There seemed to be a lot of small birds in the trees this past weekend, mostly hidden in the foliage. I did manage to get a shot of this pretty little bird, which I think is a Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus). The eye does not look as bright red as in some of the images that I see on-line of this bird, but most of the other characteristics seem to match pretty well.
We seem to be moving into the prime season for birds and my bird identification guide (I was given a Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America by a dear friend) now has a prominent spot on my desk. Unlike some of the birders that I encounter, I don’t carry around a field guide when I am shooting—I don’t like to have my head buried in a book and potentially miss some action shots.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Interesting-I wonder why its eyes are red when other bird’s aren’t. I don’t expect you to know the answer to that question, but things like that interest me.
That’s a fascinating question, especially since I noticed that there is also a White-eyed Vireo. Red eyes may not be too common in birds, but I seem to recall that male Wood Ducks have striking red eyes
Wonderful photo, Mike. Many bird species have red eyes, but unlike the condition in humans (a result of albinism, or lack of pigment), red eyes in birds are most likely a product of pigment in the iris. Eye color in birds is important in distinguishing sex or age of individuals, and can change (via hormones) during the breeding season. Thanks for suggesting a great topic for my blog!
That is a lovely little bird. Vireos are summer residents here in Chicago and are now in the process of packing up and migrating south for the winter. I’ve seen a lot of birds on the move the past week or so. A lot of them warblers.
I never carry a field guide when out birding. If I don’t have my camera or can’t get the shot I take notes and look up the bird when I get home.