Chestnut-sided Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2024 — Chestnut-sided Warblers were among the most abundant warblers at Magee this year. They often are, but the lack of numbers among other species really made it stand out this year. As usual, the Chestnut-sided was also among the most photographically cooperative, feeding at and below eye-level and right next to the boardwalk, though the leaves this year made more challenging. I have lots of photos of Chestnut-sided. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Blackburnian Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2024 — Looking back through my photos from the Biggest Week in American Birding, I have, actually, quite a few shots of Blackburnian Warbler, one of my favorites, even though I am pretty sure I only saw 3 individuals. Here he is in full song. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator. The Blackburnian, by the way, is one of the birds due for a name change, since it was named after a person, Anna Blackburne, an English naturalist. And it is one of those birds for which I can not imagine a better name 🙁

Palm Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Crane Creek State Park, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2024 — Still photos of the Palm Warbler never do it justice as its primary “tell”…the thing that allows you to recognize it as Palm and not something else, is the constant tail bobbing. Still, it is an attractive warbler whenever seen and however recognized. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Northern Parula: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Crane Creek State Park, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2024 — Sometimes a bird just poses for you, as this Northern Parula did along the boardwalk one day during the Biggest Week in American Birding. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Northern Parula: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Crane Creek State Park, Oak Harbor, Ohio, May 2024 — As I may have mentioned, there were lots and lots of Parulas along the boardwalk at Magee…almost as many as Yellow Warblers. Actually the numbers might have been “normal” but compared to other species, which were sparse, they seemed high. I came away with one of almost every possible pose. 🙂 (Exaggeration) OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Prothonotary Warbler: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Crane Creek State Park, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2024 — As I have said before, sometimes the Prothonotary Warblers are too close for comfort at Magee. It seems each year at least one pair builds a nest in one or another of the uprights that hold up the boardwalk rail. A gap tends to form between the upright and the rail where insects gather, and where woodpeckers come to get them, and, in digging them out, enlarge the gap until there is a hole big enough for a Prothonotary nest. The rangers come and put hazard tape either side of the nest to give the birds some space, but they seem totally unconcerned about the passing humans, and may, in fact, get some extra protection from their real predators by building so close to human traffic. While building the nest and feeding young they are busy within in feet of the boardwalk and often perch on the rails right in front of astonished birders and tourists. Fun! And it does not seem to any harm to the birds. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400mmIS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Northern Parula: Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, Ohio, USA, May 2024 — I like the delicate leaves and catkins framing this bird, and the subtle hues of the bird itself. I think the out of focus branch crossing just makes the bird look sharper. I might, in another mood, edit it out, but for now it stays as part of the natural composition. There were lots of Parulas this year at Magee. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.