This weekend I headed out to a local park in search of some good bird sightings. I love this time of year as the mornings are cold and the variety of birds is at it's best. The park I visited typically has Indigo Buntings in the area, but I could not get a good picture last year. The Buntings are either too high in the tree or in areas that can't be accessed. Also, to make it even harder, female buntings are not blue! So now I have to find a male bunting in the right place. Despite all that, I am happy to report that on this outing I got my best picture to date of an Indigo Bunting!
Indigo buntings are known for their bright blue plumage, which is not actually a pigment, but rather a visual effect created by the microscopic structure of their feathers.
I found this blue beauty by listening for their distinct calls and getting into a position where I could spot him. Even with binoculars, I have a really hard time seeing them in the trees. One would expect this bright blue would stand out more, but I just can't spot them. I scanned the tree as quickly as I could, just hoping he wouldn’t fly away before I could locate him. Once I got eyes on, he was only in the lower part of the trees for a brief moment before heading higher. I was just happy to get to see him and get this great picture.
Next I came across a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers getting a nest ready. If I waited just a second longer, the one on the right was just about to fly out of the hole. I missed a good action shot 😦
I sometimes head out in the morning in search of something specific. Maybe it’s a fox or maybe it is a migratory bird in the area such as a Cedar Waxwing. But I often find that you will come across something interesting or unexpected, even if it’s not what your searching for. Here are some of the various wildlife I saw such as Cardinals, Kingbirds, and Squirrels. And sometimes the surrounding itself makes for a good picture.
Just when I thought the day was over, as I headed out of the park, I came across a new bird I have never before seen. Deep in the dark wooded area was a Black-throated Blue Warbler.
This outing really invigorated my passion for wildlife photography and exploring new areas. I can’t wait until my next opportunity to get out exploring.