to freeze in place, head up and alert. I spent 10 minutes with it, and it was still in this pose when I walked on. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at 450mm and 77mm equivalent fields of view. Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.