Male Common Yellowthroat - taken August 2017


This is the time of year where I do very little photography.  Although opportunity still exists for discovery of scenes and creatures, it isn't at all like the summer when such things abound.  It is for this reason that I will create some blogs on photos of the past.  I don't have a plan for what they will be, but I hope to follow inspiration and see where it leads.

Yellowthroats are a type of warbler and are found throughout most of Canada south of the territories and much of the US, except where it is very dry.  I have seen them numerous times, but rarely get such a good photo.  I took this in the Creston valley of BC, a place with lots of wetlands and great opportunities for discovering wildlife.  Some of my best bird photos have come from this area.

Although I have only ever seen them in fresh water wetlands, they also inhabit drier areas; in both they are fond of dense bush where they can easily hide and build a secretive nest.  They are insectivores and consume a wide variety of these invertebrates gleaned from branches or on the wing.  

The males are easily identified from the yellow breast and black face mask.  It turns out the black mask is an important marker for territorial disputes amongst males.  Females don't have the black or white facial marks.  Scientists placed a stuffed female with a false black mask and noted that males soon began attacking the would-be intruder.  When not in breeding, the birds tend to be solitary.

I photographed the bird with my D500 (which I still own and love) and my 80-400 S-series zoom.  I also still have the zoom, although it takes second place to my 500mm PF prime lens that is my go-to for most wildlife photography.  I like the zoom when I am in places that require a shorter focal length than what the 500 offers; this includes zoos, conservatories, and such.  Together they are all I really need.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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